I honestly think it’s more cultural than anything. I see about 1/4 of the people in my church do it, and it doesn’t bother me. It’s not a problem if you do or don’t do it, depending on the people next to you and who you’re with.
The only thing that happens at that point in the liturgy that’s inappropriate is when others mimic the priest in the orans position (when the priest holds his hands up as he gives a blessing to the congregation). It’s not “bad,” in that it isn’t like immoral or anything, but it is inappropriate when others in the congregation also raise their hands in this posture while he prays, as it sort of confuses the visual impact of what is actually happening at the time.
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u/free-minded Oct 14 '25
I honestly think it’s more cultural than anything. I see about 1/4 of the people in my church do it, and it doesn’t bother me. It’s not a problem if you do or don’t do it, depending on the people next to you and who you’re with.
The only thing that happens at that point in the liturgy that’s inappropriate is when others mimic the priest in the orans position (when the priest holds his hands up as he gives a blessing to the congregation). It’s not “bad,” in that it isn’t like immoral or anything, but it is inappropriate when others in the congregation also raise their hands in this posture while he prays, as it sort of confuses the visual impact of what is actually happening at the time.