You make the sign of the cross, bow, kiss the icon, and cross yourself again. That’s the basic pattern.
But let’s walk through it step by step, because if you’re new to Orthodoxy, walking up to that icon stand for the first time can feel awkward. You’re watching everyone else flow through these movements like they’ve done them a thousand times (they probably have), and you’re trying not to fumble or hold up the line. It’s okay. We’ve all been there.
The Basic Movements
When you approach an icon, you’re greeting a person. Not a picture of a person, but the actual saint or Christ or the Theotokos depicted there. The icon is a window. So you’re not kissing paint and wood. You’re expressing love and asking for prayers from someone who’s alive in Christ and closer to Him than you are.
Here’s what most Orthodox Christians do:
Make the sign of the cross. Touch your forehead, chest, right shoulder, left shoulder. Then bow from the waist. Some people do a metania, which means you bow low enough to touch the floor with your right hand. Don’t worry if you can’t do that. A simple bow works fine.
Cross yourself and bow again.
Now kiss the icon. Where you kiss matters a bit. If it’s Christ, kiss His feet or hand (not His face). If it’s a saint, kiss the hand or the feet. If it’s just a head (like those icons of Christ “not made by hands”), you can kiss the edge or border. Some people kiss the corner of the icon to be safe.
Cross yourself one more time.
That’s it. The whole thing takes maybe ten seconds once you get used to it.
What About Candles and Money?
You’ll see a candle stand near the icons. You can light a candle if you want. It’s a prayer that continues burning after you’ve moved on. There’s usually a slot or basket for donations. A dollar or two is normal, but there’s no set price. If you don’t have cash, don’t worry about it. God knows.
Some people light their candle before they venerate the icon. Others do it after. There’s no rule. Just don’t stand there blocking everyone while you dig through your purse for exact change. Get your dollar out beforehand or do it later.
When You Enter the Church
Most Orthodox churches have a big icon on a stand right when you walk in. It’s called the icon of the day, and it changes based on the feast or season. That’s usually the first icon you venerate when you arrive.
Then people often move to the iconostasis (the icon screen at the front) and venerate Christ’s icon on the right side, the Theotokos on the left, and maybe the patron saint of the parish. At St. Michael, that’d be the Archangel Michael. You don’t have to venerate every icon in the building. A few is plenty.
Don’t Do This During Certain Times
If the Gospel is being read, don’t venerate icons. Stand still and listen. Same during the Epistle reading or when the priest is censing. You’re not being rude by venerating icons, but there are moments in the service when everyone’s attention needs to be on what’s happening at the altar.
If you arrive late (and if you work rotating shifts at the plants around here, sometimes that’s unavoidable), slip in quietly. You can venerate the icon of the day, but maybe save the full tour of the iconostasis for after Liturgy.
Why We Do This
The Seventh Ecumenical Council settled this back in 787. The iconoclasts said venerating icons was idolatry. The Church said no, it’s not. When God became man in Jesus Christ, He made the invisible visible. You can paint that. You can kiss that. Honoring the image honors the person depicted.
We’re not worshiping wood and paint. We’re venerating (that’s a different word, and it means a different thing) the saint. It’s like kissing a photo of your grandmother. You’re not kissing paper. You’re expressing love for her.
If you come from a Baptist background, this probably feels strange. I get it. But think about it this way: you’d ask your friend to pray for you, right? We’re doing the same thing. Just asking our friends who happen to be on the other side of death, which isn’t really a barrier when you’re in Christ.
You’ll Get the Hang of It
First few times, you’ll feel self-conscious. You’ll forget whether you crossed yourself twice or three times. You’ll wonder if you kissed the right spot. That’s fine. The saints aren’t grading you on technique. They’re just glad you showed up.
Watch what others do. Ask someone after Liturgy if you’re unsure. And remember that every single person who makes those movements smoothly now once stood exactly where you’re standing, feeling exactly as awkward as you feel. Give it a few weeks. Your body will learn the rhythm, and then you won’t have to think about it anymore. You’ll just be greeting your friends.
