GOING HOME

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Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Rules

Two more pics from the same church, one of them - with translation. I won't comment on it, because those who know me will understand why I posted it.

Here we see the churchgoers approaching the priest to kiss the cross he is holding.

And here - a very interesting document I found posted right by the entrance. The translation follows.

Translation:

APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR AT CHURCH

It is the duty of every true Christian to visit church in order to participate in services, especially on Sundays and holidays. Sunday mass usually starts at 11 am and runs for 2 hours.

One must enter the church with fear in one’s heart, with respect and appropriate bearing.

1. You must dress appropriately and modestly when going to church. Women have to have their heads covered when entering a church, men should bare their heads.
2. When entering and exiting the church, before and after the prayer and (something I don’t know yet how to translate) you should make a sign of the cross.
3. It is better to arrive before the service starts. If you had an excuse to arrive late, enter quietly, so as not to disturb those present.
4. When lighting a candle, do not make unnecessary noise and commotion.
5. Inside the building, a believer must demonstrate respectful attitude toward the holy place and those around. It is inappropriate to turn your back to the altar, keep your hands in your pockets or behind your back, chew gum or cross your legs.
6. During morning and evening services those present must recognize the solemnity of the occasion and the place and keep quiet until the service is over. You are not allowed to converse or talk loudly.
7. During services, try to avoid going in and out needlessly. During (certain parts of the service, which I can’t correctly translate) moving around should cease completely.
8. Communion can only be taken by those baptized, participating in confession, bodily and spiritually prepared.
9. When approaching to kiss the cross or the Bible, the believers must do so silently, with a fearful heart, making the sign of a cross and without pushing each other.
10. You must stand up during (certain parts of the service I can't translate), while reading prayers or the Scriptures.

1 Comments:

At 6:56 PM, Anonymous Anonymous said...

WTFart?!
That is the most stricked church ive ever heard of!
Is that the church you go to?
P.S. You should make a blog thing on myspace! Then you can put videos on it too!

 

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