We stand because we’re servants in the presence of our King. That’s the short answer. But there’s more to it than just protocol.
When you walk into an Orthodox church for the first time, one thing hits you right away: almost nobody’s sitting down. If you’re used to First Baptist or Abundant Life, where comfortable seating is part of the deal, this can feel strange. Your legs start to ache about twenty minutes in. You wonder if you missed something.
You didn’t. Standing is what Christians did for the first sixteen centuries. It’s what the early Church practiced, what the apostles taught, what the Scriptures assume. When St. Paul writes “stand fast in the faith” or “stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth,” he’s not just speaking metaphorically. The physical posture matters.
Here’s why. Standing engages your whole body in worship. We’re not Gnostics who think the body doesn’t matter or that worship happens only in your head. When you stand, you can’t zone out as easily. You can’t get too comfortable. Your body itself becomes an offering, a “living sacrifice” as St. Paul puts it in Romans. The slight discomfort, the fatigue that sets in during a longer service, that’s part of the gift you’re giving to God.
Standing also means something specific about who we are before God. We’re servants. When a servant stands before his master, he doesn’t slouch in a chair. He stands ready, attentive, waiting to hear and obey. The angels stand before God’s throne in fear and reverence, according to Isaiah. We do the same. This isn’t about earning anything or proving how tough we are. It’s about recognizing where we are and who we’re standing before.
The resurrection matters here too. We stand as people who’ve been raised up with Christ. Kneeling expresses penitence, lying prostrate expresses deep humility or mourning, but standing expresses resurrection life. On Sundays especially, we stand as the people of the eighth day, the day that doesn’t end, the day of Christ’s victory over death.
Now, let’s be practical. If you can’t stand for medical reasons, nobody’s judging you. Sit. Every Orthodox church has some seating along the walls or in the back precisely for people who need it. Elderly folks, pregnant women, people with bad knees or backs, anyone recovering from surgery, sit as much as you need. God knows your heart. The effort to stand when you’re able is what matters, not some legalistic requirement that ignores human weakness.
There are also specific times when everyone sits, even those who can stand the whole time. During the readings before the Gospel, most people sit. During the homily, you’ll usually sit. Between certain parts of the service, there’s often a moment to rest. But when the priest gives the opening blessing, when the Gospel is read, during the Eucharistic prayer, at the Great Entrance, when the chalice comes out for Communion, you stand. These are the moments that matter most.
If you’re new and you’re not sure, here’s the rule: when in doubt, stand. Watch what the people around you do. After a few weeks, you’ll get the rhythm. Your legs will get stronger too. I’ve seen refinery workers who stand twelve-hour shifts struggle their first few Sundays, then adapt. The body learns.
One more thing. Standing isn’t about performance or showing off your endurance. I’ve known people who stood stubbornly through everything despite doctor’s orders, making their pride into a kind of reverse vanity. That’s not what we’re after. We stand because it helps us pray, because it keeps us alert, because it’s how the Church has always worshiped. If sitting helps you pray better because you’re in real pain, then sit. The goal is to meet God, not to impress the person next to you.
Come to a Vespers service on Saturday evening if you want to ease into it. It’s shorter than the Sunday Liturgy, and you’ll get a feel for the pattern of standing and the few moments of rest. Bring your questions. We’ve all been the person whose legs were shaking by the end of the service, wondering if this was normal. It is. And it gets easier.
