Can I be baptized with my left hand? How to be baptized for a believer if he has no fingers on his right hand

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Date: 05/25/2014 23:03:16

Catherine

How to baptize a believer if he has no fingers on right hand?

answers priest Evgeny Stupitsky

How can a believer be baptized if he has no fingers on his right hand? In the church they pay attention to the fact that they are not baptized during the service, they make remarks. And when they see that there are no fingers, they leave. And no one can explain what to do in this case.

You need to be baptized correctly, showing the whole world, and the bright angels and dark forces your attitude to God. And if there is an injury to any hand, we are baptized healthy. The most important thing for God is the prayerful and reverent state of your heart. God help you!

Some researchers explain the leading role of the right hand by ancient religious and cosmogonic views. Most of the ancient beliefs were based on the worship of the sun god. Prayer rites were performed towards sunrise. A person praying to the east has the south on the right, and the cold north on the left, from where endless horrors, dangers of the night, terrible glaciers come. At the same time, the ancient man considered the world as a reflection of his own body, so the right side began to symbolize warmth, and the right hand was more significant than the left.

This tradition has migrated from ancient religious cults to modern religions: today all Christians of the world are baptized with the right hand, regardless of whether they are right-handed or left-handed in everyday life. Saint Augustine asserted: “With the right hand good deeds, righteous and just, are performed; evil and unjust deeds are done with the left hand. "

V " Sermon on the Mount"Jesus demanded from the disciples that, giving alms," left hand not…

No matter how paradoxical it may sound, but not even all believing Christians - Orthodox and Catholics - know how to be baptized correctly, from right to left or left to right, so often, when entering a church, you can see how adults are baptized incorrectly.

How to be baptized properly? Before visiting church, in order not to get confused in the movements of fingers and hands, it is important to learn how to be baptized, with which hand to put the sign of the cross on yourself, how many times it is correct to do it.

Any believer should be baptized correctly not only in church, but also at home: during joy, sorrow, in the morning after waking up, in the evening before going to bed, as well as before and after eating. During the re-baptism, you need to say the words: "In the name of the Father and the Son, and the Holy Spirit."

Each existing religion has its own laws and rules, according to which the sign of the cross or the sign of the cross is distinguished from each other by the movement of the hands and the addition of the fingers.

On close acquaintance with two ...

»How different is correct

How Orthodox Christians are baptized correctly movement of the hand

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How to baptize Orthodox Christians correctly

Three fingers are used by all Orthodox people, and the priests, blessing, put their fingers in ...

To be baptized, or to cross, means to create the sign of the cross with the hand of the hand. There are many turns of speech describing this gesture of prayer: to sign oneself with the cross, to make or impose the sign of the cross, and others. The sign of the cross, or the sign of the cross, is present in many Christian denominations and is distinguished by the addition of the fingers and the movement of the hand. It can be used in a wide variety of life situations, at home and in the temple, during emergency events and daily activities.

The history of the sign of the cross in orthodoxy

V Orthodox faith the sign of the cross is very important. It expresses faith in God, Jesus Christ, who suffered on the cross for the sins of the whole world, who turned the cross into a weapon and a banner of victory over sin and death. Orthodox Christians wear a cross on their bodies and sign themselves with the banner of the cross, showing their belonging to the faith, love for Christ, obedience to His will.

To make the sign of the cross ...

When you come to church, you will notice that many of the parishioners are being baptized completely wrong. Someone is waving his hands in different sides, someone collects all the fingers in a pinch, and someone does not reach their hands to the abdomen at all. What does this small rite of passage mean for an Orthodox person, how to perform it correctly.

What does the sign of the cross mean

In Christianity, this prayer gesture personifies the cross of the Lord. Three fingers put together mean faith in God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit, that is, the consubstantial Trinity. And the fingers on the palm express the two natures of the Son of God: Divine and human. Thus, the Orthodox are attracting divine grace upon themselves.

How to baptize Orthodox Christians correctly

Three fingers are used by all Orthodox people, and the priests, blessing, put their fingers in a noun sign. For three fingers, the Orthodox must put the thumb, forefinger and middle fingers of the right hand together, and the other two fingers - ...

Number of records: 30

Hello father! Please tell me if it is worth living with your husband if he does not respect you and shows disdain in front of friends and relatives?

Hope

I am ready to sympathize with you, just what does it mean - “does not respect”? If there was only one quarrel, one conflict over self-esteem, then this is not enough for a divorce. And if you have a long history of sorrows, then write, we will think together, where is the mistake, where is the sin and what is the way out.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Hello! Everything is bad with my family life. She lived in a married marriage. Quarreled. The husband left and quickly consoled himself with another woman. Insists on a divorce and wants to sign her as soon as possible. If I pray long and hard for him to return to my family, will it be considered a sin for me? After all, I want to return my husband from another woman? And if they register their relationship, then it means that this is no longer my husband? But what about the words "that which God has united, may people not part?" About our wedding, my husband says that this is the moral side of the matter, and does not have of great importance, he goes to the temple and says: "Lord, forgive me!", and will consider himself not obligated by anything. Is it really that simple?

Ludmila

Lyudmila, the way you describe the situation at home is not a reason, but a reason for divorce. One quarrel will not lead to a break. Something is not said here all about relationships. If "the husband quickly consoled himself", then he not only does not love you, but you can also sympathize with that woman. When a person thinks that “Lord, forgive me” is enough to atone for sin, then he is a foolish person. I advise you to do family self-education for now (read the section "My Fortress" on our website, look through the tags of answers to questions, my LJ http://clerical-x.livejournal.com/). Go to the temple for confession. Take a wait-and-see attitude, be quiet, watch. Pray God will tell you what to do.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Hello. Please help with advice. My husband and I have a second marriage. The reason for the breakup of the family is the betrayal of the spouses. A son was left from previous marriages, my daughter and I had a daughter, now she is only three months old. Our relationship after the birth of a child has changed beyond recognition. My husband helps his ex-wife all the time, explaining that he is doing it for the sake of his son, but this help reaches the point of absurdity, he can sit with them all day, and I'm at home with baby... Plus, my husband loves the holidays very much, he walks as if it were the last time. If he drinks, he becomes aggressive, tortures me with moralizing. I pray for our family all the time, but quarrels, insults have already begun, once I could not stand it and hit him, he fought back, this is some kind of madness! In public, he loving husband, at home - everything is exactly the opposite. I already have thoughts that maybe I am such a bad wife, not wise, maybe I am not given to build relationships with men? I could never rely on my father either, maybe my lot is lonely motherhood? And is it worth keeping such a marriage, and how, if so? I really look forward to advice. Thanks in advance, God bless you.

