www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Hand-Kissing

When is it customary to kiss the hand of a priest or bishop?
Is this merely a custom or is it prescribed in some way?
What is the origin/history/meaning of the custom?
Is it comparable to the RC custom of kissing the episcopal ring?
Is the custom observed in all EC, EO and OO Churches?
In those Churches where the custom is observed, is it considered offensive or discourteous not to do so?
Is the custom observed more widely in some places than others?
What might account for this?

I think that the custom varies from Jurisdiction to Jurisdiction. Russian Orthodox tend to ask more formally for a priest's blessing and receive a correspondingly more formal blessing. Many pious Greeks and Arabs simply take a priest's hand and kiss it, not really giving him a chance to make the Sign of the Cross over them first. There are some Orthodox who do not seem to observe the custom of kissing the priest's hand; and there are some Orthodox priests who take every precaution to avoid having their hand kissed.

It is nearly universal for altar servers to kiss the priest's hand when giving or taking the censer (and other sacred objects) from him. It is fairly common for all brands of Orthodox to kiss the priest's hand when kissing the hand Cross offered to them or taking the Antidoron from his hands.

I can't speak about the customs of Greek Catholics, though I see no reason why they would differ from their Orthodox counterparts.

Fr David Straut

I have found UGCC Priests like that too


I have done this in Orthodox Churches and one UGCC Church but not in my own Parish .

One does indeed find a minority of priests and even bishops who attempt to prevent the believers from kissing their hands. To put it bluntly, this is a false humility, being actually a form of pride (as if to imply either that I know better than the Church, or that you are unworthy to kiss my hand!).

There are various ways to suggest that such chutzpah is inappropriate.

Fr. Serge

Yes, this is true. We, in the Greek tradition, just take the priest's hand and kiss it. We don't expect a blessing in return.

There are some Greek priests in the U.S. (usually the ones without any beard and wearing a Roman collar) who came of age in a certain Protestantized mindset in our archdiocese, who do not want their hands kissed.

I have heard guests in church who are not Orthodox say under their breath: "I am not going to take the bread "(antidoron), or "I am not going to kiss anyone's hand".

Ofcourse, hand kissing was very much the norm in formal society throughout the world up until its waning in the 20th century.

In 1981, I was with my husband in Lisbon on a business trip, and the person there from the office he was visiting would kiss my hand everytime he saw me. It was rather nice and respectful.

The Turks kiss the hand of their elders in the family and then put their forehead to the hand. It is very nice and respectful.

Alice

I think that we SHOULD in fact ask for the Priest's blessing and kiss his hand when the blessing is given. This is not only proper form, but in kissing the hand of the priest we actually kiss the Hand that gives the blessing which is the hand of the Christ.

Priests who take precautions to avoid getting their hand kissed are in all actuality the problem. They confuse the faithful. With all dew respect they should accept this sign of reverence with humility, patience and love.

That is just my take on it.

Subdeacon Borislav,

What is proper is cultural, and is often different in the Middle Eastern vs. Slavic traditions, therefore, both are proper!!

Alice

I do not disagree with your statement Alice, but I have always asked for a blessing and have received the blessing of both Arabic and Greek priests and bishops especially.

/shrug

I don't think that Sub Deacon Borislav is talking about one tradition versus the other .

To my mind - and I'm probably wrong , he is talking about instances in the same tradition - ie for me , UGCC priests who do not appreciate their hand being kissed after giving a blessing , and those who 'expect' and accept it.

As many know it is customary, at least in the Slavic tradition, for two Priests to kiss each others hand when meeting. During one such meeting I witnessed a young priest pull his hand away when the elder was going to go through with this customary greeting.

The elder priest looked at the younger and said. "Oh, I am sorry, I thought you were a priest".

Now I do not suggest we start going around and doing that to priests who pull their hand away, but it does make a rather amusing and educational anecdote, don't you think?

Dear Subdeacon,

I obviously can't be sure, but I have certainly said precisely that myself on similar occasions!

But Catherine Doherty, of holy memory, outdid me. She always knelt for a priest's blessing and always kissed his hand. On one unforgettable occasion the priest gave the blessing with obvious reluctance and then yanked his hand back. She got up on her feet, looked at him with utter contempt, and said loudly "Who the [bleep] do you think you are? It wasn't your hand that I wanted to kiss!"

I could continue with such anecdotes, but I think that one is enough for now!

Fr. Serge

Unfortunately it is uncommon in the Ruthenian Church to do as such. I generally try to do it when I first meet a priest, but I tend to get odd looks or responses, so I generally just do the "Greek" tradition. I tend to walk the middle line, whether I want to or not (for this tradition).

That being......?!?

(I am sorry, I don't follow)

Thanks,
Alice

Melkites also put their forehead in the priest`s hand after having kissed it. So I imagine all melkite orthodoxs (of Antioch, Alexandria and Jerusalem) do it, even because here in Rio is a guy from Congo, from the Patriarcate of Alexandria, who kissed my parish priest`s hand and put his forehead in it.

Roman Catholics used to do this as well.

I did this a few months ago to an African priest at the local parish church, and he looked at me, surprised, and said, "Oh! Well, thank you!" ...or some such remark. I just had to give a little chuckle, because it was obvious that he had no clue what was going on.

Alexis