Hello,
This may seem trivial, but... is it disrespectful for one to sit in a cross-legged position while reading the Bible (or in any other seated position)? We are told to stand for the reading of the Gospel during the Holy Liturgy, but is this also supposed to be carried out while doing personal readings, for instance, at home?
What is the Church's view on this? Do the Church Fathers speak of this at all?
God Bless.
Comments
Hello,
This may seem trivial, but... is it disrespectful for one to sit in a cross-legged position while reading the Bible (or in any other seated position)? We are told to stand for the reading of the Gospel during the Holy Liturgy, but is this also supposed to be carried out while doing personal readings, for instance, at home?
What is the Church's view on this? Do the Church Fathers speak of this at all?
God Bless.
The standing position is the standard position throughout the liturgical service. We only sit through sermon. The standing position is done out of respect to the holy place in which we are present.
You can sit at home while reading the bible. Sitting cross-legged is a taboo in middle east cultures and is a sign of disrespect if you are sitting across someone of a high position. But it is also a sign of relaxation and casualty in the Western culture. Reading the Bible should not be treated the same as if we are sitting watching TV or skimming a magazine.
"Take heed how your hear the Gospel. It seems that the Lord wants to say that we hear with our hearts rather than our ears, and that the inner life affects the word of God, either killing it, or making it live and thrive. So whoever wants to hear the word well, understand it, and hold it fast in an honest and good heart should prepare his heart inwardly so that the word may safely take root there, finding in his heart faithfulness to God and truthfulness in word and promise. It is absolutely impossible that anyone should understand what he hears of the word of God, if he is not completely honest before God and has not determined to surrender his life, his responsibilities, his interests, his money, his future, and his own honor and lay them at God's feet.
For how can anyone who is afraid of the future understand when the Lord says: "Do not be anxious about tomorrow", and: "Do not be anxious about your life" (Mt. 6:34, 25)? How can anyone who is concerned about honor understand the Cross? How can anyone who is afraid of sickness or death understand the Resurrection?
Anyone who asks to read the Gospel is in fact asking for eternal life, and anyone who asks for eternal life has to take a clear stand with regard to the present life!"
+ Father Matthew the Poor +
[quote author=imikhail link=topic=12363.msg144781#msg144781 date=1316120288]
The standing position is the standard position throughout the liturgical service. We only sit through sermon. The standing position is done out of respect to the holy place in which we are present.
You can sit at home while reading the bible. Sitting cross-legged is a taboo in middle east cultures and is a sign of disrespect if you are sitting across someone of a high position. But it is also a sign of relaxation and casualty in the Western culture. Reading the Bible should not be treated the same as if we are sitting watching TV or skimming a magazine.
Thanks imikhail. I was speaking about standing compared to sitting down for the readings that are read before the Gospel.