Olga

Olya, despite the fact that you and your husband good reason for a divorce in first marriages, creating a new family is not at all easy. You have not said anything about, for example, how much time has passed since your divorce. If less than 2 years, then the past has not yet been forgotten ... and the person is drawn there. He left the family legally, but his soul is still in the past. Sometimes new marriages are made in spite of the spouses, in an attempt to prove their worth to themselves. And the new spouse also has a past. In my heading "My fortress" on the website and in my LJ http://clerical-x.livejournal.com/ there will soon appear an article "Wife with a trailer" - it is about spouses with children from their first marriage and the problems associated with it. Take your time with "single motherhood." Read, think, write.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Hello, father. I am married, I have two children. I'm not happy in marriage. There is no such thing as two souls together. On the Internet, I met a boy, he is 21 years old. Four months of the Internet, phone calls, skype until the morning. I felt myself the happiest, most desirable, beautiful. Fell in love, he too. We understood each other perfectly. But ... he met a good girl. They are still dating. It hurt, I admit it, but I coped with it. Now we rarely communicate, but as friends. And so my husband read our correspondence, there was everything in this correspondence ... He got mad, he said: a divorce. That will not tolerate this, my love. I tell him that everything is over, we are friends. Does not believe. My husband works in another city, I see him once a month. Therefore, it is not surprising that I fell in love. My husband called me fat, he said, divorce, if I don't lose weight. And even earlier I found his correspondence with girls. Respect is zero, and understanding too. And this moment, when I am on the verge of divorce, I try to seem strong, and I myself am on the verge of despair. I don't know what to do, let him go or fight for him for the sake of the children. We ceased to be relatives for a long time. I don’t know how to make the right move. Father, help with prayers from wild despair. I'm scared. Tell me where is the exit. I am afraid of loneliness, but this also cannot continue. Thank you in advance.

Helena

Hello, Elena. "Happiness" and "unhappiness" are emotional, that is, internal phenomena. They do not fall from anywhere above. And these states are never conditioned external conditions... Unless a person is completely, completely immersed in material life and does not seek the entrance to the Kingdom of God. You need to start returning to yourself, through prayer, confession, tears of repentance. You don't eat everything, you are picky about food. Treat the same to what your soul eats. And she feeds on impressions from external and internal sources. Good food for the soul is the Divine Scriptures - the Gospel, the Epistles of the Apostles, the writings of the Holy Fathers. These are not just books, they are spiritual food. It is impossible to achieve the health of the soul by pouring in it indiscriminately streams of information. In addition to reading, one must also force oneself to live according to those commandments and the image that is taught in this reading. You need to instill in yourself the skill of prayer, which should be simple and sincere, and you need to ask only one thing - the mercy of God. Where is the exit, you ask? The exit, or rather the entrance, is within you. No need to rush. And leave until the time all attempts to regulate the space around you. There will be no order in it until the inner space begins to correct itself. Be sure to resort to the help of the Sacraments of the Church - Confession and Communion. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Good day! Please tell me after 25 years life together the husband said that he fell in love with another and left the family. I, a married wife, got a stab in the back, married for 15 years, and children - two sons. Nobody expected such an act from dad. I understand, this is MY test, and the children? Dad is 50 years old, does NOT communicate with children. The oldest is 26, the youngest is 23. HOW to save the children, what to tell them about the act of their DAD, so that they do not have hatred for him? The marriage was not debunked by me. My husband demanded a divorce from me, and registered his relationship with the woman with whom he lives. He is fine. Please tell me joy to my husband and suffering to us. If for me and my children his act is a test, then for my husband his act is grace?

Irina

Hello Irina. You need to worry less about what your children will think, they are no longer small, but pay more attention to yourself. The Gospel tells us that the Kingdom of God is within man, if you like, paradise, but we forget about what the Gospel was silent about, but which naturally follows from what has been said - and hell is in the same place, inside us, mixing into different proportions... And the ratio of these proportions depends on us. When a person approaches the Image God's life according to the commandments of the Gospel, then God reigns in his soul, paradise comes. When he lives according to his own notions of justice, demands it for himself, judges everyone and everything, then the Image of God is fragmented, and another kingdom comes in the soul - hell. Let's not find out who is right and who is wrong. Because everyone is to blame. And let's worry about the fact that with my own hands we create torment for ourselves, and we will do everything to prevent this from happening. You have the right and the power to force yourself to live according to the Gospel, everything else should not concern you. May God grant you health.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, I have such a situation. My husband and I have been married for 4 years, married, I took this step consciously, and my husband simply did not oppose me. We have a child, a 1.5 year old girl. We were waiting for her very much, there was no conjugal relationship during the whole pregnancy. And we didn't fight, I was so happy about it! But after the birth of our daughter, we constantly swear, my husband does not hear me, I don’t understand him, he spends very little time with us, I constantly throw tantrums, I don’t recognize myself! I feel like we are completely different people, but how to get divorced, we got married? The daughter loves her father very much, he loves her too. Do I have the right to deprive her of a complete family? What if the scandals don't stop, how will she look at all this? What do i do?

Ksenia

Dear Ksenia, you need to understand the reason why this misunderstanding occurs between you and your spouse. Maybe this is a fairly serious conversation, maybe you need the help of a family psychologist. I am sure the problem can be solved. But, among other things, I urge you to turn to the Lord for help - visit the temple regularly, pray earnestly at home and read the Gospel and spiritual literature. The Lord will not leave you in trouble!

