Metania

Comments

• mabsoota

  January 9

  great question.

  (very) simple answer:

  there are 2 types of bowing down to God.

  1. worshiping God - can do it when entering church, when arriving home, when waking in the morning and saying 'hi' to God, basically at any time, whether fasting or not.

  we can also bow in reverence to people as well (this is not worshiping them) and is what the priest does at the beginning of the liturgy when he worships God, bowing before the altar and then bows towards the people (not worshiping them). bowing in front of someone is an act of humility and respect.

  then the people bow towards him also (or sometimes just bend slightly, touching the floor with their hand, this is like a mini bow). we also do the mini bow just before greeting the bishop (but you can do it any time. children can do it when greeting their parents after a long journey etc.) this bow (the one before people) is very similar to the 'kowtow' of east asian culture and to similar actions in other cultures. the difference is that in some cultures (not Christian ones), you are also supposed to worship your ancestors like this.

  
  

  2. bowing to God when repenting and asking for forgiveness of sins.

  this bow looks exactly the same (hands in a fist with thumbs pointed forwards, forehead on floor). however, this must always be done while fasting, so can't be done on non fasting days (today, for example).

  the next day for these types of metania is the friday before theophany (17 Jan).

  Christians typically do around 41 metanias while praying 'Lord have mercy' in the morning prayers, but less fit people can do less (and fit monks and nuns usually do more).

  we are in a period of less fasting this week, following the nativity feast (which was on tuesday)
• Xere_Nak

  January 10

  Thank you so much this is so helpful. My mother was coptic orthodox and I am linking myself to her faith and taking it as my own.