Editing Genuflection

{{Short description|Bending a knee towards the ground}}
{{For|the anti-racist gesture|Taking the knee}}
[[File:St Maria Sehnde Gottesdienst.jpg|thumb|Genuflection on one knee, during a Catholic Mass]]

'''Genuflection''' or '''genuflexion''' is the act of bending a knee to the ground, as distinguished from [[kneeling]] which more strictly involves both knees. From early times, it has been a gesture of deep respect for a superior. Today, the gesture is common in the Christian religious practices of the [[Anglicanism]],<ref name=Allen/> [[Lutheranism]],<ref name=Armstrong/> the [[Catholic Church]],<ref name=Ingram/> and [[Western Rite Orthodoxy]].<ref name=SMPC/> The [[Latin]] word {{lang|la|genuflectio}}, from which the English word is derived, originally meant kneeling with both knees rather than the rapid dropping to one knee and immediately rising that became customary in Western Europe in the [[Middle Ages]]. It is often referred to as "going down on one knee" or "bowing the knee".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saintpaul.episcopaloklahoma.org/About%20US/the-sign-of-the-cross-bowing-and-genuflecting-what|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210613/http://saintpaul.episcopaloklahoma.org/About%20US/the-sign-of-the-cross-bowing-and-genuflecting-what|archive-date=18 February 2018|url-status=dead|title=The Sign of the Cross, bowing and genuflecting, what is it?|publisher=Saint Paul's Episcopal Church|location=Oklahoma, US|access-date=10 August 2018}}</ref> In [[Western culture]]:
* one genuflects on the left knee to a human dignitary, whether ecclesiastical or civil;
* in Christian churches and chapels, one genuflects on the right knee when the [[Eucharist|Sacrament]] is not exposed but in a [[church tabernacle|tabernacle]] or veiled.

Conversely, one kneels with both knees if the Sacrament is exposed.

==History==
[[File:High Line Nyc Marriage Proposal.jpg|thumb|Traditionally [[marriage proposal]]s use genuflection]]
In 328 BC, [[Alexander the Great]] introduced into his court-etiquette some form of genuflection already in use in [[Persia]], a modification to the tradition of [[Proskynesis]].<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=S-cTfNjEhrcC&pg=PA103 Andrew Chugg, ''Alexander's Lovers'']  {{ISBN|978-1-4116-9960-1}}, p. 103</ref> In the [[Byzantine Empire]] even senators were required to genuflect to the emperor.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=pK1NsxtW0dcC&pg=PA101 James Allan Stewart Evans, ''The Age of Justinian''] {{ISBN|978-0-415-23726-0}}, p. 101</ref> In medieval Europe, one demonstrated respect for a king or noble by going down on the left knee, often remaining there until told to rise.  It is traditionally often performed in western cultures by a man making a [[proposal of marriage]]. This is done on the left knee.

The custom of genuflecting, as a sign of respect and even of service, arose out of the honor given to medieval kings. In modern times, when the folded flag of a fallen veteran is offered to the family, the presenting officer will go down on his left knee, if the recipient is seated.<ref name=Compass/>

== In Christianity ==
Genuflection, typically on one knee, still plays a part in the [[Anglican]], [[Lutheran]], [[Roman Catholic]] and [[Western Rite Orthodoxy|Western Rite Orthodox]] traditions, among other churches; it is different from kneeling in prayer, which is more widespread.

Those for whom the gesture is difficult, such as the aged or those in poor physical condition, are not expected to perform it. Bowing of the head or at the waist, if possible, are common substitutes.

Except for those people, genuflection is still today mandatory in some situations, such as (in the Catholic Church) when passing in front of the Blessed Sacrament, or during the Consecration in the Mass.

