www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Swinging the censer 360 degrees.

I have seen a few times during Russian Orthodox and Russian Catholic Divine Liturgies in which the priest will swing the censer in a 360 vertical circle before the royal doors when incensing the iconostasis.
Is this only done in Russian churches or is it done in other Orthodox/Byzantine Catholic liturgies as well?
Is there an official rubric to swing the censer in this manner or is this let to the preference of the priest?

Thanks.

In more than 16 years in this rite I've never seen it done there, only in some Anglican churches and not the most RC-like ones.

Not sure you'd call it a rubric, more like common sense or ease of use, more to the point: not spilling hot coals and incense.

The easiest way of bringing the censer with you as you turn from the Holy Doors to the West (i.e., back of the church) is to swing it over you head at the end of the last altar-facing incensation. Otherwise you end up with a quiet period as you turn with the censer held at the bottom of the swing, or some ungainly attempts at keeping incensing while turning.

Of course, one must check the chains well before censing--or trust the qandalaft/sacristan or sub-deacon!

Since I've been a member of the OCA, I've seen this done by just about every priest. Might be a Russian thing. I've never seen a Greek Catholic priest swing it that way.

UGCC and Romanians do it as well. It certainly helps if the priest or deacon have practiced but it certianly helps to turn while still swinging the censer. I first saw it done by a Coptic Orthodox bishop years ago and was impressed as he did this on each side of the altar as he went around. He hit no one and lost no coals.

If I recollect correctly, there is a thread buried somewhere here that relates a few hair-raising tales associated with this.

Many years,

Neil

Yep--this is done in my parish church during processions. Three 360 degree swings by the thurifer when passing in front of the high altar and when the procession is returning back down the main aisle to the sanctuary.

LOL!!! Not at you specifically Etnick...This thread makes me chuckle...I can recall a priest (don't remember if he was BCC or UGCC) about 25 years ago...I loved it, and always managed to "duck" when swung the kadilo...

Yes - we do it in the UGCC. I've been getting more comfortable with the 360 degree swing myself...

It certainly requires a quick wrist and a liitle bit of courage!

(not to mention good peripheral vision! No one wants to take out an acolyte with the censer!)

I've done it both in the Melkite and Latin Churches -- and my Melkite pastor does it as well.

Fr. Deacon Ed

Anyone - Please, please, PLEASE.. post a video of this!

Here is a video on Youtube which shows some 360 swinging of the censer during Pascha at the ROC cathedral in Mayfield, PA.

We're having procession before Mass on Sunday for the Baptism of the Lord, I will try to shoot video of the triple 360 swings the thurifer makes as he passes in front of the high altar. It really is something to see considering the size of the censer and amount of smoke pouring out of it.

Is there any point to it, other than the dramatic flair? LOL.

Alexis

That's the only way I've ever done it (the "cathedral swing" as I was taught) unless it is a mission or outreach situation with a low ceiling.