Genuflection
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Genuflection is an act of reverence consisting of falling onto (usually) one knee. Today the term is used mostly in the Latin rite of the Roman Catholic Church and in churches of the Anglican Communion. The faithful who pass before the presence of the Blessed Sacrament (generally reserved in the tabernacle) are expected to genuflect on the right knee as a sign of devotion. If the Eucharist is exposed in a monstrance or a ciborium is placed on an altar for a service of devotion, one may genuflect on both knees (called a "double genuflection"). Genuflection may occur at other times as well, for example when the Blessed Sacrament is being moved (e.g., from one tabernacle to another), or at certain points in the liturgy (e.g., at the words "and was incarnate by the Holy Ghost of the Virgin Mary, and was made man" in recitation of the Nicene Creed).
Traditionally, members of the altar party passing in front of the tabernacle during the Mass would genuflect each time he or she passed; however, this practice is now uncommon. In the Roman Communion, recent instructions from the Vatican have indicated that it suffices to genuflect once at the beginning and once at the end of Mass. Sacristans and those in employ of the church need customarily only make one genuflection, albeit solemnly, when beginning their tasks as they would otherwise involve constant genuflection.
On Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Roman Catholic Churches do not contain the Blessed Sacrament. However, there is a custom whereby the faithful genuflect to the crucifix on these days, once it has been revealed in the Good Friday service. In churches of the Anglican Communion, it is customary on Good Friday to venerate a large cross or crucifix, and the devotional act may include a simple or double genuflection.
In the Maronite Catholic Church, there is an evocative ceremony of genuflection for 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 God the Holy Spirit.
Members of the Eastern Rite Catholic Churches and the Orthodox Churches generally make a profound bow in the same situations where a Latin rite Catholic would genuflect. In the Roman Catholic and Anglican Communions, a profound bow is an acceptable substitute if one is physically unable to genuflect. Due to Latinisation, however, many still kneel or genuflect in private prayer. It is considered extremely rude to enter a Greek Catholic church and genuflect rather than making a metasis (deep bow paired with crossing oneself) and one should be cautious to follow Greek tradition when in a Greek church.
The term genuflection comes from the Latin, meaning bending the knee.
Note: There is a reverence used by both Orthodox & Eastern Catholics called a "metania," "metany," or "metanoia." The term "metasis" appears to be an error.