In the [[King James Version]] of the Holy Scriptures, the verb "to kneel" occurs more than thirty times, both in the Old and in The New Testament.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bible.knowing-jesus.com/topics/Kneeling|title=Occurrences of the verb "to kneel" in the KJV Bible}}</ref>

=== In front of the Blessed Sacrament ===
Genuflection is a sign of reverence to the Blessed Sacrament. Its purpose is to allow the worshipper to engage his whole person in acknowledging the presence of and to honor Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stmarysgloucestercity.org/genuflection|title=St Mary's Roman Catholic Church|website=www.stmarysgloucestercity.org|access-date=3 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161017150213/http://www.stmarysgloucestercity.org/genuflection|archive-date=17 October 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is customary to genuflect whenever one comes into or leaves the presence of the Blessed Sacrament reserved in the Tabernacle. "This venerable practice of genuflecting before the Blessed Sacrament, whether enclosed in the tabernacle or publicly exposed, as a sign of adoration, ...requires that it be performed in a recollected way. In order that the heart may bow before God in profound reverence, the genuflection must be neither hurried nor careless."<ref>[https://www.ewtn.com/library/PAPALDOC/JP2INAES.HTM "Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship", ''Inaestimable donum'', §26, 17 April 1980]</ref>

Genuflection to the [[Blessed Sacrament]], the consecrated [[Eucharist]], especially when arriving or leaving its presence, is a practice in [[Anglicanism]],<ref name=Allen>{{cite book|last=Allen|first=John|title=Desmond Tutu|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=d3P9AAItwS0C&q=genuflecting+Anglican&pg=PA87|access-date=8 November 2012|date=1 September 2008|publisher=Chicago Review Press|isbn=978-1556527982|quote=Devout "high church" Anglicans genuflect as they pass the reserved sacrament.}}</ref> the [[Latin Church]] of the [[Catholic Church]],<ref name=Ingram>{{cite book|last1=Ingram |first1=Kristen Johnson |last2=Johnson|first2=Kristin J |title=Beyond Words|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RsOehcciTHkC&pg=PA27|access-date=8 November 2012|year=2004|publisher=Church Publishing, Inc.|isbn=0819219738|page=27}}</ref> [[Lutheranism]],<ref name=Armstrong>{{cite book|last1=Armstrong|first1=John H.|last2=Eagle |first2=Paul E.|title=Understanding Four Views on the Lord's Supper |date=26 May 2009|publisher=Zondervan|isbn=978-0310542759|quote=Lutherans worship Christ wherever he is, including the sacraments, and thus Luther genuflected before the baptismal font and the sacrament.}}<!--|access-date=8 November 2012--></ref> and [[Western Rite Orthodoxy]].<ref name=SMPC>{{cite web|url=http://www.westernorthodox.com/stmark/customs|title=Customs - Western Orthodox|publisher=Saint Mark's Parish Church|language=en|access-date=29 March 2015|quote=To 'genuflect' (kneel down briefly and then arise) is the Western Orthodox way of venerating the sacrament or the altar. To take your place in church, walk quietly down the center aisle, and then genuflect before moving to the left or right into the pew. The same is done when leaving the pew, either to go up to communion or to leave after the service is over. The clergy and faithful also genuflect or bow when passing by the vessel in which the blessed sacrament is reserved. Another time to genuflect is at these words of the creed: 'Who for us men and for our salvation, came down from heaven, And was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man.'|archive-date=25 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150225044709/http://www.westernorthodox.com/stmark/customs|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is a comparatively modern replacement for the profound bow of head and body that remains the supreme act of liturgical reverence in the East.<ref name=CE>Bergh, Frederick Thomas. [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/06423a.htm "Genuflexion"]. ''The Catholic Encyclopedia'' Vol. 6. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1909. 7 October 2016.</ref> Since in many Anglican, Roman Catholic and Western Orthodox Churches the Blessed Sacrament is normally present behind the altar, genuflection is usual when arriving or passing in front of the altar at the communion rail.

