How to Venerate the Cross on Holy Thursday Night

Fr. Solomon Longo · April 9, 2026 · teaching

Everyone can take a candle for the service, and one of the paper circles that will keep wax from falling on your hand (it won't fall much if the candle is upright). On Pascha there will be cups for this purpose since we'll be outside and they'll help the candle stay lit.

If you've not been here for Holy Friday with us, you'll see that the cross is in the middle of the church and may not know how to venerate it. A good practice is to prostrate twice, then kneel to kiss Christ's feet before backing away to make one more prostration. Be careful of people behind you who may have gotten too close, and don't crowd the person prostrating before you.

If the Archbishop is with us and you are new and wondering how to address him, here are some tips.

Stand when he enters and leaves.

It is appropriate to address him and ask a blessing (in nervousness, do not run away). When asking a blessing from the archbishop, it is "Master, bless" instead of "Father, bless." Sometimes he will respond by blessing you with the engolpion necklace he wears, in which case you would venerate that.

"Your Eminence" or "Vladyka" are common ways to address an archbishop (for example, "Your Eminence, I had a question..."). If starting a conversation with him, it is good etiquette to start the conversation this way: a blessing, and this address.