Veneration of Icons

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Hey, I have a question about the proper way to venerate Icons. When I walk into the nave of my parish, I proceed to the area in front of the altar (I'm sorry, but I still don't know what parts of the church are called) where there is an Icon of St. Nicholas (parish Patron). Then, on the left of this Icon is the Icon of the Theotokos, but on the right of St. Nicholas is the Icon of Christ. Now, normally I venerate St. nicholas first because he's right there in the middle of the main isle (whatever it's called), then I go to the Theotokos, then cross back over to venerate Christ. Now, what I'm wondering is this: When I cross back over to venerate Christ, I naturally have to walk by St. Nicholas again. Am I supposed to venerate him again? Or maybe just cross myself? I could just enter from the side and work left to right, but I don't usually think of that since I normally enter from the middle.

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[The Prokeimenon!]

(I'm sorry, but I still don't know what parts of the church are called)

Me niether, and I've been going to my Parish for two years

If I were given a quiz as to where is the Nave and where is the Narthex, I'm afraid I'd fail. It's like math- no matter how many times it's explained to me, I just can't remember it

To answer the question- I'm sure it's okay if you pass by St Nicholas without re-venerating him. When the Priest is censing the Icons, he censes Christ, then the Theotokos, then St John the Baptist. In order to get to St John, the Priest has to pass over Christ, but he doesn't re-cense Him (until he's all done censing the Church.)

I totally understand your question, though. I have had the same problem because I'm kind of obsessive-compulsive about things sometimes It's like the person who's always afraid they left the oven on- I think "wait! did I forget to venerate the Archangel Michael??"

Moses

 

[Grand_Duchess-Elizaveta]

Thanks. Now, I've heard it said that there is a proper way to venerate Icons: Cross self, bow (can't remember the word for that either), cross self and bow again, kiss the Icon, then cross and bow again. At my parish, virtually no one does it this way. I've seen a variety of ways to venerate icons, mostly just crossing and kissing. Do you guys follow the bow + cross x3 method?

There's a math equation for you, Moses: bow+cross x 3 =???

 

[Suzannah]

At my parish, almost everyone, does this:

cross self
bow
cross self
bow
kiss each icon (the way you describe: centre, left, then right)
cross self bow.
The order is:
centre icon stand
right icon stand
left icon stand
turn and bow with arms crossed to the other parishioners.

Some will also venerate other icons all in the middle of all this...
But that's generally the "formulae" at my church

 

[The Prokeimenon!]

There's a math equation for you, Moses: bow+cross x 3 =???

Brain..........sizzling...........ears.................smoking.............

[ice water poured over head]

Ah! much better

[/ice]

Do it however the Faithful in your Parish do it. That way, you give the Icons proper veneration, without standing out and looking like you have a "piouser-than-thou" more correct way of venerating.

(Hey, I think I just coined a phrase- Piouser-than-thou. Of course, like the Ecumenical Councils, it will not be an actual coined phrase unless it is accepted and used by the Faithful. Just ignore the poor grammer...)

It will be different from Parish to Parish. If you go to a different Parish, show up early and see what the other people do

Again- I remember being an inquierer and having questions like this and wanting a real specific answer, only to get answers like the one I just gave you It comes from a zeal and sincere desire to worship God correctly. That's awesome! Don't lose that zeal! But in the meantime, get ready for more "well, it varies" and other such annoying answers

Always happy to help! (or, more acurately, always happy to speak at length without saying anything important )

Moses