What is the etiquette of attending the house of the Lord?

St. Basil talks about the importance of respecting God’s house, saying, “‘The heavens show forth the glory of God’ (Ps. 18:2). The praise of God is a duty belonging to angels. This one duty, referring glory to the Creator, belongs to every army of heavenly creatures. Every creature, whether silent or uttering sound, celestial or terrestrial, gives glory to the Creator. But, wretched men, who leave their homes and run to the temple, as if to enrich themselves somewhat, do not lend their ears to the words of God. They do not possess knowledge of their nature; they are not distressed, although they have previously committed sin. They do not grieve at remembering their sins, nor do they fear the judgment; but, smiling and shaking hands with one another. They make the house of prayer a place of lengthy conversations, pretending not to hear the psalm, which solemnly protests and says, ‘In the temple of God all shall speak his glory’ (Ps. 29:1–2). You not only do not speak of His glory, but, you even become a hindrance to the other, turning his attention to yourself and drowning out the teaching of the Spirit by your own clamor. See to it that you do not at some time leave condemned along with those blaspheming the name of God instead of receiving a reward for glorifying Him … This statement, ‘In his temple all shall speak his glory,’ was made not unfittingly in a digression, because some in the temple of God talk endlessly until their tongue aches; and these enter without profit. Would that it might be only without profit and not with harm!”¹²⁸²

1282 St. Basil of Caesarea, Homilies on the Psalms 13.7 On Psalm 28 (FOTC 46:209–210).