Why do you stand in the Russian Orthodox church?

Answer 1

One of the striking differences in Russian Orthodox Church and most of the Slavic Orthodox churches is that inside of the Church people are standing during the Divine Liturgy. Most of the Russian Ortodox churches actually do have the benches that are located on the perimeter of the church by the walls. Anyone is welcome to sit there if they are tired or just wish to take a break. It is mostly designed for the elderly, pregnant women, sick people and so on. For example if a president, your boss, or some one in charge walks into the room or a cabinet you would probably stand up, out of respect or out discipline. The question than is if you are in the church the House of God than is God not worthy enough for you to stand before him? Another thing about Russian Orthodox Church is the idea of everyones envolvement in the church during the liturgy and all other aspects. This envolvement can be as little as taking out a burned out candle from the candle stand. When people are standing in prayer together that unity and envlovement increases. The negative effect that I can see from having pews in the church is that liturgy transforms itself from being directed to God to being directed to the people and that is something an Orthodox church was never a part off. When people are in the pews they seem get a little lazy and the thoughts of communication wiht God are now being tranformed into other activities such as constantly plaing with an IPhone or other devices, instead of hard prayer people seem to lounge around and treat the service as a show rather than a worship of God.