Once we enter and are in the midst of the assembly, we are called to stand in the presence of the Lord. Chairs are reserved only for those who need them, that is, for older people, mothers with babies, people with bad backs, etc.. How often does the priest and the deacon sit? We are all called to con-celebrate the Liturgy. Priest and people do it together. There are NO spectators at the Orthodox Liturgy. We are con-celebrants with the priest CELEBRATING THE LITURGY WITH HIM. Our normal position for this is standing. This includes the litanies when we are invited by the deacon specifically to pray. It includes the time during and after Holy Communion when we stand in awe of the great mystery of being united with the very life of Jesus Himself in that communion.

The assembly of God's people is a very special thing and takes place in a very special place. We call this place where we assemble the temple. Coming into this place requires a special reverence. We are not at the beach, we are not at a picnic, nor at a party, nor at a play or a concert. At the beach we sprawl out on the sand. In the theater we sit and are entertained. In the temple in God's presence. The position we assume is very important to our experiencing the liturgy. This experience must be that God has come into our midst bringing His Kingdom here where we have assembled. We must have the experience that the Holy Spirit has assembled us in Christ. Through this reality we are present in the Kingdom of the Father. The position we place our bodies in can enhance or detract from that experience. Bodily movements also help us to experience the liturgy. Because so many of our churches have introduced pews and rows of chairs we tend to become spectators. We have become rigid and not at home with our liturgy that requires movement, bows, prostrations, processions, etc.

Worship in spirit and in truth requires that we praise and give glory to God, not only with our mind, but with our entire being. This means with our bodies as well. We need to become more at home at the liturgy. We need to become more accustomed to use our body in worship. Yes we make the sign of the Cross, but do we bow. For example, when the deacon proclaims at the little entrance, "WISDOM! ATTEND!," the choir and the people respond, "Come let us worship and FALL DOWN before Christ," what do we do? We fall down, not literally, but we do bow and make the sign of the Cross. We don't just stand there. We involve ourselves with our total being and this includes our body and all our senses.

Do not be stiff and rigid at the Liturgy. Use your body in worship. We make meaningful gestures. Bow at the Holy God. Bless yourselves, bowing and touching the floor with our hands when the priest says, "Let us give thanks unto the Lord." When invited to bow your heads, do just that. You are bowing to the King and Lord of all creation. There are so many things we should do with our bodies to help us experience our worship in Spirit and in truth. These are meaningful gestures that increase our awareness of where we are and what we are doing. They are done reverently and intentionally. They spring forth from the heart. They are done because we use our entire being in our worship.

Let each one of us take stock of ourselves. How do I prepare for the liturgy? Where was I on Saturday evening when our liturgical journey begins into he Kingdom of God? How am I when I arise on Sunday morning? Do I say my prayers in preparation for being in communion with my Lord? Or am I irritable and argumentative? Or am I arguing and fighting on the way to church? Do I enter leaving the weeks business and idle talk outside? Have I fasted realizing that the only true source of life is Christ and the Life He gives? Once in the temple, do I worship with mind, heart, and body? Is my position one that enhances my liturgical experience? Am I genuinely reverent and aware of the special place where I am?