How to address the priest?

Many people, when they come to church, are lost, because they do not know how to address the priests. For such reasons, you should not abandon the planned trip to the temple of God, even if the church etiquette is not familiar. Priests are simple people and differ from the rest only in the knowledge and wisdom of the word of God and act as a vehicle between the worldly and heavenly. If, by ignorance, a person turns to the priest as in the world, this will not become a mortal sin , a wise and experienced father will always correct and tell how to properly approach a spiritual mentor. During the time of the persecution of churches and priests, it was possible to address the priest by name and patronymic, but today, when religion has gained freedom and respect, the priests are treated differently, according to church canons.

How correctly to address to the priest on confession in church?

Coming to the church for confession, on a holiday or just to calm the soul, we ask for blessings and salvation - with such a request and it is worth turning to the minister of the church in the person of the priest. Approaching it, you should keep your distance, fold your palms upwards on each other so that the left palm is under the right, tilt your head slightly, showing humility and obedience. The conversation begins with the words - bless; bless, father or bless the father. After the priest will impose on the parishioner the cross of the cross (cross) with the words "God will bless" you need to kiss the hand that baptized. Some people are embarrassed by the procedure for kissing, but remember that you are not kissing the priest, but the hand of Christ, in which nails were hammered during the crucifixion. To bow, standing before the priest it is not accepted it will be considered for a bad tone, also it is not necessary to sit down while to you will not offer.

One should also remember that it is customary to address a priest to the "You", even if the acquaintance lasts for years. Wives of fathers (mothers) in the presence of parishioners also comply with this requirement.

Of great importance is the behavior of a person during confession or usual conversation with a priest in the walls of the temple. It is worth remembering the control of your gestures, looks, facial expressions , accepted poses and speech. Your task is to conduct a quiet conversation, not to use rude, abusive and slang words in a conversation - this is unacceptable in God's abode. Do not take cheeky and vulgar postures and unnecessarily gesticulate, touch the priest at will.