Making "A Leg" at Church

[Father Bill]

In many denominations, one kneels on both knees to receive the Eucharist, regardless of height. I've never seen anyone genuflect for the Eucharist.

[room2ndfloor]

In many denominations, one kneels on both knees to receive the Eucharist, regardless of height. I've never seen anyone genuflect for the Eucharist.

Which is why I did not use the term "genuflect". In Orthodox worship, everyone capable of standing, stands at the reception of the Eucharist. Parents or Godparents sometimes lift smaller children so that they are at the level of the celebrant.

My purpose in asking the question was to inform young men at my parish. Many have expressed a desire to wear the kilt.

I appreciate the polite tone of the conversation.

[Father Bill]

I appreciate the polite tone of the conversation.

...which is what you get at XMarks - just information and opinion, not a lot of negative emotion!

In the Roman and Anglican churches communicants have the choice of standing or kneeling. I can't speak for Protestant churches where the Eucharist is less common anyway.

[MacKenzie]

Like so?

[room2ndfloor]

Like so?

Yes, that is it for the legs. Orthodox Christians also cross the arms in front of the body in a position of supplication.

Thank you, everyone, for your comments.

[AmateurKiltsmen]

I’ve seen it before in some broadway musicals, looks very cool in a kilt

[OC Richard]

A Roman Catholic chiming in, as far as I've seen genuflecting is done at the end of a pew before entering the pew prior to the beginning of Mass and at the same spot when leaving the pew at the conclusion of Mass.

People generally don't genuflect when leaving or entering the pew during Communion.

This genuflecting isn't necessarily a "bow" per se because many people keep their upper body and head erect.

Then of course there's kneeling (on both knees) at certain points during the Mass for which the pews have kneelers, padded things.

Those not sitting in pews kneel on the floor. That can be painful for us old people! They should make special Catholic trousers with built-in knee pads. If wearing a kilt it's direct knee-to-floor, not fun.

The only "bows" (from the waist, knees not bent) are done, at least in our Diocese:

1) when taking Communion, which we do standing up, while the person in front of you is receiving the Host.

2) when passing in front of the altar while walking from one side of the church to the other after stopping and facing the altar.

When attending Episcopal services I have seen people face the Cross and bow their head during the Processional as the cross passes them in its trip down the centre aisle. I've picked this up and do it out of habit, though few Catholics appear to do this.

(Just a linguistic note, GEN is an Indo-European root that gives us GENeration proGENy and probably also KNee suggesting the image of a baby on the parent's knee.)

[John_Carrick]

...which is what you get at XMarks - just information and opinion, not a lot of negative emotion!

In the Roman and Anglican churches communicants have the choice of standing or kneeling. I can't speak for Protestant churches where the Eucharist is less common anyway.

In the Church of Ireland (Anglican) we would generally sit to pray and kneel to receive communion where able or stand if not.