Laity’s Role in Church
Part One
The hoy place for our harmony, the foundation of world peace and salvation, Orthodox Incarnation Church is where laities serve the Lord. Church is Holy, One, Apostolic and for all. With this truth, we are to serve Apostolic service, be holy and live in unity.
Our Patristic Fathers have curved the path of Christians life led by Holy Spirit for which Laities are to keep. The rule and liturgy of holy Church is flawless for we shall follow without any hesitation and doubt. Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ taught us saying, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” (John 14:15)
Laity’s role in keeping the Liturgy of Church
Liturgy in Orthodox Christianity is the Laws, regulations, programs, procedures and implementation of systems. Holy Church has made the Liturgy to carry out work in a consistent manner, be in one thought and heart, and partake in Her mysteries. Saint Paul who has thought us to live carefully but not in negligence from the moment of thinking of going to Church saying, “we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly.” (2 Thessalian 3:6)
Based on this, whilst we go to Church for the morning and evening prayer, we shall be careful and be wise. We must go to the house of God in pure conscious, wearing neat and white clothes, covering our whole body; especially women shall wear clothes that cover their head to leg. In marriage, husband and wives who attend the Church any time on Sundays, for the Divine Liturgy and on fasting and feasts seasons are not allowed to share bed. If they have intercourse, they shall not enter Church on the day. If women are on their menstruation period, they are forbidden to enter the Church until their chastity time after seven days. If they have given birth, they are not allowed to enter the Church until the 40 days of their son or 80 days of their daughter. Men are forbidden to attend any Church service if they have sexual dreams. However, they can participate the Church service by cleaning (washing) their body after 24 hours.
Veneration of the Church
The foremost act we make in Venerating the Church is to give respect, beginning her gate by making the Cross sign and prostration every time. Wise King Solomon said, “Blessed is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, Waiting at the posts of my doors.” (Psalm 8:34) Saint David the Prophet said, “Give to the Lord the glory due to His name; Worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness. “(Psalm 29:2)
Before entering the compound or the temple, we shall make peace with the people we quarrel, had conflict with or any disagreement. We ought to ask forgiveness if we have hurt or disappoint any one, and forgive others who have disappointed us even our enemies. Any person who has drunk alcohol is forbidden to enter. It is not allowed to make any kind of sell or purchase, invite for food, eat or drink inside the compound of the Church or take the holy icons for personal use and sell.
When we enter the compound, it is Christian manner to be blessed by the Holy Cross of a Priest. We shall also make a prostration to holy icons inside the Church. We must know it is forbidden to take in food and drink inside the Holy Temple, wear short or dirty clothe. It is not allowed to laugh and talk about worldly things. Inside the Church, it is vital to be silent, be in fear of God and plead mercy.
The main purpose of going to the Church is to serve God by keeping His commandments so as to live in holiness. This is the main reason for us to be pure from any kind of evil. In specific to Church, we have to be pure from any kind of sin and harmful deed for we our prayer could be heard. Holy Church is the foremost place where we are heard and be chastised. We communicate our Lord through our pleading and Christians manners. The first good deed we could present our Lord, is good and pure heart for it is the place He be. We have to have love for the Lord and serve Him in diligence. As Holy Church is His house, we have to follow her rule, live by her command and keep the liturgy.