Since there are many processions in the church during this week here is what not to do to the poor unfortunate deacon (you can tell I did this before) who carries the icon.
1. The amount blessing you receive is not related to the amount of force you use to hit the icon.
2. If you do insist on swinging at the icon, please make sure your aim is dead on.
3. On Palm Sunday, if you cannot reach the icon with your hand, that’s okay you won’t suffer fiery perdition as a result, but DO NOT swing at it with you palm branch particularly the pointy end.
4. Do not try to yank the icon out of the deacon’s hands for whatever reason; that’s not taking a blessing, its grand theft icon.
5. Do not grab the deacon or icon so some one has time to dive across the pew to reach the icon (a favorite trick of the old ladies in our church), it only cause the censer to accidentally whack the deacon in the legs.
6. Do not tug , grab or attempt to strip the deacon of his vestments(and possible clothing), there is no blessing in it and you may cause the deacon to say something he shouldn’t in church.
7. Finally please remember the deacon carrying the icon still feels pain, he is not imbued with a heavenly invulnerability by the icon ( unfortunately)
Not So Spiritual Words 