Genuflection (Latin genuflexio "bending of the knee") is an act of reverence consisting of falling onto (usually) one knee. Today the term is used mostly in the Latin rite of the Catholic Church and in churches of the Anglican Communion. The faithful who pass before the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (generally reserved in the tabernacle) are expected to genuflect on the right knee as a sign of devotion. If the Eucharist is exposed in a monstrance or ciborium placed on an altar for a service of devotion, one may genuflect on both knees (called a "double genuflection"). Genuflection may occur at other times as well, for example when the Blessed Sacrament is being moved (e.g., from one tabernacle to another), or at certain points in the liturgy (e.g., at the words "and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man" in recitation of the Nicene Creed).
Traditionally, the faithful passing in front of the tabernacle during the Mass would genuflect each time he or she passed; however, this practice is now uncommon. Sacristans and those in employ of the church need customarily only make one genuflection, albeit solemnly, when beginning their tasks as they would otherwise involve constant genuflection.
On Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Roman Catholic Churches do not contain the Blessed Sacrament. However, there is a custom whereby the faithful genuflect to the cross on these days, once it has been revealed in the Good Friday service. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Altar of Repose in those days; when passing in front of that Altar, the faithful kneel on both kness and make a profound bow in that position. In churches of the Anglican Communion, it is customary on Good Friday to venerate a large cross or crucifix, and the devotional act may include a simple or double genuflection.
In the Maronite Catholic Church, there is an evocative ceremony of genuflection for the feast of Pentecost. The congregation genuflects first on the left knee to God the Father, then on the right knee to God the Son, and finally on both knees to God the Holy Spirit.
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches generally make a profound bow in the same situations where a Latin rite Catholic would genuflect. In the Roman Catholic and Anglican Communions, a profound bow is an acceptable substitute if one is physically unable to genuflect. Due to Latinisation, however, many still kneel or genuflect in private prayer. It is considered extremely rude to enter a Greek Catholic church and genuflect rather than making a metasis[1] (deep bow paired with crossing oneself) and one should be cautious to follow Greek tradition when in a Greek church.
On Sundays, during the Paschal Season (see Pentecostarion), and on Great Feasts of the Lord, the full prostration is not made in church. On these days, one makes a metania at those places where one would normally make a prostration.
The times for making each of these reverences are fixed by tradition (though they may differ from one ethnic tradition to another), and help to unify the congregation in their active participation in the service.
The Latin Rite is one of the 23 sui iuris
Traditionally, the faithful passing in front of the tabernacle during the Mass would genuflect each time he or she passed; however, this practice is now uncommon. Sacristans and those in employ of the church need customarily only make one genuflection, albeit solemnly, when beginning their tasks as they would otherwise involve constant genuflection.
On Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Roman Catholic Churches do not contain the Blessed Sacrament. However, there is a custom whereby the faithful genuflect to the cross on these days, once it has been revealed in the Good Friday service. The Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the Altar of Repose in those days; when passing in front of that Altar, the faithful kneel on both kness and make a profound bow in that position. In churches of the Anglican Communion, it is customary on Good Friday to venerate a large cross or crucifix, and the devotional act may include a simple or double genuflection.
In the Maronite Catholic Church, there is an evocative ceremony of genuflection for the feast of Pentecost. The congregation genuflects first on the left knee to God the Father, then on the right knee to God the Son, and finally on both knees to God the Holy Spirit.
Members of the Eastern Catholic Churches generally make a profound bow in the same situations where a Latin rite Catholic would genuflect. In the Roman Catholic and Anglican Communions, a profound bow is an acceptable substitute if one is physically unable to genuflect. Due to Latinisation, however, many still kneel or genuflect in private prayer. It is considered extremely rude to enter a Greek Catholic church and genuflect rather than making a metasis[1] (deep bow paired with crossing oneself) and one should be cautious to follow Greek tradition when in a Greek church.
Orthodox Christianity
In the Eastern Orthodox Churches, there are three types of reverences which would generally correspond to the western idea of genuflection:- Bow--this is a simple inclination of the head and shoulders, without bending the knees, after which the worshipper stands upright again. It may be either accompanied by the Sign of the Cross or not, depending upon the situation.[2]
- Metanoia (metany; поясной поклон, poyasnoy poklon)--similar to the bow, only more profound; sometimes referred to as a "bow to the waist." The metanoia always involves making the Sign of the Cross (whether the cross is made before or after the bow depends upon the tradition of the church),[3] bending at the waist (but not bending the knees), so that the worshipper's head reaches the level of his waist, and touching the floor with the fingertips of the right hand. He then immediately stands upright again. The metanoia is an abbreviated form of the full prostration.
- Prostration (земной поклон, zemnoy poklon)--This involves making the Sign of the Cross, bowing down on one's hands and knees and touching the forehead to the floor. One then stands upright.
On Sundays, during the Paschal Season (see Pentecostarion), and on Great Feasts of the Lord, the full prostration is not made in church. On these days, one makes a metania at those places where one would normally make a prostration.
The times for making each of these reverences are fixed by tradition (though they may differ from one ethnic tradition to another), and help to unify the congregation in their active participation in the service.
Notes
1. ^ There is a reverence used by both Orthodox & Eastern Catholics called a "metania," "metany," or "metanoia." The term "metasis" appears to be an error.