Only during the later Middle Ages, centuries after it had become customary to genuflect to persons in authority such as bishops, was genuflection to the Blessed Sacrament introduced. The practice gradually spread and became viewed as obligatory only from the end of the fifteenth century, receiving formal recognition in 1502. The raising of the consecrated Host and Chalice after the Consecration in order to show them to the people was for long unaccompanied by obligatory genuflections.<ref name=CE/>

The requirement that genuflection take place on both knees before the Blessed Sacrament when it is unveiled as at Expositions (but not when it is lying on the [[corporal (liturgy)|corporal]] during Mass)<ref name=CE/> was altered in 1973 with introduction of the following rule: "Genuflection in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, whether reserved in the [[church tabernacle|tabernacle]] or exposed for public adoration, is on one knee."<ref>''De Sacra Communione et de Cultu Mysterii Eucharistici extra Missam'', 84</ref> "Since a genuflection is, per se, an act of adoration, the general liturgical norms no longer make any distinction between the mode of adoring Christ reserved in the tabernacle or exposed upon the altar. The simple single genuflection on one knee may be used in all cases."<ref name=zenit/> However, in some countries the [[episcopal conference]] has chosen to retain the double genuflection to the Blessed Sacrament, which is performed by kneeling briefly on both knees and reverently bowing the head with hands joined.<ref name=zenit>{{cite web|url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur92.htm|title=Tabernacles, Adoration and Double Genuflections|work=ZENIT Daily Dispatch |date=26 July 2005 |first1=Edward |last1=McNamara |publisher=EWTN |access-date=3 March 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114044554/http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur92.htm |archive-date= Jan 14, 2019 }}</ref>

As a result of the custom of genuflecting to the sacrament, it is customary in some countries, Germany for example, for people attending mass to genuflect before entering their pew during mass and when leaving it. Though the sacrament in its tabernacle is the "recipient" of this sign of respect, it is almost invariably performed in the direction of the (high) altar, and the crucifix above or behind it as being the most easily recognisable landmark in any church (it is also almost always in close proximity to the tabernacle).

=== Episcopalian practice ===
In the [[Episcopal Church (United States)|Episcopal Church]], genuflection is an act of personal piety and is not required by the prayer book. In some parishes it is a customary gesture of reverence for Christ's real presence in the [[Anglican eucharistic theology|consecrated Eucharistic elements]] of bread and wine, particularly in parishes with an [[Anglo-Catholic]] tradition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/genuflection-or-genuflexion |website=The Episcopal Church |title=Genuflection, or Genuflexion |access-date=3 March 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153225/http://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/genuflection-or-genuflexion |archive-date= Jan 14, 2019 }}</ref>

Generally, if the Blessed Sacrament is reserved in the church, it is customary to acknowledge the Lord's presence with a brief act of worship on entering or leaving the building&nbsp;– normally, a genuflection in the direction of the place of reservation.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://saintpaul.episcopaloklahoma.org/About%20US/the-sign-of-the-cross-bowing-and-genuflecting-what|title=The Sign of the Cross, bowing and genuflecting, what is it? |publisher= St. Paul's Episcopal Church |location=Holdenville, Oklahoma|access-date=3 March 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218210613/http://saintpaul.episcopaloklahoma.org/About%20US/the-sign-of-the-cross-bowing-and-genuflecting-what|archive-date=18 February 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==During the Liturgy==
[[File:Roi Manuel agenouillant.jpg|thumb|left|[[Manuel II of Portugal]] during Missa de Campanha, {{Circa|1910}}]]
The [[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]] lays down the following rules for genuflections during [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]:<ref name=GIRM/>
<blockquote>
During Mass, three genuflections are made by the priest celebrant: namely, after the showing of the host, after the showing of the chalice, and before Communion. Certain specific features to be observed in a concelebrated Mass are noted in their proper place ''(cf. nos. 210-251)''.

If, however, the tabernacle with the Most Blessed Sacrament is present in the sanctuary, the priest, the deacon, and the other ministers genuflect when they approach the altar and when they depart from the sanctuary, but not during the celebration of Mass itself.

Otherwise all who pass before the Most Blessed Sacrament genuflect, unless they are moving in procession.

