u/e-motio

Hello all! Western Catholic, who attends ruthenian once a month.

During the entrance hymn, Father exits the iconostasis with the incense censor, and walks a full lap of the inside of the church. During this lap, everyone in their pew will turn in a circle, facing Father as he walks this lap.

Now, my conflict is. Most of the faithful are doing this, but some are not. And Iv been told (by an older parishioner) that we should not be doing this, as to avoids turning our back to the altar.

Which is it, generally?

I’ll say, it’s English Ruthenian, liturgy of St John. But Father, and many parishioners are from Ukraine, if that makes a difference.

I wanted to present a thought about how we might explain intersession of saints to those outside the church or otherwise do not understand intersession, at least the way that it is normally said in English.

Typically, as I hear it, it is said that we pray “to” saints.

I think that this is what causes people confusion leading to believe that we are worshiping saints.

I believe it more clear, if we said that we pray “through” the saints.

I’m certainly open to criticism if this is off target. The western church is often picky about the words we use, I will admit that I do not know if “pray to” is used for a specific reason.