Have I done something wrong?

Discussion · 22

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• − opinion#2394 123 likes at the source

  What you should do is talk to your priest about it and ignore literally everyone else. If your priest says "No, it's ok" then keep doing it, if he says "well, I'd rather you not but I'm not going to turn you away" thats him politely saying to stop it.

  • − opinion#2409 25 likes at the source

    THE correct answer.

    • − opinion#2414 13 likes at the source

      About 99.9% of things. I'm related to my priest, and he's expressed that most things that get out of control at a parish tend to happen because people try to resolve everything by playing "telephone" or speculating what is or isn't correct. If you just asked him, he'd tell you the answer in 15 seconds. Instead, it's ten other people speculating on the right thing to do until there's an even larger issue than the original one (if there was even an issue at all).
• − opinion#2395 13 likes at the source

  This is a custom in some parishes, while others have not heard of it. Best thing to do is ask the priest. Then, whatever he advises, you'll know you're doing it with his blessing.
• − opinion#2397 12 likes at the source

  You should not go for a blessnig. Im sure that lady meant well, and the priest doesn't want to cause a problem. But you did nothing wrong. But"going for a blessnig" is Catholic thing. You get a blessing at the end of communion when the priest blesses everyone. I've talked to bishops and priests about it and they're always worried someone might come up and accidentally get communed, or it just holds up the line. You're not in the wrong and should not feel embarassed by it. But as someone who holds the communion cloth, it really gets confusing when you constantly have to be on the watch for those who are just asking for a blessing, and a priest who had the spoon ready once spilled a little because he was getting ready to commune someone and then had to pull back.

  • − opinion#2410 14 likes at the source

    He should check with his priest. There's no rule on it, it's up to the priest, and in some places especially convert heavy it's often allowed or encouraged

    • − opinion#2415 6 likes at the source

      Yes, my convert-heavy parish in a college town (go Dawgs and whatnot) does this.
  • − opinion#2411 9 likes at the source

    My clergy specifically invite inquirers forward for a blessing, or Orthodox who haven't prepared accordingly. We are a larger parish with over a hundred people in Catechism at any given time, so I am guessing it's meant as a welcoming gesture. GOARCH, for the record.
  • − opinion#2412 6 likes at the source

    I've literally been in Orthodox Church services and the priest will invite non orthodox to come up for a blessing during communion. I think they just needs to ask the priest how he handles it in his parish.
• − opinion#2396 10 likes at the source

  Well, who cares if people complain? It's up to the priest if it's appropriate. That said, this is, to some degree, a cultural thing. In some cultures, getting a blessing in lieu of communion is common; in others, it's not. If someone asks me if they should go up to get a blessing, I tell them not to go, because they get the same blessing at the end of church, and going up can cause confusion or delay. However, I would never get upset or angry at someone for doing it.
• − opinion#2398 8 likes at the source

  It's commonplace at my parish. People who are inquirers are even specifically invited forward for a blessing from either Priest while being told to not partake. I know some parishes don't do it because they are worried about the extra hustle and bustle probably getting the Chalice bumped, or someone served who isn't Orthodox, but that just comes down to quality line control and the Priests own discernment. Consult your own Priest and ignore the idle talking.
• − opinion#2399 8 likes at the source

  My priest outwardly encourages coming up for a blessing, and I've never seen another priest do anything different.
• − opinion#2400 6 likes at the source

  "What should I do" Whatever the priest says.
• − opinion#2401 5 likes at the source

  Same thing happened in my parish yesterday. I never would have gone up for a blessing on my own when I was a catechumen but the priest strongly encouraged it. I get the feeling he's going to (nicely) tell the people complaining too bad, I don't think there are very many of them.
• − opinion#2402 5 likes at the source

  I went for a blessing every week for a year prior to chrismation.
• − opinion#2403 5 likes at the source

  My priest does the same for a few mixed marriages where one spouse is Catholic and the other Orthodox, so the Catholic spouse can come kiss the chalice, and he allows catechumens too. But this comes down to each individual parish, and as you've noticed, there are all sorts of approaches out there. What matters is asking your priest what he wants you to do in the parish he's been given to shepherd and look after. Anyone who says differently can be sent to talk to him directly and hear it from him.
• − opinion#2404 4 likes at the source

  My husband and I are in catechumen classes at a Russian Orthodox church. The father taught us that when we come up to him we hold out our left hand palm up, put our right hand in the left palm up, and say father bless. I don't really know what to tell you, but it seems every church has mixed views on who should do what and when. The best advice is to talk to the father yourself. Please don't let any of this keep you from going ❤️

  • − opinion#2413 3 likes at the source

    At our parish, the way you show you're only there for a blessing is by crossing your arms over your chest.
• − opinion#2405 4 likes at the source

  Here's the thing; if you are not prepared, and that includes anyone who isn't chrismated, catechumen or not, why would you even want to come forward? What's the point? The whole congregation already gets blessed when the priest finishes giving communion. This is an innovation, since it's only by economia that non-Orthodox are even in the nave at that point. It just reminds me of the "everyone gets a trophy" culture.
• − opinion#2406 4 likes at the source

  Our parish does this. Just do whatever your priest tells you and tune out everyone else. ❤️
• − opinion#2407 4 likes at the source

  Our priest, following direction from our metropolitan, told catechumens and anyone else wanting a blessing to come after the service when they receive the antidoran (instead of the gifts), and not to come up during communion. This has been happening in more than one Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America metropolis and looks like a change coming down from the archdiocese. The guess is that there have been cases of the gifts being spilled during blessings at communion, and this rule is meant to prevent that. Your parish might do things differently.
• − opinion#2408 4 likes at the source

  Our old church did this, but with hundreds of non orthodox visitors, catechumens, and inquirers, communion ended up taking 45 minutes. AND that's what the end of the service is for anyway, you go up to the priest and get a blessing then. There's no reason to do it twice.