Evlogeite? Please help!

[John W.]

Please help!

I am expecting a phone call from a Monk within the hour. The last time we talked he greeted me with, "Evlogeite!" I responded with the same, but I thought I was supposed to ask for HIS blessing!

How do I respond to a Monk (come to think of it, the Priest in Athens also, said "Evlogeite" when I approached to venerate the Cross) when he beats me to the "E" word?

Also, how to end the conversation? The last time we talked said, "May the Mother of God be with you!"

Aside from, "Thank you and good night, Father" how should I properly say good-bye?

- Norman

[Kris]

Please help!

I am expecting a phone call from a Monk within the hour. The last time we talked he greeted me with, "Evlogeite!" I responded with the same, but I thought I was supposed to ask for HIS blessing!

How do I respond to a Monk (come to think of it, the Priest in Athens also, said "Evlogeite" when I approached to venerate the Cross) when he beats me to the "E" word?


I think the appropriate response is "tou Kyriou".

[John W.]

I was taught by my friend to expect, "O Kyrios" (The Lord) as a response from a Priest or Monk. What does "tou kyriou" mean? Please pardon my ignorance.

[Olga]

I assume the monk of whom you speak is a priest-monk, as non-ordained monks do not have the authority to give a clerical blessing (fingers of the right hand arranged in the ICXC manner).

The custom for a layman greeting a priest or priest-monk is to say Father, bless (Greek: Evlogison, Pater; Slavonic: Blagoslovi, Otche). The priest then will bless the layman in the customary manner if it is face-to-face contact. For telephone conversations, the same applies, though, of course, a physical blessing is not possible, the priest will most likely give a verbal one.

The parting greeting will vary considerably, depending on the situation, and how friendly or formal the relationship is between layman and priest. "The Lord be with you" or "The Mother of God be with you" is very common. I do not see it as improper to reply "And with you".

[Nina]

Norman,
In addition to the advise above, you can respond with "Evlogeite" when a monk/nun say "Evlogeite" to you.

Also another appropriate way is to respond: "Your blessing", or in Greek "Tin Euxi sas" and the priest/monk/nun will respond back "Tou Kyriou" which means (the blessing) "Of the God".

[John W.]

Thanks, Olga and Nina,

I think I'm starting to get the hang of this.

Norman

[Troy Duker]

How should Orthodox Christians (laity) greet each other?

[Herman Blaydoe]

How should Orthodox Christians (laity) greet each other?

In our parish, we say "Glory to Jesus Christ" and the response is "Glory forever!" except at Pascha when we say "Christ is Risen!" and the response "Indeed He is Risen!" or Theophany when we say "Christ is Baptized!", and the response "In the Jordan!" or the Nativity, when we say "Christ is Born!" and the response is "Glorify Him!" We also clasp hands or hug and do three kisses on the cheek, but we are a small, rather close-knit parish. That might get you a punch in the nose from a stranger at a larger parish or at the very least a rather strange look and people may start avoiding you!

Herman the friendly Pooh

[Troy Duker]

:) Thanks for that response Herman!

[Father David Moser]

How should Orthodox Christians (laity) greet each other?

With warmth, friendship and good will as beloved brothers (or sisters) - however that might be expressed in your cultural milieu.

Fr David Moser

[Father Serafim]

The practice on the Holy Mountain and among Church Calendar monks is to say Evlogeite to each other. When priests greet each other they say the same. When a layman says Evlogeite to a priest, then the priest answers - O Kyrios! We ask each other for a blessing as a form of greeting. Only a priest or bishop says - May the Lord bless you to a layman.

[Alice]

The practice on the Holy Mountain and among Church Calendar monks is to say Evlogeite to each other. When priests greet each other they say the same. When a layman says Evlogeite to a priest, then the priest answers - O Kyrios! We ask each other for a blessing as a form of greeting. Only a priest or bishop says - May the Lord bless you to a layman.


Dear Father Serafim,

Bless.

My husband and I visit alot of Greek Orthodox monasteries in the U.S. and Greece and it gets confusing.

