Proper way to ask for a Blessing

[Kaonashi]

I'm thinking about visiting an parish here in Denver this upcoming Sunday and was wondering if there was a different way of asking for a blessing other than crossing my arms in front of my chest at the altar during the Eucharist?

 

[RobNJ]

I'm thinking about visiting an parish here in Denver this upcoming Sunday and was wondering if there was a different way of asking for a blessing other than crossing my arms in front of my chest at the altar during the Eucharist?

Someone else may know how the ask for a blessing... You may find ALL the people receiving approach with their arms crossed. They do at the 3 places I've been to DL

 

[Anhelyna]

Kaonashi

When I attend my local RO Church I do not go forward during Communion for a blessing - I stay in my place.

However at the end of Liturgy when all go forward to Kiss the Cross and receive Antidoron, I go forward with everyone else then.

Their priest knows I'm Catholic and appreciates that I behave the way I do.

 

[Ioustinos]

I'm thinking about visiting an parish here in Denver this upcoming Sunday and was wondering if there was a different way of asking for a blessing other than crossing my arms in front of my chest at the altar during the Eucharist?

What parish are you planning on attending? The approach may be different depending on if you are going to a Western Rite Orthodox Church (of which there are many in Denver) or a traditional Eastern Rite Orthodox Church.

 

[jckstraw72]

i've never seen anyone go up during Communion and just ask for a blessing ... what would the priest do? his hands are full with the chalice and spoon

 

[Damaris]

To get a blessing while communion is distributed in an Orthodox church, it would be best to arrange this with the priest ahead of time. The way I've seen it done is that the priest puts the chalice on top of your head and says a prayer.

In a Roman Catholic church, having your arms crossed is how to signal you want a blessing rather than communion, but that's not the case in Orthodox churches. In a Russian or Russian-descended Orthodox Church, everyone approaches with their arms crossed in order to receive communion. In Greek churches they don't, but only because communicants are expected to hold up part of the napkin that ensures the Body and Blood do not fall to the floor.

 

[ArmyMatt]

your best bet is to ask the priest of the parish what you should do. some will allow non Orthodox to kiss the chalice, some will place the chalice on the head and say a blessing, etc. but I know it can be confusing since it's Holy Communion. personally, when I first went to an Orthodox service, I waited til the end to ask the priest.

but your best bet would be to call ahead of time.

 

[gzt]

The usual practice is: do not go up for a blessing during the Eucharist. They are distributing the Eucharist, not giving out blessings at that point. At the end of the services, they give out blessings while the people venerate the cross.

 

[Knee V]

The usual practice is: do not go up for a blessing during the Eucharist. They are distributing the Eucharist, not giving out blessings at that point. At the end of the services, they give out blessings while the people venerate the cross.

^This

Getting a blessing is pretty common fare. Typically when we first see the priest (unless that is during a service when he's busy) and again when we're leaving we'll get a blessing from the priest. We hold out our hands in front of us, making sort of a cup with our right hand over the left. He'll make the cross over our hands and then he'll put his hand in our hands and we'll kiss his hand. It is also fairly standard (although not always done; I rarely say it) to say "father, bless" when we're holding our hands out for a blessing.

 

[RileyG]

Isn't going up to Holy Communion with your arms crossed a signal to receive the Holy Eucharist? This is what from I understand...

[It sounds like the OP has experiences with the RCC Church's blessings during communion...I'm not going to discuss that topic on TAW or any other RC because it can get quite nasty...]

 

[Knee V]

Isn't going up to Holy Communion with your arms crossed a signal to receive the Holy Eucharist? This is what from I understand...

[It sounds like the OP has experiences with the RCC Church's blessings during communion...I'm not going to discuss that topic on TAW or any other RC because it can get quite nasty...]

Yes, many people cross their arms over their chest when receiving the Eucharist. Additionally, one should only approach the chalice if one is going to receive.

 

[Kaonashi]

Thanks, in the Episcopal tradition, arms crossed over chest is a request for a Blessing since we usually extend our right palm forward to receive the Euchrist. We usually either dip n the Chalice or guide the Chalice to our lips with the other hand.

 

[Kristos]

Thanks, in the Episcopal tradition, arms crossed over chest is a request for a Blessing since we usually extend our right palm forward to receive the Euchrist. We usually either dip n the Chalice or guide the Chalice to our lips with the other hand.

Yeah, we do it a bit different - the bread is already in the chalice with the wine and water - the priest uses a spoon to serve a piece of bread and some wine to each communicant directly into the mouth - no touching with the hands.

If you are not able to talk to the priest beforehand - I would recommend not going up during communion - just go up after the service with everyone else for the blessing. Of course if the priest says something different, then do that - when in Rome...

 

[RileyG]

Yes, many people cross their arms over their chest when receiving the Eucharist. Additionally, one should only approach the chalice if one is going to receive.

Thanks for answering.

 

[gzt]

It's quite common in Orthodox Churches for a significant proportion of the people present on a given Sunday not to be communing. It depends on the parish, of course. Because of this, it's not expected for pretty much everybody to be coming up, and for the few that aren't communing to therefore also come up for a blessing. So this means that only communicants approach the chalice.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

90% of my parish communes EVERY week. Very, very few people stay in the pews!

It's quite common in Orthodox Churches for a significant proportion of the people present on a given Sunday not to be communing. It depends on the parish, of course. Because of this, it's not expected for pretty much everybody to be coming up, and for the few that aren't communing to therefore also come up for a blessing. So this means that only communicants approach the chalice.