Why Aren't There Pews in Many Orthodox Churches?

[@eduardovalentin9416]

This woman's voice is so soothing. I want her to read me books. And she has such a Godly and gentle way of describing Orthodox practice. She makes this Church seem so warm and inviting. Totally a blessing to the faith.

[@AarmOZ84]

Your wish has come true. I am listening to a book on Audible about Mary that she wrote and provides the narration for.

[@c.d.3230]

@@AarmOZ84 what is the title? Is it on KZbin?

[@Awakeningspirit20]

She is truly a Saint, she is everything Jesus is calling us to be, very wise and soothing, speaking truth and consoling others. I can't stop watching her videos, as a Catholic. I'm seeing in them better and CERTAINLY more kind explanations than I ever did in Catholic school.

[@robertsullivan4773]

What a lively lady. I'm catholic and I may look for an attend an Orthodox service soon.

[@johnmichalski5981]

I was a Roman Catholic for most of my 62 years. Now I'm Orthodox, and feel totally at home!

[@charlieknight6413]

I thought standing would be hard. I was used to sitting. Now it seems uncomfortable to sit or kneel. I know I don't ask for a chair when I spend an hour or to shopping at a mall. So I find also that I am engaged in the service with responses all the time, except for when I am listening to the epistle lessons or a sermon, such as that. So I don't really need the pew. What happens when pews are only around the side or in the front, those that physically need them sit there. The others have the freedom to stand and worship without the encumbrances of sitting. At first I sat in a pew in the back near a pole under the choir loft. I did that so I could hold onto the pole to help me in standing. Now I hardly ever use that pole and many times do not go to that location. If we all came to see the President of the United States or some other head of state speak at a square or park somewhere we would stand. And in many protestant congregations the standing while praying or singing has once again become more normal. Well in an Orthodox liturgy you are making a response or singing (or should be) most of the time. The Divine Liturgy is "Work of the People" is is a dialog between the people and the Priest as they both address and honor God, WHO IS PRESENT WITH THEM AT THAT TIME.

[@Raintalon89]

I completely agree. The only ones who really use the chairs at my church (we don't have pews) are those that truly need them (sick, elderly, and so on).

[@johnnyd2383]

Most of the parishes have no pews. We stand and we say that God holds us in His arms during the services so we do not feel the hardship while standing. Time also flies and in no time, service is over and when you look at the wristwatch... 2 hours are gone. But.. one needs to focus onto the services and set one's mind to contemplate the presence of God.

[@paulj.thaddaios]

You mean the “revolution” not the “reformation” lol! It is the truth friend! I love the way you speak! God Bless!

[@genemyersmyers6710]

Honor Him with head covering. Must be ancienr faith radio people.

[@paulwilliams9207]

God bless orthodoxy. It IS the TRUTH.

[@alexpanagiotis4706]

Very good! No pews. Standing, kneeling, prostrating

[@frankielee5623]

I see no problem for someone lack of faith needed another Saint to pray. Of course we all must learn to go directly to God the father through Christ in prayers, be able, to mature at some point in time. Every Christian have to learn, at some point in time, or Now, to go direct to the Father.

[@johnnyd2383]

Typical length of the Orthodox services is 1.5 hours. How long are your services.?

[@jonathankerkstra9152]

We do both

[@shobudski6776]

@@johnnyd2383 2.5 to 3 hours depending on the service. And mostly standing, no pews.

[@shobudski6776]

We are standing directly with the father in worship to him in every liturgy, matins and vespers along with the saints and angels of heaven. Low church Protestants will never understand this. May Lord have Mercy.