1. If we call the monastery, the monk (or nun) answers the phone: EVLOYEITE. How should we respond? (we are laymen)

2. If we visit a monastery, (as we recently visited four interconnected monasteries in Greece), every nun and Abess is literally throwing 'EVLOYEITE' around--to each other. We ask 'evloyeite' to the Abess, and we have noticed that other laypersons do to the nuns...Should we ask 'evloyeite' also to the nuns, and not *only* to the Abess? Or is this not necessary? Should their answer then also be 'Evloyeite'?

3. Should we ask EVLOYEITE first whenever we see any nun/monk? If they respond 'evloyeite' back, do we then ask: 'i evhi sas'? Can a simple nun or monk give us an evhi/blessing?

4. Are we correct to also kiss the Abesses' hand? Is this proper etiquette, or is it optional? Should we also kiss the nun's hands, or is it okay to offer cheek kisses which we all did this past week? If so, is it optional to kiss a nun's hand?

5. Do we kiss the hand of the Abess/Igoumeni and also ask Evloyeite as we are doing it?

6. What if someone says to us 'Evloyeite'? (AS they sometimes did) Do we respond also 'Evloyeite' or is 'i evhi sas' more appropriate?!?

I start to feel so uncomfortable not knowing the protocol/etiquette with monks and nuns/and Abesses.
(For an Igoumen, I expect them to respond 'O Kirios') --and just when I think I am getting it right by knowing what to do with a hieromonk/Igoumen, a priest and a bishop (as you said they will respond 'O Kirios'--although a few, to my dismay, have not), we are confronted with the situation of monks, nuns and Abesses.

Thank you, and I hope that my questions have not been too confusing.

In Christ,
Alice

P.S. I like Nina's post, and I am sure that she knows....which says to respond: 'H evhi sas'. I just want to confirm that. It makes sense, but I don't think that I have heard it before--( but ofcourse that does not mean anything as I think that others are often just as confused as us when visiting monasteries!)

[Andreas Moran]

Originally Posted by Troy Duker
How should Orthodox Christians (laity) greet each other?

With warmth, friendship and good will as beloved brothers (or sisters) - however that might be expressed in your cultural milieu.

Fr David Moser

Would that they all did. Too many don't even make eye contact, and pass one by without any acknowledgement.

[Nina]

Sorry, I know you asked Fr. Serafim, however I can share what I have been taught.




1. If we call the monastery, the monk (or nun) answers the phone: EVLOYEITE. How should we respond? (we are laymen)

We respond 'Eulogite Father/Adelfi. I am Nina. Tin Euxi sas!'
If you know them they will recognize your voice and you do not even have to say your name because they say your name before you. :)


2. If we visit a monastery, (as we recently visited four interconnected monasteries in Greece), every nun and Abess is literally throwing 'EVLOYEITE' around--to each other. We ask 'evloyeite' to the Abess, and we have noticed that other laypersons do to the nuns...Should we ask 'evloyeite' also to the nuns, and not *only* to the Abess? Or is this not necessary? Should their answer then also be 'Evloyeite'? You can say that as you feel. And when they tell you, or ask from you something you can reply: na ine eulogimeno.


3. Should we ask EVLOYEITE first whenever we see any nun/monk? If they respond 'evloyeite' back, do we then ask: 'i evhi sas'? Can a simple nun or monk give us an evhi/blessing?We say tin euxi sas. The nuns and monks usually withdraw their hand because they are humble, and simply reply: "Tou Kyriou; tou Geronda; tis Gerondissas." Yes all people can bless and since they are higher in rank we can ask for their blessings.


4. Are we correct to also kiss the Abesses' hand? Is this proper etiquette, or is it optional? Should we also kiss the nun's hands, or is it okay to offer cheek kisses which we all did this past week? If so, is it optional to kiss a nun's hand?We can choose to also make a prostration before kissing the hand of an Abess/Elder.


5. Do we kiss the hand of the Abess/Igoumeni and also ask Evloyeite as we are doing it?That or you can ask for the Euxi (blessing).


