We have entered the House of God and see how different everything is from our home furnishings. The special, incomparable fragrance of incense, the flickering of numerous lamps and burning candles before the holy images, the touching singing of the choir and the inspired exclamations of the priest - all this at once in some incomprehensible way softens our hardened soul and attunes it to a special, sublime mood. According to an ancient custom, in the church it is customary for men to stand on the right side, and women on the left.

In order not to violate such decorum, while in church, an Orthodox Christian must behave quietly and reverently: here it is not allowed to talk loudly, make noise, and even more so laugh, fuss, walk around the Church for no reason; it must be remembered that this is not an art gallery, not a museum, and not a house of culture, but the house of God, the mysterious abode of the King of Heaven - the Living God Himself.

Greet your acquaintances with a silent bow, if you meet them, do not be curious and do not look at those around you, so as not to mentally condemn them for anything, but pray with sincere feeling, paying attention to the order and content of the ongoing service.

It is proper to pray in the Temple only standing or kneeling at the proper time, and only in case of ill health is it allowed to sit down to rest. In this regard, Metropolitan Philaret (Drozdov) said it well: "It is better to think about God while sitting than about your feet while standing."

On great feasts and Sundays, prostrations are not allowed. On these days, we make waist bows, touching the floor with our hands.

You should make the sign of the cross slowly and reverently, connecting three fingers:

the large, index and middle fingers in the name of the Holy Trinity should be placed on the forehead, on the stomach, on the right and left shoulders, believing in the life-giving power of the Cross, by which Christ saved us from the power of the devil.

According to ancient tradition, Christians to this day light wax candles in front of holy icons. Such candles are sold in the Church. A consecrated church candle is a symbol of our prayerful burning before the Lord, His Most Pure Mother, and the holy saints of God.

When the Divine Liturgy is celebrated, or, as it is colloquially called, Mass, you can submit a note with names about the health of your living relatives or about the repose of the dead.

In order not to be confused by the cost of a candle or note, you should remember that the different prices - both notes and candles - reflect only the difference in the amount of your donation for temple needs. The same can be said about other orders - for the service of molebens, panikhidas, etc. If you are financially constrained, then, without embarrassment, ask for a candle, prosphora or order a moleben, to perform the sacrament of baptism without payment. Believe me, in church, both the candle seller and the clergyman will always meet you halfway. So you should not be afraid to go to church without money. Why are we talking about this? Because people who are far from the church often accept as truth false rumors about how they "rip off" in church, how rude priests are there, and the old women who serve the church expel women who are not dressed properly. Perhaps in particular cases there were such unsightly actions in this or that church, but in general, the church is the only place where we can find consolation, spiritual support and material help. Few people know that the Orthodox Church conducts great charitable activities, providing comprehensive assistance to sick families, large families, refugees who now come to church almost every day, and to all people living in need and sorrow.

Without disturbing others, let us try to find a place for ourselves in the church and, standing before the All-Seeing God, let us join in common prayer.

And let us feel how light it becomes in our hearts, and in some moments we will feel in it the grace-filled peace and silence - the inexplicable influence of God's Grace. And it, this Grace of God, acts on all those present - believers and even non-believers, regardless of our will and consciousness. This is often evidenced by people of different views and ages who come to the Orthodox Church.

Grace is the all-strengthening power of God. It is the sanctification of the soul and body by the Holy Spirit. That is why a person leaves the Temple with a feeling of joy, relief and peace in his soul. His faith and hope in God's help are strengthened in him.

All this is achieved through prayerful communion with God. Therefore, it is appropriate to dwell here on such an important aspect of church life as the prayer rule of a Christian.