Since today is the Sunday of the fathers of the first six Ecumenical Councils, it is good to recall canon 20 from the first Council of Nicaea (325): There is no need to kneel on Sundays and the 50 days: There are some who kneel on Sunday and during the 50 days (Easter to Pentecost). In order that all things be carried out harmoniously in every diocese, it has pleased the holy synod that prayers be offered to the Lord while standing.
This custom of standing for prayer on Sunday and Eastertime is mentioned by earlier writers such as Tertullian (AD 160-220). St Augustine explains that we stand in commemoration of the Resurrection of Christ and our joy at sharing in this Resurrection.
Notice how carefully the Council Fathers worded this canon: There is no need to kneel... They do not use strong legal language, as in the canons excommunicating those who do not believe in the divinity of Christ. But the Fathers do give us instruction, as do our bishops today. Before the "Holy, holy, holy...," our Liturgy books (page 56) say: The proper liturgical posture is to stand.
The custom in Byzantine Liturgies around the world is to stand for prayer on Sundays, but some of us need to conserve our energy, so it is good to sit at times so that those who are able can stand for the Gospel and for the important prayers from "Take, eat, this is my body..." through "We praise you, we bless you...." When we return from Communion, those who are unable to stand may sit until "Save your people...."
Some people are concerned about offering reverence: everyone should bow at each Amen during the Anaphora (responding to "Take, eat..." and "Drink of this..."), and again when we sing "We praise you, we bless you...."
We invite you to welcome the instruction of our bishops and of the Council of Nicaea by following the ancient custom of refraining from kneeling on Sundays. Please make this a part of your prayer of Thanksgiving that we who have died with Christ trust that we will rise with Christ (see Romans 6:8).
Fr. Jerome Wolbert, OFM is a member of the Assumption Province of the Order of Friars Minor (the Franciscans), a mathematician and violinist, and a former associate professor at the University of Michigan.
Reference: http://www.srocco.org/Liturgies/NiceaStanding.dsp
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