Bows, kneeling, the sign of the Cross, the lifting of our
hands, the bowing of our heads, kissing icons — all these things are
expressions of that state of mind of which the Apostle speaks when he says, "Present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your
reasonable service" (Romans 12:1).
Because we recognize our unworthiness in the sight
of God, we humbly fall down before Him. We either bow to the waist or we make a
prostration, in which we bow down, kneel and touch the head to the ground. It
is not usually customary to remain on one’s knees during prayer in church; such
a posture is more suitable for private prayer.
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