Ministers carrying the processional cross or candles bow their heads instead of genuflecting.
</blockquote>

=== Other genuflections===
In the [[Byzantine Rite]], most widely observed in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]], genuflection plays a smaller role and [[prostration]], known as ''[[proskynesis]]'', is much more common. During the holy mystery of reconciliation, however, following confession of sins, the penitent is to genuflect with head bowed before the [[Gospel Book]] or an [[icon]] of Christ as the confessor - either a bishop or a presbyter - formally declares God's forgiveness.{{Citation needed|date=November 2023}}

Genuflection or kneeling is prescribed at various points of the [[Roman Rite]] liturgy, such as after the mention of [[Jesus]]' death on the cross in the readings of the Passion during Holy Week.

A right knee genuflection is made during and after the Adoration of the Cross on [[Good Friday]].<ref name=Compass/>

A genuflection is made at the mention of the [[Incarnation (Christianity)|Incarnation]] in the words ''et incarnatus est de Spiritu Sancto, ex Maria Virgine, et homo factus est'' ("and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man") in the [[Creed]] on the solemnities of [[Christmas]] and the [[Annunciation]].<ref name="Schulman">{{cite web |title=Why Do Catholics Do That |url=http://www.hsccatl.com/Growing-in-Faith/Why-Do-Catholics-Do-That |access-date=3 March 2018 |website=Holy Spirit Church |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180814042514/http://www.hsccatl.com/Growing-in-Faith/Why-Do-Catholics-Do-That |archive-date= Aug 14, 2018 }}</ref>

It is common practice that during the recital of the [[Angelus]] prayer, for the lines "And the Word was made flesh/And dwelt among us", those reciting the prayer bow or genuflect.<ref>[http://www.catholiclane.com/promoting-the-angelus-as-an-advent-devotion/ Looney, Edward. "Promoting the Angelus as an Advent Devotion", Catholic Lane, December 01, 2014]</ref>

====Tridentine Mass====
In the [[Tridentine Mass]] this genuflection is made on any day on which the Creed is recited at Mass, as well as at several other points:
* at the words ''et Verbum caro factum est'' ("and the Word became flesh")<ref>{{bibleverse||John|1:1-14}}</ref> in the prologue of the Gospel of John, which is the usual [[Last Gospel]], as well as the Gospel for the third Mass on Christmas.
* at the words ''et procidentes adoraverunt eum'' ("and falling down they adored him") in the Gospel for the Epiphany, Matthew 2:1-12 (which before 1960 was also the Last Gospel of the third Mass on Christmas)
* at the words ''Adiuva nos ...'' during the (identical) Tract said on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays in [[Lent]], except on Ember Wednesday. But no genuflection is envisaged when after Septuagesima the same Tract is used in the votive Mass at a time of Mortality (''Missa votiva tempore mortalitatis'')
* at the words ''et procidens adoravit eum'' ("and falling down he adored him") at the end of the Gospel for Wednesday in the Fourth Week of Lent, John 9:1-38
* at the words ''ut in nomine Iesu omne genu flectatur caelestium, terrestrium et infernorum'' ("that in the name of Jesus every knee should bow of those that are in heaven, on earth, and under the earth") in the Epistle ({{bibleverse||Philippians|2:5-11}}) of Palm Sunday, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross on 14 September (and also, before 1960, the Feast of the Invention of the Holy Cross on 3 May) and in the Epistle ({{bibleverse||Philippians|2:8-11}}) of the votive Mass of the Passion of the Lord.
* at the words ''[[Veni Sancte Spiritus|Veni, sancte Spiritus]]'' in the Alleluia before the Sequence on Pentecost Sunday and the Octave of Pentecost and in the votive Mass of the Holy Spirit

In the [[Maronite Catholic Church]], there is an evocative ceremony of genuflection on the feast of [[Pentecost]]. The congregation genuflects first on the left knee to [[God the Father]], then on the right knee to [[God the Son]], and finally on both knees to [[Holy Spirit|God the Holy Spirit]].

