For Visitors & Inquirers
What to Expect on Your First Visit
On your first visit(s), you'll be welcomed heartily! If the worship has not already started, someone will greet you and welcome you. If the worship has already started, make sure you stay afterwards and — if it is Sunday — also join us next door for "coffee hour" (pot-luck style lunch), so that we get to welcome you.
Many of our members came to Orthodoxy from other faith traditions, so our parish is full of people who remember making that first visit.
Come to Pray
We come to church to pray and worship God above all else. Feel free to stand, sit, or simply observe as you become comfortable with the services.
Stay for Coffee Hour
After Sunday Divine Liturgy, all are invited to a pot-luck style lunch. This is a wonderful opportunity to meet the community.
Ask Questions
Our parish is full of people who remember their own first visit. Don't hesitate to ask questions — everyone is happy to help.
Come Back Often
The Orthodox liturgical life is rich and deep. Each visit reveals something new about the ancient Christian faith.
Church Etiquette
The Holy Orthodox Church is perhaps one of the last social institutions where dignity, protocol, respect, and reverence are maintained. When we come to church, we are entering the Kingdom of God on earth.
"You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation."
Dress Modestly
Dress with reverence, as you are entering the presence of God.
No Food or Drink
Except during the Divine Liturgy itself (Holy Communion). Please refrain from eating or drinking in the nave.
Standing in Prayer
Orthodox Christians traditionally stand during services. Sitting is permitted if needed for health reasons.
Venerate Icons
You are welcome to venerate (kiss) the icons. Follow the example of those around you.
Silence & Reverence
Maintain a spirit of prayer and quiet reverence during services.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is reserved for Orthodox Christians who have prepared through fasting and confession. Visitors are warmly welcome to receive a blessing.
Adapted from the Antiochian Archdiocese Guide to Parish Etiquette
Information for Inquirers
Eastern Orthodox Faith
This 'Eastern' Orthodox faith has established itself throughout the world: in North America, Africa, Australia, and Western Europe. Orthodox missionaries from Russia were present in Alaska by the late 1700s, and in Japan and China by the mid-1800s. The spread of Orthodox peoples throughout the world increased dramatically during the 20th century.
Greek Orthodox? Russian Orthodox?
Orthodox parishes are often identified according to the language in which services are celebrated or the national identity of parishioners. Thus they have come to be known as 'Greek Orthodox,' 'Russian Orthodox,' 'Serbian Orthodox,' etc. But this can be misleading: there is only one Orthodox Church, and it is not tied to any particular nationality. The Orthodox Church is for everyone, regardless of ethnicity.
Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism
The Catholic Church was one with the Orthodox Church until about the 11th century. The rupture that occurred at that time had many complex causes, including the tendency of the Western Church to invest more and more authority in the Pope. The Orthodox Church has never had a worldwide, centralized government like the Papacy; instead, each local church governs itself in mutual accord with all the other local Orthodox churches.
Orthodoxy and Protestantism
Protestant denominations have their origins in 16th-century Western Europe. Some of the Protestant reformers were earnestly trying to return to the Church of the New Testament — the early Church of the Apostles. Ironically, with a bit of education they would have found what they were seeking in the Orthodox Church.
What Does Orthodoxy Teach?
The word Orthodox is Greek for 'right glory' and refers to the correctness and truth of the Orthodox Church's faith and worship. The Orthodox faith is expressed most fully in the Bible — the God-inspired books of the Old and New Testaments. This same faith is expressed very succinctly by the Nicene Creed, composed by theologians who met at the first two great Ecumenical Councils held in 325 and 381.
Have more questions? We'd love to hear from you.
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