Archpriest Andrey Efanov

Hello! Please help me, I have been living lately with a heavy heart. Lived with my husband for 11 years in marriage. They got married. Two children were raised. But they did not live in harmony. It was a rare day without abuse and insults. For the last 7 years, my husband has been working as a truck driver and has run into huge debts. Didn't come home for months. I gave birth to two children, but he never came to the hospital for one. There were more important things to do. And my husband did not have time for a family. He did not give money at all. I, as I could, fed the family, dressed, supported. Thank you, my parents helped me well, both with children and financially. For this, apparently, he strongly dislikes them. The husband was in the house as a guest. Rarely and for a couple of days. I was fornicating on the track, and I was treating unpleasant illnesses from him. Itself did not change. For me, this is disgusting even in thought. I loved him, forgave a lot: insults, humiliations, and reproaches that I was a disabled person. There were good moments in our life, but not enough. I have not seen love and respect from my husband, and I cannot tell you anything about a happy family life. And lately everything was really bad. Wake up at night, and let's start talking about divorce. He asked several times to collect his things. Explained nothing. Well, I could not resist. I collected his things and put him on the threshold. He left. And a month later he started another family, lives with another woman. He says that it is right for me, since I kicked him out myself, but he forgot about his words and requests for divorce and refuses. For three months my soul was completely calm. I was surprised at myself, I was left without a husband, but I am not grieving. And then everything collapsed at once, and such a turmoil on my soul and a heaviness on my heart, I cry. I don’t know what to pray to the Lord for my husband to return to the family - but I’m afraid that we will not see happiness, but again there will be insults, reproaches and foul language. I know that I should wish that woman and husband happiness, since they feel good together, but there is confusion and melancholy in their souls. Do I love my husband or just jealous? I really need your advice, how to be, how to understand yourself? Please advise which icon to turn to? Maybe there is an admonishing prayer that would help me put everything in its place?

Ludmila

Dear Lyudmila, you broke up with your ex-husband, he has a different life. Another family. Try to begin with just not remembering him, except in prayer, accustom yourself to the fact that you now have a different life. With time, I hope you will be able to forgive your ex-husband, and then you will be able to create a new family. But you have to pray. First of all, by common prayers. Train yourself to daily morning and evening prayer, go to church every Sunday. If you wish, you can add prayers to the Most Holy Theotokos in front of Her "Seven-shot" icon. God bless you!

Archpriest Andrey Efanov

Hello! My husband and I are divorced, but not debunked. How do we end a church marriage?

Kristina

Hello Christina! Church marriage is a union blessed by God. And in the Holy Scripture it is clearly said: “What God has combined, let not man separate” (Matthew, 19; 6). That is, a church marriage cannot be “broken off”. The Church, due to human weakness, can bless a spouse who is not guilty of divorce to enter into a second marriage. This requires the permission of the ruling bishop. If you are not going to remarry soon, then leave everything as it is.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello father! Help! My husband left me for another girl (we are not married). We have a little baby. Please tell me if I have the right to pray that he will return to the family, if so, how? And he also became completely uncontrollable, does what he wants, began to drink, smoke and sometimes use soft drugs. How can I pray for him to change his mind? I love him very much, he has changed dramatically, I wish him well, how can I pray for him?

Marina

Marina, you can pray for your husband in church on Sunday. It's the most important. At home, you can also mention him daily in morning and evening prayers. You can read the akathist to St. Nicholas the Wonderworker. But ... the "uncontrollable" husband will return to you, and what will you do? Where to run from him when he is under the influence of drugs will be dangerous for you and the child? Shouldn't we consider it a grace of God that he left you to "educate" another girl? Now she will live with him, and also, God willing, will remember the Lord. Do you feel sorry for yourself? That they were left alone with the child, that it was hard both physically and financially, that it was a shame to be betrayed? Do not be afraid! Go to the church for confession, correct your mistakes: you chose the wrong one with whom you could live and from whom you had to give birth. Now we need to walk the path of sorrow, but God will not leave. Cheer up! And do not ask Him for what you cannot bear.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Hello! The fact is that I fell in love with the person very much, even lived with him, and did not even swear almost, began to go to church every Sunday. But now, after confession, already the second father says that it is better for us to part. So painful and insulting, because we love each other, and I am ready, and he is ready for any problems in life, together we will overcome them. And here's the thing. The fact that we lived in a civil marriage, it is something I know that it is a sin to have a very close relationship before the wedding ... I constantly repented. Father even advised to abstain from the sacrament for now ... since it is impossible not to sin. I also said, and the father knew that I had two children from another man, we lived together for about 8 years, but there was little happiness, he drank, raised his hand against me and the children, frightened, threatened, I somehow forgave and I forgave until my feelings were completely extinguished ... Now I can treat him like a friend. When I left him, and we divorced 2 years ago, we just got back together and lived together again. But when she went to another, he began to believe and accepted baptism. Now he goes to church and prays. All priests insist that they must return to their ex-spouse, since he is the father of the children. We parted with that, he really won't understand why I packed my things and left back to ex-husband, because there is no love ... And the husband is happy, he is already planning a wedding. I have been in tears for 3 days. What to do, how to be ... Such terrible thoughts creep in ..

Lydia

Lydia, if there is no love for the first husband, then, I think, there will be no good. How do children relate to their father? How did they accept your cohabitation, another person? It is difficult for me to say something definite. You are rushing about, running back and forth, which means that you yourself have not decided. While you will live separately with the children, observe life, your feelings. Pray, live like this for 3-4 months, and make a decision.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Hello father! I have been married for 5 months, married. I have such a problem, after marriage my wife began to control me in this and did not allow me to communicate with women from the past, on this basis we had a lot of quarrels, but I furtively continued this communication, I did not change. But the other day my wife saw this call to a woman from the past, I swore that I did not call, I deceived. But she found out the truth and said that she could not live with a liar. Is it a sin, communicating with women just like that, and that, because of this, you need to get a divorce? In general, my wife left me and filed for divorce. Who is to blame for us, maybe her impatience and jealousy over trifles? She is in the church with me. What am I supposed to do?

Alexey

Alexey, if "women from the past" were intimate with you, then your wife can be understood. I don't think that contacts with young ladies will remain harmless. Put yourself in the shoes of your wife: she meets innocently with former roommates ... Will you care? I advise you to limit your relationship with the opposite sex and make peace with your wife.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Good day! They lived with my husband for 25 years, married for 15 years, God gave 2 sons. But in 2010, the husband left for another woman. He said that the children and I are the closest people to him. When he was leaving, he said that his head had been blown away, he could not do anything with himself, his legs were carrying him there. He does not communicate with children. How can I help him? How can I get out of depression? Or maybe leave everything as it is, but my soul and heart ache. Psychologists cannot help me, I break down and cry. I ask you, give advice, please. Thank you.

