Reverence and Participation
What is a metanoia?
Repentance In The Body
A metanoia is a physical act of repentance, usually a bow or prostration made with prayer. The word is connected to repentance, a turning of the mind and heart toward God.
Where You Might See It
You may see metanoias during personal prayer, confession-related guidance, before a bishop, during certain seasons, or in connection with prostrations. The exact practice depends on the occasion and guidance of the Church.
God, be merciful to me a sinner!
Learning The Practice
Watch first. If you are invited to make a metanoia or want to learn the practice, ask Abouna or a trusted servant how to do it reverently.
The point is repentance expressed by the whole person. The body bows because the heart is turning back to God; the person rises because God's mercy gives hope.
A metanoia may be small, such as a bow, or fuller, such as a prostration, depending on the setting. It is often connected to repentance, confession, asking forgiveness, or showing reverence before a bishop or holy moment.
The practice should be joined to humility. A metanoia is a visible way of saying, "I turn back to God," and that meaning is more important than the size of the motion.
When practiced with prayer, it teaches repentance as movement toward God, not only regret over sin.
- Metanoia Before a Bishop, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on the meaning and practice of metanoia.
- Prostrations During Prayer, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Diocesan answer on prostrations as bodily prayer and repentance.
- Prostrations According to the Coptic Orthodox Church Rite, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of Los Angeles. Diocesan explanation of prostrations in Coptic rite and seasons.
- Drawing the Sign of the Cross, Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States Q&A. Pastoral answer on the hand shape, direction, and Trinitarian meaning of making the sign of the Cross.
Metanoia: A bodily bow or prostration expressing repentance, reverence, and humility before God, often practiced in prayer and before receiving a blessing.
Prostration: A full bodily bow to the ground, used in seasons and prayers of repentance as the body joins the soul in worship.
Confession: The sacrament of repentance in which a person confesses sins before God in the presence of the priest and receives absolution and guidance.
Bishop: A successor in the apostolic ministry who shepherds the Church, ordains clergy, guards the faith, and presides in the unity of the local Church.
Abouna: A common Coptic way to address a priest, meaning our father, because priestly service is pastoral and fatherly within the life of the Church.