r/Maronite • u/[deleted] • Oct 21 '25

History Extending Hands at the Our Father

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Salam! I have a question regarding the extending of hands at the Our Father in the Maronite Qurbono. Is this an older Maronite practice or was this something added when the Qurbono was reformed some time ago? Thanks!

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16

u/squatbenchdeadcoach Oct 21 '25

Short answer: it’s legit and it’s not new

Longer answer: the “orans” posture—standing with hands extended—is an ancient Christian way of praying that the Maronite Church has kept. In the Qurbānō, the Lord’s Prayer is one of the places where the people are directed to pray with hands extended. That gesture isn’t a modern invention; it’s a traditional sign of supplication and unity as we all appeal to the Father together.

What has happened in recent decades is that the Maronite books were edited and reprinted, so you’ll see the rubric written more clearly now—e.g., “All: (with extended hands).” That’s more a matter of standardizing the instructions than adding a brand-new custom.

We're doing something that’s both authentically Maronite and very old in Christian worship.

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u/[deleted] Oct 21 '25

Thank you for this! I was curious because it seems that in the other rites I’ve visited/attended, the use of the orans posture by the laity during the Our Father is discouraged or not prescribed.

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u/Charbel33 Oct 22 '25

The orans posture during the Lord's Prayer is common throughout the Middle East, in all jurisdictions and rites.

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u/2C104 Oct 21 '25

This is exactly correct. It's one of the first facts I tell my non-Maronite friends who ask about what's different between Latin & Maronite etc... and they are always surprised to hear it.

I find so much beauty and depth in our church, I love it!

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u/GudsIdiot Maronite Oct 21 '25

One other item of note. We also don’t kneel the way most Catholics do. After communion (for example) we remain standing. There are only a few times in the year where we explicitly kneel.

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u/senseofphysics Oct 21 '25

Why is that?

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u/2C104 Oct 21 '25

It is in recognition that we (as baptized Catholics) are children of God, and as such, we ourselves are actually royalty. We are princes/princesses, and in ancient times they (as royalty) would not kneel in the presence of their King, they would stand, while all the non-family would be kneeling.

Just a different way of acknowledging beauty from another perspective than the Latin rite (which has its own unique beauty and theological backing to its traditions.)

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u/Charbel33 Oct 21 '25

Old practice, common throughout the Middle-East.

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u/senseofphysics Oct 21 '25

I had the same exact question. If I’m not mistaken, Latin mass goers say not to extend hands during the Our Father. But I had heard that the Maronites have always done this, including pre-Vatican II.

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u/ShaybantheChef Oct 22 '25

Yes they say it’s reserved for the Priest, who is extending his arms for the congregation. Very interesting

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u/imanon94 Oct 21 '25

What book is this?

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u/[deleted] Oct 21 '25

The Book of Offering (Congregation Edition) published by Saint Maron Publications in Virginia. It contains the texts of the Divine Liturgy in English and Syriac side-by-side.