[@yoshiavrian]

Thanks 🙏🏻

[@oliverpony]

I remember when my family used to go to the Orthodox Church After my legs would start to hurt for standing in place for too long

[@theears995]

How long is a typical Orthodox service? I have cerebral palsy and standing for long periods of time REALLY hurts my legs, but if I go to an Orthodox Church I want to be respectful and not be standing up, sitting down, standing up, sitting down multiple times. Thank you :)

[@Theoria]

TheEars99 hi! It varies but normal Liturgies usually last between 1.5-2 hours. Provided you stand for the Gospel, the Great Entrance, and Anaphora, I think you'd be fine sitting

[@theears995]

Theoria good to know :) I'm not Christian myself, but I'm interested in all types of different religions :) God bless you :)

[@theresurrectionandthelifem4971]

TheEars99 hello brother,can I help you if you have any questions just contact me I would be more than happy answering you if you really seek Jesus I can help you.God bless.

[@msanjelia]

U can sit down through the whole service. It is ok. In the Serbian Orthodox church the service is about an hour long.

[@jajohnson7809]

Actually, quite a few Orthodox churches in the U.S. have pews. Slavic and in particular Russian churches are more likely not to have them, though a few Antiochian ones also don't.

[@alexpanagiotis4706]

Pews are BLASPHEMOUS

[@shobudski6776]

@@alexpanagiotis4706 My Church does not have them. We stand during all the services.

[@katarinamilenkovic8146]

Women stand on the left, men on the right, its a custom in Serbian churches.

[@shobudski6776]

And many other Orthodox churches as well.

[@frankm.2850]

There's a Greek Orthodox church a couple blocks from me, and I've wanted to go for a long time, just to see what its like. Anything I should know as a non-christian? Would I be welcome, anything I should avoid doing?

[@Theoria]

Frank Martin - how kind to ask! I would contact the priest, but yes, you should be welcome. Avoid wearing shorts and Sandals. Orthodox Christians are called to love and welcome everyone. But sometimes and some places we do not do our best. But contacting the priest to just let him know your story and ask questions would be a good place to start :)

[@NadyaElBarkati]

Thanks for the video! One question: why do women worship without a headscarf?

[@Theoria]

Nadya El Barkaty this is a regional/jurisdictional thing. In this particular parish, this is the common theme

[@mnbfamily8110]

I have serious restless leg issues and my legs are bad to give out it my legs so sore. It embraces me because I am young

[@jawadazaki]

How many times should one attend liturgy per week?

[@beautifulorthodoxy5899]

Can anybody give me some advice how to stand long on Liturgy without pain in back and legs?Some exercises or something like that?

[@Theoria]

+Beautiful Orthodoxy Hello! How long have you been attending liturgy? As time goes on, our bodies get used to it. Beyond that, try stretching (hands to toes). In some cases, back pain is caused by tight let muscles .

[@beautifulorthodoxy5899]

Thank you,I'm gonna use this exercises hand to toes.I really like your videos. :)

[@Raintalon89]

I've been going to my church since I was baptized at seven and am so used to it, I don't even notice the time passing. For me, standing keeps me focused but also helps you pray better by not letting your mind get destracted while sitting. This is all my opinion anyway but I am also in the choir and that also helps me to pray. If my mind is on prayer, time and feet don't matter.

[@waterbeefly]

Beautiful Orthodoxy bow as close to the floor as u can every time u cross yourself. Also try to engage backside muscles as you stand or slightly bend your knees when standing.

[@chrisford9045]

​@@Theoria So the people sitting can't see because there's people standing in front of them?

[@codhibb]

Can I bring my walker with seat?

[@Theoria]

Scott A. Hibbler of course

[@johnmichalski5981]

Pews trap the congregation and turn them into a passive audience.

[@jeremiahong248]

So that you won't sleep ?

[@sashenkadumerve3017]

Actually that’s smart lol

[@OWOT-re5jf]

No pews????

[@johnnyd2383]

Most of the parishes have no pews. We stand and we say that God holds us in His arms during the service so we do not feel the pain while standing. Time also flies and in no time, service is over and when you look at the wristwatch... 2 hours are gone. But.. one needs to focus onto the services and set one's mind to contemplate the God.

[@crackshot9059]

Wait what?

[@DysmasTheGoodThief]

What?