St. Andrew Orthodox Church Tour Pt. 4

[Marcelowallacepaiva]

, but a brand of heterodox. Seats on the sides of the ship are part of the tradition, but as an audience seat theater are foreign to our tradition.

I say godbye asking for your prayers,

Marcelo ,from Brazil.

[Marcelowallacepaiva]

Dear Father Josiah,

I ask your blessing!

As an orthodox Christian, I was very happy with the construction of such a beautiful holy temple, so right in so many of our sacred symbols.

However, I did not understand the reason for seats in the nave of the church, something that is not an orthodox tradition (the people standing part of divine service),

[missseraphimarose]

@Marcelowallacepaiva Greetings in Christ,

I am only speaking from experience, I am not a theologian nor very well edcuated in orthodoxy. Lord forgive me if I am incorrect. I have visited a few monasteries with these seats and those are for the old or people who are unable (for health reasons) to stand for long periods of time. I asked the same question and that is what I was told by a layperson and a priest. In Russian churches sometimes they have a few pews in the back for such people.

[Marcelowallacepaiva]

Dear@missseraphimarose,

For certain, there have always been seats at the side parts os the temples, and these are not only for elders, but also for those parts in the liturgy when people are allowed to sit (Catismas).

[Marcelowallacepaiva]

However, what is not in agreement with Orthodox tradition, are the seats in front of the altar. This is a unorthodox Christianity habit. Orthodox people celebrates along with the clergy and the heavenly angels. There are no “spectators” of the Divine Service, comfortably seated in armchairs, as if in a theater.

With love in Christ,

Deacon Marcelo (Paiva)

[adamantis4657]

@Marcelowallacepaiva: PEWS and CHAIRS

Are COMPLETELY UNORTHODOX. We do not SIT during the Holy and Divine MYSTERIES. This is a cheap copy of PROTESTANTS.

St. Ephraim the Syrian writes that it is not even allowed to step from one foot to the other.

Sitting is not allowed and with pews and chairs believers CAN NOT MAKE PROSTRATIONS - I am curious how they will prostrate during Liturgy? Because during Weekdays Liturgies (not on Sunday) we prostrate UNCEASINGLY DURING LITURGY

[adamantis4657]

@Marcelowallacepaiva: Orthodox Churches in USA

Many Orthodox Churches in USA have PEWS and CHAIRS and many other INNOVATIONS.

Even ORGANS, people do not prostrate, women do not cover their hair, etc...THESE CHURCHES ARE NOT ORTHODOX ANYMORE. They have lost HOLY ORTHODOXY

Like Blessed Seraphim Rose said: SUFFERING ORTHODOXY....

[adamantis4657]

@missseraphimarose: A few chairs:

Yes, in many Russian Churches there u will find a FEW chairs IN THE BACK of the Church. BUT ONLY FOR THOSE WHO CAN NOT STAND - this is an EXCEPTION

Only an EXCEPTION.