6. What if someone says to us 'Evloyeite'? (AS they sometimes did) Do we respond also 'Evloyeite' or is 'i evhi sas' more appropriate?!?We say eulogite.


a priest and a bishop (as you said they will respond 'O Kirios'--although a few, to my dismay, have not), we are confronted with the situation of monks, nuns and Abesses.It is ok... they will respond according to what God enlightens them at that particular moment. Do not worry about protocol and etiquete. We behave this way because we love them, respect them for the prayers they offer on our behalf and the entire world. They are not there to judge us and even if you respond for instance 'bye' to an 'eulogite' they will not judge you, or think less of you. They are in the monastery out of love for the entire world. :)



P.S. I like Nina's post, and I am sure that she knows....which says to respond: 'H evhi sas'. I just want to confirm that. It makes sense, but I don't think that I have heard it before--( but ofcourse that does not mean anything as I think that others are often just as confused as us when visiting monasteries!)It is not 'H euxi sas' it is "Tin Euxi sas" - I was taught this by my spiritual father to address the nuns, monks, bishops and my Archbishop back home. They all respond with "Tou Kyriou!" and continue the blessing with other sentences about God and then sometime they bless with something about Panaghia. Also I was taught that in sign of humility whenever I feel I can make a 'metanoia' (prostration) in front of a clergy/monastic. The most often I do that in front of my Archbishop back home, and he takes my head in his hands and kisses my forehead while giving blessings... other clergy/monastics just extend the hand for kissing, and some withdraw the hand and bless you, same can give you a light tap on your opened hand and smile and lots of blessings... see all things depend on the relationship you have, status of the person and so on and experiences can be so different. Do not worry about protocol just be the wonderful self you are dear Alice. :D

[Nina]

Would that they all did. Too many don't even make eye contact, and pass one by without any acknowledgement.

Sometimes it happens because many try to avoid temptation (not you personally) or they do not have blessing to do certain things, or some are shy, or some are taught that way. I have seen a monk do this. He is one of the most wonderful people that I admire in this world. And he is so mature spiritually and loves others so much.

[Father Serafim]

I think Nina has answered for me! Irrespective of position, rank etc.. we say 'evlogeite' to each other. When I greet a bishop, the latter replies 'O kyrios!' Elder Ephraim asked for my blessing (in Arizona) and tried to bow lower than me! But I am much younger and beat him to it. In other words, the greeting is formal and yet like many things in our Church informal at the same time. How many times have I seen the yiayias and babushki tidy the bishop as he stands in the center of the Church. The greeting is an expression of love, not a formal 'how do you do?'

Yes, we kiss the hand of an abbess - I do as a priest and in some cases a fast-moving bishop has kissed my hand too. We happen to love one another!

[Alice]

Dear Father Serafim and Nina,

Thanks so much to both of you for your responses. They have helped me a great deal.

This has been an ongoing learning experience the past six years of visiting and getting to know monastics, monasteries and more traditional Orthodox brother, sisters and priests.

Growing up in the GOA, all I ever heard was 'Hello Father' in greeting a priest; no hand kissing; no asking for a blessing, etc. I didn't notice them much in Athens either...Anyway, I know that the externals are not as important as the content of what is in one's heart and soul, but I think that these 'externals' remind us to be humble and to see our brother and/or sister in Christ, as a holy human icon worthy of reverence. :)

With much Christian love,
Alice

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

Dear Father Serafim and Nina,

Thanks so much to both of you for your responses. They have helped me a great deal.

This has been an ongoing learning experience the past six years of visiting and getting to know monastics, monasteries and more traditional Orthodox brother, sisters and priests.

Growing up in the GOA, all I ever heard was 'Hello Father' in greeting a priest; no hand kissing; no asking for a blessing, etc. I didn't notice them much in Athens either...Anyway, I know that the externals are not as important as the content of what is in one's heart and soul, but I think that these 'externals' remind us to be humble and to see our brother and/or sister in Christ, as a holy human icon worthy of reverence. :)

With much Christian love,
Alice

There is certainly something very important in this Orthodox behaviour.

Where there is no regard for the external there is no regard for the internal either.

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Nina]

I think Nina has answered for me!

:) Yes, I, sometime love to be Santa's little helper... since I know our santas/priests are busy. Forgive me, please.