WELCOME to the Orthodox Church - the original Church of the Christian faith. We are happy to have you join us this morning! If this is your first time in our community, please take time to provide us with some information about yourselves.
You are welcome to join your prayers with others present. We welcome any questions you may have. Feel free to speak to a parish council member, or speak to the parish priest after Divine Liturgy.
Some common questions from non-Orthodox guests:
Q: I DON’T KNOW GREEK- WILL I UNDERSTAND ANY OF THE SERVICE?
R: You will have no problem understanding the service. The entire Divine Liturgy is conducted in English.
However, to honor the ancient roots of our Christian faith and our spiritual affiliation with our Mother Church, The Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople, we do recite some “repetitive” parts, hymns and certain prayers in both English and Koine Greek (the word “Greek” in “Greek Orthodox Church” refers Koine Greek, and one of the main languages of early Christianity and the original language of the written Gospel, which differs from the later modern Greek in use today).
The books in the pew in front of you are in both English and Greek for your use and guidance during the Divine Liturgy. (We respectfully ask that you do not take the books home with you).
Q: DO I HAVE TO STAND DURING LITURGY?
R: Standing throughout the entire service is a traditional practice still seen in some Orthodox communities. More commonly in many Orthodox parishes (including ours), the Orthodox faithful will stand during certain sacred parts of the service (such as the Gospel reading, processions, prayers and Holy Communion) as a gesture of reverence.
FOR VISITORS: If you are able, we ask that you follow this practice out of respect (take your cues from those around you, or from the priest). If, for physical reasons, you are unable to stand or stay standing for any length of time, you are absolutely welcome to stay seated or sit down.
Q: CAN I RECEIVE HOLY COMMUNION?
A: As the central sacrament of our faith, the Orthodox Church believes in the real presence of the Body and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. It is reserved ONLY for Orthodox Christians who have prepared to receive it, including guests visiting from other Orthodox churches. For our non-Orthodox Christian guests: It is an unfortunate reality that, while professing a belief in Jesus Christ, there is not currently intercommunion between the Orthodox Church and many non-Orthodox Christian confessions, but we do pray that through the Holy Spirit we may achieve this someday.
If you are not an Orthodox Christian (or if you are Orthodox, but you’re not prepared), you may remain standing in your pew while communion is distributed. ALTERNATIVELY, if you desire to do so, you may join the line and when you approach the chalice, identify yourself quietly as non-Orthodox or unprepared to the priest, and ask for and receive a blessing from him.
ALL who are attending the Liturgy (Orthodox or not) are welcome to receive a piece of the blessed bread (antidoron) from the parish priest at the conclusion of Divine Liturgy, as a gesture of welcome and goodwill. Please join us for fellowship during our coffee hour in our Church Hall following the service.
