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Hello, been going to church on Sundays in town road Edmonton arrival 10 15 am and leaving 1 15pm I noticed people getting up and sitting down I’m usually standing most of the time is there a time to sit and stand please explain will be going again Sunday
Answer to Question 533 There are times when the congregation should be standing, but to explain I would have to presume that you know the Liturgy well enough.
After the priest makes the opening blessing “Blessed is the kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Ευλογημένη η Βασιλεία του Πατρός και του Υιού και του Αγίου Πνεύματος) people usually sit and can remain seated during the petitions until they hear the petition “Mindful of our Most holy and undefiled Lady Mother of God…” (Της Παναγίας, αχράντου, υπερευλογημένης, ενδόξου, Δεσποίνης ημών Θεοτόκου και αειπαρθένου Μαρίας…) and the exclamation at the end, when the priest glorifies the Holy Trinity.
During the Antiphones one may be seated until the singing of “O only begotton Son and Word of God…” (Ο Μονογενής Υιός και Λόγος του Θεού, αθάνατος υπάρχων…) where people stand and remain standing for the Little Entrance with the Gospel Book. If you is paying attention you will hear the Priest exclaim “Wisdom Stand steadfast” (Σοφία. Ορθοί) which is telling us that we should be standing to attention.
Next follows the singing of the hymns for the Feasts and various Saints where we may sit, but stand again during the singing of the Thrice-holy hymn (Τρισάγιον ύμνον). One should remain standing until the reading of the Apostle, sit during it, and stand again as soon as it is finished.
Next follows the censing and the reading of the Gospel. As a rule one should be standing whenever the Priest censes, whenever he blesses and in general whenever he comes out of the Sanctuary and faces the people. As the Priest announces the Gospel reading he reminds the People that they should be standing. He says “Wisdom Stand steadfast. Let us hear the Holy Gospel.” At the singing of the Cherubic Hymn we should be standing as very shortly the priest will begin censing. As the gifts pass us during the procession for the Great Entrance we should be standing and bowing slightly.
Again we should be standing for the Kiss of peace and the reciting of the Creed which should be said by everyone. Immediately after the Creed, the Priest says “Let us stand upright, let us stand with fear: let us take heed to present the holy offering in peace”. From here until after the consecration of the Holy Gifts one should be standing.
During the actual consecration of the Gifts we should be bowed to the waist until we hear the words “More especially for our most blessed and glorious Lady Mother of God and Ever Virgin Mary” (Εξαιρέτως της Παναγίας, αχράντου, υπερευλογημένης, ενδόξου, Δεσποίνης ημών Θεοτόκου και αειπαρθένου Μαρίας).
After this we may sit for a short while, but again stand for the Lord’s Prayer and remain standing until the end of the service. As a rule, when in doubt, stand: it is never wrong to stand in church.
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