2. ^ When bowing before a living person (receiving the blessing of a bishop, priest, etc.) one does not cross oneself, but when bowing before a holy object (being blessed with the Cross or Chalice, an Icon, Relic, etc.) one should make the Sign of the Cross.
3. ^ Russians make the cross first, explaining that we should not bend the Cross; Greeks make it after, explaining that we should take up the Cross.
2. ^ When bowing before a living person (receiving the blessing of a bishop, priest, etc.) one does not cross oneself, but when bowing before a holy object (being blessed with the Cross or Chalice, an Icon, Relic, etc.) one should make the Sign of the Cross.
3. ^ Russians make the cross first, explaining that we should not bend the Cross; Greeks make it after, explaining that we should take up the Cross.
The Latin Rite is one of the 23 sui iuris
Anglican Communion is a world-wide affiliation of Anglican Churches. There is no single "Anglican Church" with universal juridical authority, since each national or regional church has full autonomy.
Blessed Sacrament, or the Body and Blood of Christ, is a devotional name used in the Roman Catholic Church, Old Catholic and Anglican Churches, to refer to the Host and wine after they have been consecrated in the sacrament of the Eucharist.
Tabernacle is the fixed locked box in which, in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is "reserved" (stored). It is to be distinguished from a less obvious container, set into the wall, called an aumbry.
Tabernacle is the fixed locked box in which, in some Christian churches, the Eucharist is "reserved" (stored). It is to be distinguished from a less obvious container, set into the wall, called an aumbry.
Monstrance is the vessel used in the Roman Catholic, Old Catholic, and Anglican Churches to display the consecrated Eucharistic Host, during Eucharistic adoration or Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
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ciborium (plural ciboria) is a covered container used in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and related churches to store the consecrated hosts of the sacrament of Holy Communion. A ciborium is also an architectural feature in some churches.
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Nicene Creed, Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed or Icon/Symbol of the Faith, is an ecumenical Christian statement of faith accepted in the Catholic Church, the Eastern Orthodox Church, Oriental Orthodoxy, the Assyrian, the Anglican Communion, Lutheranism, the Reformed
Mass is the name given to the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church, in Old Catholic Churches, in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of Anglicanism, and in some largely High Church Lutheran regions, including the Scandinavian and Baltic
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Mass is the name given to the Eucharistic celebration in the Latin liturgical rites of the Roman Catholic Church, in Old Catholic Churches, in the Anglo-Catholic tradition of Anglicanism, and in some largely High Church Lutheran regions, including the Scandinavian and Baltic
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Easter Sunday (primarily), Ascension, Pentecost, Whit Monday, Trinity Sunday, and Corpus Christi which follow it
Good Friday is the Friday before Easter (Easter always falls on a Sunday). It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
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Good Friday is the Friday before Easter (Easter always falls on a Sunday). It commemorates the crucifixion and death of Jesus at Calvary.
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Holy Saturday is the day before Easter in the Christian calendar. It is sometimes called Easter Eve, especially by Anglicans, or Low Saturday. Filipinos often call it Black Saturday or Sábado de Gloria
cross is a geometrical figure consisting of two lines or bars perpendicular to each other, dividing one or two of the lines in half. The lines usually run vertically and horizontally; if they run diagonally, the design is technically termed a saltire.
Veneration is a religious symbolic act giving honor to someone by honoring an image of that person, particularly applied to saints.
sign of the cross in the Eastern Orthodox fashion.]] The Sign of the Cross is a ceremonial hand motion made by the vast majority of the world's Christians. It is usually accompanied with the trinitarian formula.
Poyasny ("little bow") and zemnoy poklon ("great bow") are different kinds of bows used in an Eastern Orthodox worship service.
The different kinds of bows one could encounter at an Eastern Orthodox service are shown in the picture on the right.
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sign of the cross in the Eastern Orthodox fashion.]] The Sign of the Cross is a ceremonial hand motion made by the vast majority of the world's Christians. It is usually accompanied with the trinitarian formula.
Poyasny ("little bow") and zemnoy poklon ("great bow") are different kinds of bows used in an Eastern Orthodox worship service.
The different kinds of bows one could encounter at an Eastern Orthodox service are shown in the picture on the right.
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Twelve Great Feasts.
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The Twelve Great Feasts
Eight great feasts in honor of Jesus Christ, and four great feasts honoring the Virgin Mary - the Theotokos - comprise The Twelve Great Feasts...... Click the link for more information.
Christianity
Foundations
Jesus Christ
Church Theology
New Covenant Supersessionism
Dispensationalism
Apostles Kingdom Gospel
History of Christianity Timeline
Bible
Old Testament New Testament
Books Canon Apocrypha
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Foundations
Jesus Christ
Church Theology
New Covenant Supersessionism
Dispensationalism
Apostles Kingdom Gospel
History of Christianity Timeline
Bible
Old Testament New Testament
Books Canon Apocrypha
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chalice (from Latin calix, cup, borrowed from Greek kalyx, shell, husk) is a goblet intended to hold drink. In general religious terms, it is intended for quaffing during a ceremony.
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icon (from Greek εἰκών, eikon, "image") is an image, picture, or representation; it is a sign or likeness that stands for an object by signifying or representing it, or by analogy, as in semiotics; by
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