We welcome any and all who might be interested in seeing Eastern style Christian worship! Some information you may appreciate, based off of questions we’ve had in the past:

ALL SERVICES:

All our services are in English.

Many people have told our priest that they are worried about doing something wrong, or offending others. They say they're worried about not crossing themselves at the right time, not moving at the right time, not knowing some etiquette or rule. Let us assure you that unless you start screaming obscenities in the middle of a service, our ideas of proper behavior are exactly the same as yours. We do not have any expectation that people follow unseen rules, and we have no odd rituals that will leave you lost. With as many people as have been exploring Orthodoxy in America lately, it is very likely that there are other first-timers in the congregation as well. Please, please do not worry about 'doing something wrong.' We do our services a certain way, yes, but if someone were just standing or sitting through a service, copying others as best they can and even if they were never crossing themselves, we would not notice them as any different than other worshippers. 

Attire is usually collared shirts for men and long pants. Women wear dresses, skirts, or pants. Some women, about half, cover their hair with a veil or hat and visitors are welcome to do so. Comfortable shoes are encouraged – women may regret heels – as we stand for 95% of our services, symbolic of our being alive in Christ. Beards are not required for men (or women).

Visitors are welcome to venerate the icons (go before them, cross yourself, and kiss them) but are not expected to. If the cross is offered at the end of a service for veneration, you are welcome to venerate it as well but do not have to.

You can stand/sit wherever you like. If the priest comes your way during a censing (spreading incense around the church) just make room for him to pass, usually by heading to the center of the church, or moving into an aisle.

Children tend to be given a bit more leeway in Orthodox services, in our experience, than other religions. It’s expected you will hear children at least some, and everyone will move around during the service. Children, being fully Baptized, Chrismated, and Communed members of the Church, are expected to be in services from a young age.

DIVINE LITURGY

If your first service is the Divine Liturgy, there are some special things to note:

If there is someone reading and singing prayers and psalms as you come in, you are not late: you are hearing the Matins service which is done before Liturgy.

Please do not attempt to receive Holy Communion. While we desire all to come to Christ and know Him through the Holy Eucharist, receiving Holy Communion in an Orthodox Church is a statement of belief in all that we believe, a commitment to participating in the life of The Church and uphold her teachings, and is only received after a recent Confession, period of fasting, and preparation through prayer.

After Liturgy is usually (every Sunday) a Coffee Hour, where much more than coffee is served. We would love to meet you and answer any questions you may have.

Divine Liturgy usually lasts about an hour and a half. Great Vespers lasts about forty-five minutes. Daily Vespers lasts about half an hour.

See this brochure for additional information about Orthodox Worship: