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Prostration
The physical act of bowing — from the simple bow to the full prostration; the body's participation in prayer.
Orthodox liturgical practice includes a spectrum of physical bows: the simple incline of the head, the bow from the waist, the full prostration (metanoia) touching forehead to floor. Prostrations are made at specific moments of the Liturgy, during personal prayer, and as a form of penance. During Great Lent, prostrations accompany the Prayer of St. Ephrem the Syrian at weekday services. On Sundays and from Pascha to Pentecost, prostrations are forbidden — for we stand as those who have risen with Christ.