Irina

Hello Irina. Psychology is trying to change your attitude to what is happening. As a rule, these changes imply the removal of all responsibility and worries. For a Christian, this is, at the very least, not useful. The sorrows that happen to us must be taken as you would take from the hands of a doctor a disgusting medicine, which alone can save you from a fatal illness. Because suffering is the cure for eternal death. And God gives them to us. Correct use of the medicine is the key to recovery. In sorrow, one should thank God, simply and artlessly: "Glory to God, glory to God, glory to God." Repeat always when sorrow and tears begin from self-pity. Through this, you will receive great benefit and relief. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Hello, tell me, can I get debunked if my husband does not love my child from his first marriage? My husband and I do not agree on anything at all. Constant misunderstanding. We are just completely different people. But this is not the main thing, I would agree to endure and forgive him. But the child suffers. He interferes with her husband, the husband is constantly angry with him, and we constantly quarrel over the child. In addition, I want another child, and my husband is not in any. Should I, then, be married just because I made a mistake and got married? I'm just afraid for the psyche of the child. I already spat on myself.

Cassandra

Let's start with the fact that it is impossible to raise and educate a child by “spitting on oneself”. The child will not respect such a parent, which means that he will not listen. Of course, you can dissolve the marriage (and the church one too). Nobody condemns you to serfdom, but you will have to ask God for forgiveness for the folly when creating a family, for hasty vows at the altar, if you are a believer and understand the meaning of the church blessing.

Archpriest Maxim Khizhiy

Good day! My mother-in-law disliked me, and encourages her husband to leave me with the child. The thing is, she wants us to do everything she wants, down to every little thing. I don’t want to obey her, and my husband completely depends on her words, as she says, and does so, we have scandals every day because of this, I get nervous, cry, he became cold, angry, inattentive, constantly offends me, child practically does not devote time. It seems to me that he is already ready to leave us. Advise me how to be. We are not married (my mother does not allow him, because she wants a divorce).

Svetlana

Hello Svetlana. Adult children should live their own own home, separately from parents, and visit them on holidays, and to provide assistance in need. There is no need to fight with the mother-in-law, believe me, you will only make it worse for yourself. In any family, even without the participation of parents, two egoisms always collide, and their happiness depends on how much they can reconcile themselves to each other. But, when the third egoism also appears, hold on here. We do not have a commandment - “let people love you”, or “demand love for yourself”, but we have another commandment - “let people love one another” (John 13:34), show love yourself. Do not demand humility from others, humble yourself. Then all adversity will subside. The Lord allows you to suffer a little, not as He suffered, but just a little. Be patient, complacently, and benefit. And life will get better, and the soul will get better. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

I wanted to know if my husband and I are divorced, but got along and love each other, can we get married?

Ksenia

Hello Ksenia! Currently, weddings take place only after marriage registration at the registry office. Therefore, most likely, you will not be married without a stamp in your passport. Check this question with your temple. If you are determined to be together until the end of your days, then why not sign again before the wedding, this procedure does not take much time.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello father! Sorry to distract you, but I really need your help. My husband and I have been married for 6 years, not married, no children. During this time, there were three frozen pregnancies. I don’t know why God doesn’t give us children, but we want it that way. I even wrote to the Khilandar monastery that it is on Mount Athos, and the monks sent us the vine of St. Simeon. But there is a condition: the marriage must be married. The husband previously talked about the wedding, and now he is silent. And so the other day we quarreled, and he reproached me that I have no children. I felt offended, because I try, go to the doctors, I want a child from him, and then the reproach ... It became very painful, and when I decided to talk to him, he said that he did not want to live like that, and that I would leave ... So I don't know what to do next, I have been married for 6 years, and why there are no children, and why does he not support me, but on the contrary? After all, we must fight, ask God. On the one hand, I don't want to divorce him, but on the other hand, maybe that's why there are no children, that they shouldn't be together, so why then did God bring us together in life? True, everything is not like with people: there is no housing, it seems to be there, but it is not completed, with work - I do not have it, he has it permanent, I depend on his work, because he has such a job, that today in one city, and tomorrow in another, and I cannot be realized, and there are no children. The impression is that it turns us strongly, but whether these are tests that must be endured, or I do not know. Help, father, please, in my situation, thank you very much. May God protect you!

Marina

Hello Marina! Of course, you must carry this cross together. You need to go to church, confess and receive communion, correct your life, pray for the gift of a child. Everything is possible for God, but we must give the opportunity to be fulfilled by the will of God, and not necessarily seek the fulfillment of our desire. Not only you, but also your husband needs to break himself and trust God. Perhaps the Lord expects this step from you. Pray Mother of God in front of Her icon of Theodorovskaya, read the akathist. At the wedding, God gives great grace to spouses to create a family if they approach the sacrament with faith. But the husband must come to this decision himself; one cannot force him to marry for the sake of his wife. God help you to go through all the trials together and save your family!

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello, father. My daughter is married, in church, her husband does not, and does not go to church, and does not pray. They have a child. Her husband is constantly rude to her, constant nagging, insults. She suffers a lot from him. She doesn't want to live with him. She endured everything until the question touched the child. He yells at the child, swears in front of the child. Recently there was a case: it is cold, the car stalled and would not start. We drove with the child to the temple. I called him, he answered: "And what have I to do with it?" The fact that his child is freezing in the car, he said: "Well, so what?" She passed out. He hasn't called back and hasn't called for several days. Interested in nothing. My daughter is with me now. How should she be? She says that while it was only about her, she endured. Now she is touching the child, and she does not want to live with him anymore.

Olga Anatolyevna

Hello Olga Anatolyevna. It is necessary that your daughter herself turn to her confessor for advice - after all, you write that she is church-going. Patience and love are required from you. There is not a single person without sin. We are all equally guilty before God. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Father, hello. At 18, I got married and got married. In the future, the husband got a mistress, she became pregnant, and he went to her. Now I am 27 and I met a man. But the thought that I took an oath to love and be with one person all my life does not leave me alone. Can you please tell me what can be done?

Nina

Hello Nina! Adultery is the only basis for divorce mentioned in the Gospel. This is a sin that in itself already destroys the family. If you have already decided on your feelings and decided to remarry, then you need to take the blessing for the second marriage from your ruling bishop. It can be obtained by contacting the diocesan administration at the place of residence (for residents of Moscow, you need to contact the Moscow Patriarchate) with a petition addressed to the ruling bishop, having with you a certificate of dissolution of a civil registered marriage and, if preserved, a certificate of wedding.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello, please tell me, maybe I'm doing something wrong? Divorced for 8 years, still no one, why GOD DOESN'T GIVE ME HUSBAND, WHAT IS THE REASON, I REALLY NEED HIS PRESENCE!