=== Genuflecting to a bishop ===
From the custom of genuflecting to kings and other nobles arose the custom by which lay people or clergy of lesser rank genuflect to a prelate and kiss his [[ecclesiastical ring|episcopal ring]],<ref>[http://www.reu.org/public/ssbdocs/ssb0003.txt Canons of the Holy Orthodox Church, American Jurisdiction] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090220010620/http://www.reu.org/public/ssbdocs/ssb0003.txt |date=February 20, 2009 }}</ref> as a sign of acceptance of the [[bishop]]'s [[Apostolic succession|apostolic authority as representing Christ]] in the local church,<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kfoMPgke_YAC&q=%22bishop's+ring%22+kiss&pg=PA36|title=The Catholic Answer Book|first=Peter M. J.|last=Stravinskas|date=3 March 1994|publisher=Our Sunday Visitor|isbn=9780879737375|access-date=3 March 2018|via=Google Books}}{{Dead link|date=May 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> and originally their social position as lords.  Abbots and other senior monastics often received genuflection from their monks and often others.

Genuflecting before ''greater prelates'' (i.e. Bishops in their own dioceses, Metropolitans in their province, Papal Legates in the territory assigned to them, and Cardinals either outside of Rome or in the church assigned to them in Rome) is treated as obligatory in editions of the ''[[Caeremoniale Episcoporum]]'' earlier than that of 1985;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ceremoniaire.net/print/caer_ep/Caeremoniale_Ep-latin.pdf|title=Book 1, chapter XVIII of the 1886 edition|access-date=3 March 2018}}</ref> during [[Liturgy|liturgical]] functions [[Tridentine Mass|according to these prescriptions]], clergy genuflect when passing before such prelates, but an officiating priest and any more junior prelates, canons, etc. substitute a bow of the head and shoulders for the genuflection.<ref name=CE/>

The present Catholic liturgical books exclude genuflecting to a bishop during the liturgy: "A genuflection, made by bending the right knee to the ground, signifies adoration, and therefore it is reserved for the Most Blessed Sacrament, as well as for the Holy Cross from the solemn adoration during the liturgical celebration on [[Good Friday]] until the beginning of the [[Easter]] Vigil."<ref name="GIRM">{{cite web |title=The General Instruction of the Roman Missal |url=http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/documents/200707031933.pdf |publisher=Australian Catholic Bishops' Conference |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080720091216/http://www.acbc.catholic.org.au/documents/200707031933.pdf |archive-date=20 July 2008 |date=May 2007}}</ref> But outside of the liturgy some continue to genuflect or kneel to kiss a bishop's ring.<ref>[http://dappledphotos.blogspot.com/2005/11/baciamano.html Baciamano] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070705134743/http://dappledphotos.blogspot.com/2005/11/baciamano.html |date=July 5, 2007 }}</ref>

Though it is frequently asserted that genuflections are to be made on the left knee when made to merely human authorities,<ref name=Compass>[http://www.thecompassnews.org/2011/03/genuflection-which-knee-is-which/ "Genuflection — which knee is which?", ''The Compass'', March 19, 2011, Catholic Diocese of Green Bay, Wisconsin]</ref> there is no such prescription in any liturgical book.

== Image gallery ==
<gallery>
Image:1815-regency-proposal-woodcut.gif|Woodcut depicting marriage proposal - genuflection (kneel/squat combination)
Image:Tim_Tebow_Tebowing.jpg|[[American football]] player [[Tim Tebow]] "[[tebowing]]" as genuflection (kneel/squat combination).
File:Hermod before Hela.jpg|1909 drawing of [[Hermod]] genuflecting before [[Hel (being)|Hela]], from [[Norse myth]]
</gallery>

== See also ==
{{Portal|Christianity|History|Middle Ages}}
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

* [[Agonoclita]]
* [[Bowing]]
* [[Christian prayer]]
* [[Kowtow]]
* [[Marriage proposal]]
* [[Prostration]]
* [[Salah]]
* ''[[Seiza]]''
* [[Sign of the cross]]
* [[Squatting position]]
* [[Tebowing]]
* [[Veneration]]
* [[Warschauer Kniefall]]
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Catholic|title=Genuflexion}}

{{Gestures}}
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[[Category:Eucharistic devotions]]
[[Category:Gestures of respect]]
[[Category:Kneeling]]
[[Category:Worship]]
[[Category:Bowing]]