www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Why do the Orthodox touch the floor?

I've been going to Vespers & Matins at different Orthodox churches and have noticed that Orthodox Christians cross themselves three times and touch the floor while venerating an icon. Could somebody please explain the significance of this?
Thanks, Wolfgang

A metanoia is both a sign of humility and reverence. They are used when prostrations are not allowed.

Andrew

or if you could bang yourself off a pew

Dear Pyrohy,

Don't laugh - I once read a Russian article on prostrations that insisted people touch their foreheads to their hands that are on the floor rather than bang their heads on the floor so as to call attention to themselves . . .

Alex

Dear Wolfgang,

As the other posters said, it is a sign of reverence, much like the beautiful and admirable genuflections which our Roman Catholic brothers and sisters do when they are infront of the altar upon entering a pew and at other times.

This particular sign, called a 'metanoia' (which literally means a 'turning around of the eye of the heart' or less literally-a repentance) as Andrew correctly stated, is most used by the Greek Orthodox. The Russian church generally use bows and/or prostrations instead as a sign of reverence. Ofcourse these are interchangeable for all Orthodox despite their particular cultural tradition.

Hope this helps!

In Christ,
Alice

"Spiritual exercises brethren, Spiritual exercises of course!"
Stephanos I

For your sins Stephanos you are to visit one Russian Church for the liturgy of the presanctified and do all the liturgical pushups that they do as part of the service. then we will see whose laughing

ICXC
NIKA

Alex may be aware of this, but the Old Ritualists actually have thin pillows they place in front of them in order to prevent themselves from banging their heads on the ground when making prostrations. They seem to enjoy decorating them also. I was given one as a gift from a member of the Old Rite parish in Erie.

In IC XC,
Father Anthony+

I think there is a matter of keeping their hands clean in the process of doing their prostrations. That in the Erie service book.

ICXC
NIKA

Pavel Ivanovich,
That I do quite often. I try to do all the metanoias and prostrations and I dont laugh its entirely serious.
Stephanos I
Unworthy monk and Arch sinner.

I have recalled you were in the armed services so you may find this a breeze, being very fit and all.


ICXC
NIKA

Thank You for all your replies. They were very helpful .

Bless Father Anthony!

Yes, I have such a pillow or "poddruchnik" that an Old Believer friend of mine in Kyiv had his mother sew for me - it has a Cross on it and these pillows are sewn in accordance with strict traditional rules!

It is forbidden to have the right hand, by which we make the Sign of the Cross, touch the floor and be soiled etc. (In the Sarum Liturgy, a candidate for baptism has his or her right hand blessed to empower it to make the Sign of the Cross).

Such pillows are even to be found by the iconostasis in Old Believer Churches and also by doorways so that they can make the prostrations before they leave home and after they return. It is common to carry one's pillow to Church as well for prostrations.

One may also use an embroidered cloth for which the East Slavs are famous.

The East Slav practice is also to wear a "poyas" or belt with fringes to Church (I have an Old Believer belt as well!) and also an embroidered shirt (that they call a "rubashka") which is made from the "chrysmo" or white cloth used to wrap us when we are baptised . . .

One doesn't have to be an Old Believer to do this . . . one may be of any age . . .

Kissing your right hand (which I hope you also place on a pillow when you make prostrations so it is clean!), I again invoke your blessing, Father,

Your humble servant,

Alex

I hope you dont have the end of your poyas showing under your coat on cold days or a certain lady we know will think it is the ends of your Pallium and therefore assume you are an Archbishop.

ICXC
NIKA