Catherine

Hello Ekaterina. Everything has its time. Believe me, God gives you what you need to be saved. It is up to you whether to accept it or be dissatisfied. When the ancient Jews, seeing that all the surrounding nations have kings, envied them and began to demand a king for themselves, God said to the prophet Samuel: "They did not reject you, but Me." And he gave the people King Saul, a tyrant and a psychopath. The people suffered a lot from him. But when he humbled himself, he received another king, a just and God-fearing David. Persistent begging from God for earthly well-being (health, husband, work) is similar to the example given with the requirement of the king by the Jews. God knows what we need even before our petition. But if we humble ourselves and thank God for what He gives us, whether we like it or not, then we will have everything necessary for temporal and eternal life, and we will not suffer. God help you.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Father, hello! Forgive me for wasting your time and trying to somehow solve my problem. We have been married to my husband for 25 years. Our marriage is crowned. The spouse is a big drinker. It started small, and then his binges began to reach 2 weeks. Tried to be coded for 3 years. But after 3 years everything started all over again. Now he is most likely a chronic alcoholic. Drinks for three days, sober for four. And so every week. By himself, he is not a rowdy, he does not beat or swear, but he constantly drinks. He is, so to speak, a quiet alcoholic. Normal, calm family life does not work. I am constantly annoyed, became very nervous. I tried to talk to him, persuade, swear, pour out his stash. He seems to understand everything that this is bad, even goes to church, takes communion, but he still does it in his own way. Even after communion, the next day comes drunk. He flatly refuses to be treated. My son is already 21 years old, thank God, he does not follow his father's example yet, but I don’t know what will happen next. Please advise what to do. Give up everything and divorce, because there is no more strength to endure, or to carry your cross to the end and endure, after all, are we married? Thanks in advance for your reply.

Svetlana

Hello Svetlana! Of course, you can get a divorce (one of the reasons for the dissolution of a church marriage is medically certified chronic alcoholism), but what will fix it? "Coding" through hypnosis is frowned upon by the Church and can exacerbate the defect. If your husband is a believer, invite him to go to the city of Serpukhov, Moscow region, to miraculous icon Holy Mother of God Inexhaustible Chalice. Order a magpie for your husband, order a prayer service, take water from this prayer service with you. Let the husband drink this water and ask God and the Mother of God for help. The main thing is that he himself wants to fight his passion. You, too, will strengthen your prayer for him. With God's help all things are possible. God help you!

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Instructions on how to properly be baptized by the Orthodox.

Upon arriving at the church, you will notice that many of the visitors are baptized completely incorrectly or with errors. Many do not reach their fingers to the abdomen, and someone chooses the wrong direction. Many are waving their hands. It is worth noting that you need to be baptized according to the rules. In this article we will tell you how to do this and not sin.

Three fingers is the Orthodox way of being baptized. It is necessary to initially fold the fingers correctly and make movements with the palm in the right direction.

Instructions:

• Place your thumb, middle, and forefinger together.
• At the same time, press the ring finger and little finger to the palm of your hand.
• Now press your palm against the frontal bone and lower it just above the navel
• Next, move your three fingers from right to left.

Initially, they were baptized with only two fingers, but everything changed in the 13th century. In the 17th century, three fingers were documented. Although on some ancient icons you can see two fingers.

Three fingers mean the Holy Trinity. They are Father, Son and holy spirit. It is the three clenched fingers that show reverence for the Trinity. At the same time, the ring and little fingers are pressed to the palm. These fingers mean Divine grace and ask the Lord to help.

You need to be baptized slowly, correctly deducing the movements. It is believed that the one who is in a hurry, I will call on myself. Demons rejoice at such negligence.

What should you say when you are baptized?

This is a kind of ritual that will help you cleanse. After all, when you touch your forehead, you clear your head, then internal organs and the whole body.

Words and pronunciation order:

• Applying a three-fingered flask, we say: "In the name of the Father"
• Then we lower our hand to the stomach: "And the Son"
• We cross the right and left shoulder, we say: "And the Holy Spirit"

When entering the temple, you must stand facing the entrance and cross yourself once, pronouncing the necessary words. After that, a fairly low bow is made. Again you need to cross yourself and bow and again. Thus, you are baptized and worshiped three times.

How is it correct and how many times to be baptized in church in front of an icon?

In front of the icon, you should be baptized once, only when you approach it. After that, a candle is placed and a prayer is said.

This is quite difficult, as there are many rules. If you rarely go to church, then you should be baptized when priests do it. Worship is worth a lot.

There are two types of bows:

• Waist
• Terrestrial

The bow bow is usually used after prayers. The largest part of prostrations is done during Great Lent. Bowing to the ground means the fall of a person in sin, and then rebellion, this is a kind of forgiveness of the sinner by the great mercy of the Lord.

Usually the prayer is said in front of the icons. As soon as you stand in front of the icon, cross yourself. After that, read the prayer and cross yourself again. Be sure to make a small bow.

How is it correct for Orthodox Christians to be baptized before entering the cemetery?

In general, right at the entrance to the cemetery, you should cross yourself three times. After you leave, cross yourself three times again. This ritual is performed to ask the Lord for hearing. This way, the dead can hear what you say to them.

It is necessary to come to the grave and read an intense prayer. It is worth asking for forgiveness from the deceased. If you wish, you can read the akathist about the repose of the departed. Next, clean up the grave and remember the deceased in good words. No need to drink at the grave and leave vodka with bread. These are remnants of paganism. In addition, because of such "gifts", the homeless often stamp on the grave and disturb the deceased. Now no one leaves such "goodies". Regarding sweets and cookies in memorial days, then it is also better to distribute them to friends and ask them to remember. If you leave the package on the grave, the homeless will trample there.

The procedure is simple. It is necessary to plunge into the water three times and cross. After that, it is said “In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Amen". Diving is carried out with the head. You should not wear a swimsuit, it is best to do this in a shirt. It is believed that exhibiting your bodies is not good.

Do I need to be baptized when passing, driving past a church, a temple?

Yes, when walking or driving past a church, you should definitely be baptized. In this way, you are showing your faith.

