Dear Father David,

Hmmmm.....I do know that visitors (aka:not Orthodox) feel akward kissing the priest's hand and may not do so.

Had you not said that these folks on the Jersey Shore were receiving Holy Communion, I would have assumed that they may have been visitors because of their unfortunate choice of clothing and not kissing the priest's hand...

What can I say? I have never seen such a thing, but I do know that there are pockets of modernism here and there in my Archdiocese. Fortunately, I am not in one of them.

In Christ,
Alice

Father bless!

You know, that story is still fresh in my head. I still remember you telling me this when we were in Singapore.

Kissing your right hand,

Bless, Father David!

I've also seen people give the three-fold kiss to the Priest during their request for a blessing . . .?

Alex

I often initiate the three (or two) fold kiss after giving someone a blessing, but I know that some laity are taken aback by it. I think in more traditional Orthodox cultures this may not be the usual practise.

Fr David

I know when I greet my SF and ask for a blessing I always get a big hug and a triple kiss after it

I feel warm just reading that! How wonderful!

Alice

An episcopal ring was originally a seal ring (used by the bishop to impress his seal into wax to authenticate important documents - such a ring should be thoroughly defaced on the bishop's death, to prevent its abuse by forgers). Anybody, of course, may wear a seal ring.

The episcopal ring was eventually supplemented with relics (to be removed before defacing the ring of a deceased bishop), which in turn led to the custom of kissing the ring - so as to venerate the relics.

As the use of seal-rings and wax seals became less common, the actual seal came to be replaced with a semi-precious or precious stone, often an amethyst. In that event, the ring is not defaced but is either passed on from one bishop to another, or may land in a museum.

Finding it a bit dubious for the bishops to be wearing such jewelry, either Blessed John XXIII or Paul VI had a large number of very plain rings made up and gave one to each bishop who participated in the second Vatican Council (these rings have often been compared to cigar bands!). Such rings do not contain relics, so there is no reason to kiss such a ring; instead one should kiss the bishop's hand.

Fr. Serge

I haven't seen much consistency on the reception of a blessing or kissing of the hand in general with Ruthenian priests. Granted I've only met about 10 of them. In Texas it's very common practice, but in other parishes I've visited when I asked for a blessing with hand over hand I was met with a confused look then a visible mental click and received the blessing. From what I have heard this is all part of the de-Latinization process and my children will see less hybridism than I do - excuse my probable naiveté on that hope.