There are many beliefs and different signs associated with the crossroads. It is in these places that magicians leave their things. Accordingly, nothing can be picked up at intersections. In order not to provoke trouble on themselves, believers often cross themselves at crossroads. But this is not necessary at all.

Can I be baptized while sitting?

In the church, they calmly treat the elderly and the weak. They are not forced to stand while serving. If you have health problems, you can sit during the service and get baptized without getting up. Yet, you show your obedience to Christ when you stand the entire service.

Yes, the main thing is that you have Faith within you. Therefore, you can not be baptized, but believe in God. Still, it is generally accepted that a believer should attend church and be baptized.

As you can see, it is better to be a believer and pray in your own way than to go to church and do everything automatically. Faith must live within you.

VIDEO: Features of baptism

Records found: 26

Hello! I have a disease that prevents me from making the sign of the cross with my right hand, can I do it with my left, or just mentally? Save Christ.

Irina

Irina, in your case, you can be baptized with your left hand.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! Save the LORD us all! Please help with advice. I try to start living according to Orthodox teaching. The LORD brought me to the Church quite recently. In 2014 at Palm Sunday I went to church for the first time. And my first confession took place. Since that time, I no longer want to live as before, but the fear remains that for some reason everything may change. After all, even the Apostle Peter believed so that he would not betray the TEACHER, and he did not resist at the moment of trial. My difficulty is that I just can't get rid of my embarrassment. I really want not to be ashamed of going to church, and without looking back I would like to impose the sign of the cross on myself in front of the church. And when I go to confession, I have to directly overcome myself. It’s hard to walk, and I can’t not walk. Advise how to eradicate the embarrassment that strives to move me away from the truth so dear to my heart? And please pray for the servant of GOD Nina, so that GOD will strengthen me in my endeavor and this undertaking would turn into an integral part of life, so that there is understanding to the will of GOD. In order to certainly reach the end of the path and not turn away from it due to cowardice, lack of faith and conceit. Thank you very much for answering my questions more than once.

Nina

Nina, your embarrassment and false shame will pass over time if you firmly follow the path you have chosen. Pray and put your hope in God. God help you!

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello! Before Communion at the Easter service (at night) is it necessary to read at home evening prayers? How is it read already Easter or ordinary? Are Thanksgiving Prayers read in the morning after Communion on Easter and on Bright Week? And yet, do the sign of the cross and bow when carrying out the Gifts before or after the priest reads the prayer "Thy supper ..."?

Olga

Olga, the rule for Holy Communion before Easter service is read as usual. At the end of the Liturgy, if you have received Communion, read thanksgiving prayers after Holy Communion, preceded by the threefold troparion "Christ is Risen ...". Before going to bed, read Easter hours instead of prayers for future sleep. The bow is done with the taking out of the Holy Gifts and the exclamation "With the fear of God and with faith, approach!"

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Hello, I have a question. A friend of mine told me that a friend baptized her in church the other way around. It's not good, is it?

Irina

I do not quite understand what it means to “cross the other way”? I mean, did you make the sign of the cross in the wrong order? Well, for the person to whom it was done, there will be no consequences, but the one who does such things with malicious intent runs the risk of incurring trouble.

deacon Ilya Kokin

Hello father! Tell me, please, when I cross my children, and they stand facing me, I cross their forehead, belly, their right shoulder, their left shoulder, and if I baptize my husband "in the back" - head, belly, and then? From left to right or vice versa (as if he himself was baptized?) God save.

Ksenia

If you baptize yourself, then put the sign of the cross first on your right shoulder, then on your left. If you baptize someone (it doesn't matter if he is facing you or with his back), then the hand should first go to the left, then to the right.

deacon Ilya Kokin

Hello! Father, please answer: why ask for forgiveness from God if God is All-Forgiving Love? And why is it so difficult to make the sign of the cross in public, for example, in the workplace? Save God!

Helena

Love is love, and God also has justice, and no less! If we do not ask ourselves for pardon, for cleansing from sins, then why would the Lord forgive us, such foolish ones ?!

Abbot Nikon (Golovko)

Hello, father. Is it possible to pray and apply the sign of the cross if I am not baptized?

Vadim

Of course you can, but if you already believe how orthodox person and are ready to confess their faith (after all, the sign of the cross is also a confession of faith), then it's time to think about baptism.

deacon Ilya Kokin

Hello, father. I have a question. At the Holy Liturgy, during the singing of the cherubim, many people in the church fold their hands, as if before the sacrament, explaining this by the fact that in this church there is such a tradition, they say, they represent the cherubim, although it is known that folding their hands before the sacrament denotes the sign of the cross. before accepting the blood and body of Christ (and so as not to hurt the Chalice) The question is this. Should such traditions be fought? After all, the Liturgy, like the holy icons, was written by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, in this case, St. Basil the Great, St. John Chrysostom. I think that it is not in our competence to change something in Divine Liturgy or other ordinances of the church. For some reason, the abbot of the church takes this normally. Should I try to convince the abbot to take this more seriously?

Alexander

Hello, Alexander. The question is not who, how and when folds their hands, but what is the meaning of this action. For example, when approaching a blessing, it is customary to fold your palms in a boat to receive the blessing right hand in them. Quite a rational action. And when, during the divine service, the priest from the throne overshadows all those present in the church and also, if not all, then many, fold their hands in a boat and then press them to their chest. The question is, why? I once asked, they answered me: in order not to miss the grace. As if it can be caught in the palm of the hand just like the priest's right hand! Here and here - the cross-shaped folding of the arms on the chest - one of the ancient forms of the sign of the cross. If the same meaning is invested in this case, then this is good. But if this imitation is “we are cherubs,” then this is analogous to catching grace in the palms of our hands. There is no need to fight, there will be no benefit, and you yourself will come to frustration and upset people. But you can try in an amicable way, without mockery, to depict what this action looks like from the point of view of common sense. But first, find out whether people really depict cherubim, and not draw a cross on themselves. And, of course, nothing should be done without the blessing of the abbot.

Priest Alexander Beloslyudov

Is it possible to apply the sign of the cross when you read morning prayers, because not all prayers have direct indications of this. Is it not a violation to put the sign of the cross after reading the prayer Our Father, because at the end of the prayer there is no indication of this. After each prayer, I make the sign of the cross. Thanks.

Avik

You are absolutely right, Avik, do not be embarrassed. In general, make the sign of the cross when the soul asks, even if quite often, this is very good!

Abbot Nikon (Golovko)

How and when to make the sign of the cross? What to say while doing this? Should you always say amen after prayer?

Maksim

Maxim, after prayer you should always say "Amen". Amen is a confirmation of what we have read and that we accept it and agree with it. In church, you need to try to be baptized with everyone, at home - as necessary, as you want. It is not necessary to say something at the same time.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello! Explain, please, why the Orthodox used to switch from two fingers to three fingers when applying the cross? After all, we see two fingers on the icons? I understand that we, ordinary laymen, do not need to bother with this, this is not the main thing. But after watching the movie "The Split" it became interesting to me to find out. Thanks in advance for your reply!

Galina

Hello Galina! In 1653, Patriarch Nikon began his reforms, which led to a split in the Russian Church. These reforms begin with a change in the way the fingers are folded when the sign of the cross is made: the two-finger (the two-finger sign of the cross), which was previously adopted in Russia, is replaced by the three-finger (the three-finger sign of the cross). Both methods of folding the fingers express the same content: in both cases, both the symbolism of the Trinity (signifying the Trinity) and the symbolism of duality (signifying the two natures of Christ - the Divine and the human) are expressed; however, in the previously adopted method of folding the fingers, the idea of ​​the Trinity was conveyed by the combination thumb with a ring and little finger, and the idea of ​​God-manhood is a combination of the index and middle fingers, while in the new method of finger-making, the idea of ​​the Trinity is conveyed by a combination of the thumb, index and middle fingers, and the idea of ​​God-manhood is expressed by the combination of the ring finger with the little finger. Nikon's reforms did not concern the content - they concerned the form; nevertheless, they provoked an unusually harsh reaction. Patriarch Nikon's motives are well known: he wanted to bring Russian church rite in full accordance with the Greek. The Greeks had three fingers, and it was natural to think that the Greeks kept The right way folds of fingers, while the Russians deviated from him. On the contrary, Nikon's opponents - the Old Believers - proceeded from the fact that correct rite preserved in Russia. Later research showed that the Old Believers were right: they retained the old Greek way of composing the finger, which was changed by the Greeks themselves. The sign of the cross was adopted in Byzantium at the time of the baptism of Russia and was naturally borrowed from there by the Russians. Apparently, the two-finger was replaced by the three-finger among the Greeks in the XII-XIII centuries. As for the icons, then you are mistaken: on the icons we see not two fingers, but a blessing gesture.

Priest Vladimir Shlykov

Valentine

Valentine, the main thing in prayer is our heart and mind. During prayer, we are baptized, if possible. You need to pray always and everywhere, and of course, it is not necessary to be baptized during prayer, if there is no such opportunity.

Hieromonk Victorin (Aseev)

Hello. Tell me, my son has a congenital defect in his right hand, when he tries to be baptized, it does not work out very well, how can he be baptized after prayer? Thanks for the answer.

Sergey

Sergei, in this case, you can impose the sign of the cross on yourself with your left hand, that's okay.

Abbot Nikon (Golovko)

Where in the scriptures and in the acts of cathedrals it is said that it is necessary to baptize infants, venerate the relics of saints, study the Holy Scriptures through the prism of the creations of the holy fathers, worship the Mother of God, the apostles, saints, pray for the dead, consecrate water, worship the cross, rank people as saints, the sign of the cross, to honor the tradition of the holy elders, the funeral service for the dead? I apologize in advance for the insolence of writing such questions, you just need to answer something to Protestants for their reproaches to Orthodoxy. After all, they believe that after the apostolic time all doctrine was completely distorted, therefore Protestants are now "restoring" it. If possible, then answer these questions from the side of the Gospel and the teachings of the apostles, and, if possible, where in the acts of councils all of the above is attested?

Maksim

Maxim, the questions you have asked are so diverse that, unfortunately, in the format of our site it will simply not be possible to answer everything at once. The fact is that here you will have to cite a huge number of sources, reasoning and historical facts on each issue, the current that we run the risk of exceeding all permissible limits. Therefore, I think to advise you on some literature. First, of course, Slobodsky's "Law of God" directly (a video course was created on his book on our website), and secondly, textbooks on dogmatic theology, the most popular of which belongs to Priest Oleg Davydenkov. Finally, SV Bulgakov's book "Orthodoxy. Schisms. Heresies. Sects", and with it - any textbook on comparative theology. Well, and, finally, a selection of literature on the website of the Orthodox Society "ABC of Faith" at this address: http://azbyka.ru/religii/ You do not have to study all these sources at all to find answers to questions, no - just flip through and look through, since already by the titles it will be possible to understand in which chapter what is being said. This will be enough.

Abbot Nikon (Golovko)

Hello! Thanks for answers. Can you help me with one more question: where can I read the information about which psalm means what (what is it called) and which one needs to be read out of fear, I am constantly and in everything haunted by some kind of fear and uncertainty. And one more thing: what is the right way to be baptized (the sign of the cross)? Once in church I was baptized, but my grandmother told me that this is not how I do it. I remembered. As time passed, I again forgot how to do it right, asked again, and again I was not sure (from left to right or vice versa). I do not understand why it finds such oblivion! How to remember once and for all? Thanks.

Svetlana

You can read about the Psalms and Psalms from Archpriest Grigory Razumovsky in the book "Explanation of the Holy Book of Psalms" (the electronic version is available here: http://azbyka.ru/hristianstvo/bibliya/vethiy_zavet/razumovskiy_psalmi_oglavlenie-all.shtml). As for which psalm from fear, I'm afraid that I won't tell you. It still seems to me that the psalms are read not “for something,” but “for something,” and above all for the cleansing of the soul from sins and for spiritual perfection.
And you need to be baptized as follows: first put the sign of the cross on your forehead, then on your stomach, then your right and left shoulder.

Abbot Nikon (Golovko)

Father, I'm sorry to bother you, I searched the Internet, how to behave during the service, I found the basic rules, but what interested me - no. Tell me how to behave at the Great Entrance? At the words of "Our Great Lord and Father ...", "You and all Orthodox Christians ..." To be baptized or to stand with fear? Even at the end, for example, of the requiem, with the words of the priest: "Christ, our true God ..." the priest is baptized. And should we be baptized? And further: "He will have mercy on us, like the Good and the Lover of Man ..." Father is baptized again, but what should we do? Even when the people are overshadowed with the Gospel, is everyone just bowing, or is it necessary to cross and bow? Thanks. Sorry. There are many questions, I can't find answers.

Irina

Irina, these are not very important things: do what you want. But to roughly figure out exactly how to act, you can be guided by the following "scheme", very conditional, of course.
Christians simply stand without being baptized or bowing at those moments of the service when they want to express special reverence for the shrine and not disturb the prayer mood of those around them.
A small bow is usually done out of respect for the actions of the clergy, when they bow to you in the same way: when burning incense, when closing the Royal Doors and at some other moments.
And we impose the sign of the cross on ourselves when we participate in the prayer of the priest, we pray with him, for example, during the Great Entrance ("Great Lord ...") or dismissal ("Christ, our true God ..."), because the words that the priest says at these moments - this is a prayer wish for spiritual benefits for us and we, of course, join this prayer ourselves.

Abbot Nikon (Golovko)

According to the Church Charter, it is necessary to make the sign of the cross before the reading of the prayer and at the end, during the reading of the evening and morning rule... The priest does not always make the sign of the cross at the beginning of a prayer. Please clarify when it is correct to make the sign of the cross?

Tamara

Tamara, but to make the sign of the cross then or then is not a dogma, but rather advice. With very deep prayer, many do not get baptized at all - and there is nothing bad or surprising in this.

Abbot Nikon (Golovko)

Hello, please tell me, is it necessary to make the sign of the cross in the prayer "Our Father ..." after the words "but deliver us from the evil one"?

Dmitriy

We must cross ourselves with the sign of the cross at the beginning and end of prayer.

Archpriest Andrey Efanov

Hello. 1. I do not understand everything about witchcraft. I read Orthodox books on this topic, but there is confusion. They say: "Do not be afraid of witchcraft ( different kinds needles, rags, etc.), since we are under the protection of our Lord our God and the main thing is to be afraid of sin. "I FULLY AGREE WITH THIS! But, on the other hand, it is written in the Orthodox book" Beware of strange things of others. " But what to do if you nevertheless noticed a strange witchcraft? And you do not have the opportunity to bypass it and even cross it. For example, there is a strange thing at the threshold, I should not be afraid of it, but on the other hand I must beware. What to do? into your hand and throw it away and not think about it, because God protects! But still there is a warning against such things and one sign of the cross may not help. I think you understand the subtlety of my misunderstanding. 2. In one Orthodox book it is written "there are no love spells ", the will of a person does not violate the Lord himself. In others it is written that there is such a thing. (As I think, it can temporarily, since the Lord does not allow further) What is the truth? 3. The fact that demons cannot make a person sin without the will it's clear. But why Why are there damned places where a person commits this sin? Judging by the testimony of many people, there is such a thing in life. The fact that if you go to church, receive communion, nothing will hurt you, in this I firmly believe. I'm just interested. How are these slightly twofold, and how are both correct teachings, "to combine" in the mind? Your thoughts on what I have written. Thanks for the answer!

Alexander

I am not an expert on these issues, so I can only say what I would have done myself. If I noticed a "strange witchcraft", I would just throw it away, not attaching any importance to it. You can also cross without thinking whether the sign of the cross will help or not. It will help if with faith. In the same way as any action with double thoughts will go to the detriment, as the ap. Jacob. About love spells, cuffs, etc. - here, too, everything depends on faith. If a person really believes in God, i.e. lives based on faith, if he participates in church sacraments - nothing threatens him. But if his faith is weak, he is not sure that he is immune from all sorts of magical manipulations, about which science has nothing to say, but Holy Bible and the Church condemns them, without saying, however, that all this is not harmful. It can, and certainly does, to the practitioner. "Damn places"? I don't quite understand what this is about. I don’t understand why go to a place with such a bad reputation. In general, I can say that all these influences are valid only with a certain disposition of the psyche. So there are people who are affected by hypnosis and those who are not. You just need to live church life seriously. And also New Testament commands us: "do not search the depths of Satan." The fact is that a person is attracted by what he becomes interested in. He will begin to investigate any devilry and not the fact that he will not be in one way or another dependence on it. It's not safe anyway. If, on the contrary, you do not attach absolutely no importance to all this and live a genuine church life, then all sorcerers, magicians, psychics and so on are against you. powerless.

Priest Konstantin Kravtsov

Hello! I am very interested in one question: I Orthodox Christian, recently, I am haunted by the question - who are the Old Believers and why, from the point of view of Orthodoxy, are they heretics? According to the information that I found in the network, the Old Believers are those who did not accept the new reforms of Patriarch Nikon and remained faithful to the Apostolic Faith, believing that even the patriarch cannot change the canons at will. Orthodoxy is very critical of the Catholic canon, which says that the last word remains with dad, i.e. only he utters the ultimate truth (even if "truth" is an obvious heresy and not Truth). In this regard, I would like to know all the same - who are the Old Believers and what happened in the 17th century in our Fatherland? Forgive me a sinner for my narrow-mindedness and darkness. Save you Lord.

Sergius

Dear Sergius!
In the 17th century, of course, we had a misfortune, both insulting and so absurd. There are many examples in the history of the Church when people of the same faith held on, nevertheless, different forms expressions of faith, that is, different rituals. And the trouble of the Old Believers is not that their rituals are worse or better, but that they have given them an almost doctrinal, dogmatic meaning. If divided by the criterion external forms expressions of faith, then we must start not with Patriarch Nikon, but with the apostles of Christ, who did not impose the sign of the cross with two fingers (like the Old Believers), not three fingers (like the Orthodox now), not five fingers (like Catholics), but in a completely different way applied the sign of the cross. But after all, no one (even Protestants) would think of separating with them. As for the reforms of Patriarch Nikon, their purpose was to emphasize the unity of universal Orthodoxy (by restoring the rituals adopted by the Greeks in Russia), and not to isolate themselves according to outwardly into the narrowly national Church.
It must be said that the resolution of this problem has advanced to a large extent. In 1971, Russian Orthodox Church removed the bans from the Old Believers-priests, and the old and new rituals were declared equally salvage. Although so far, despite a similar declaration of peace with the Orthodox, in practice the Old Believers are still keeping themselves apart and are not really moving towards each other halfway through the real steps proposed by our side. But the Bespopovites, who rejected the priesthood (so to speak, threw out the child with water), suffered a real misfortune: they fell away from the unity of the Church of Christ.

Archpriest Elijah Shapiro