Your first Sunday
Orthodox worship may feel unfamiliar at first. You are welcome to stand with us, listen, pray, and encounter the ancient worship of the Church without feeling pressure to know every response or gesture.
Before and during the service
Divine Liturgy is the common worship of the Church, not a performance. The faithful gather to hear the Word of God, offer thanksgiving, and participate in the Holy Eucharist.
Divine Liturgy begins Sunday at 12:30 PM. Please arrive 15 minutes early so you have time to silence your phone, light a candle, find a place, and become attentive before the service begins. Please avoid conversation and photography during worship.
Please observe the parish dress code. Men should wear long trousers and a shirt with sleeves. Women should wear a modest dress or skirt below the knee, cover their shoulders, and cover their heads in church. Please avoid shorts, sleeveless tops, and revealing clothing.
The service includes Scripture, incense, processions, bows, the Sign of the Cross, and the veneration of icons. The traditional Orthodox posture for prayer is standing, so please plan to stand throughout the Divine Liturgy. Those who are elderly, pregnant, ill, disabled, or otherwise physically unable to stand may sit as needed. Visitors are not expected to copy every gesture; simply remain prayerful and follow at your own pace.
Children and infants are part of the worshiping community and are welcome at Divine Liturgy. If a child needs a short break, step out quietly and return when ready.
Prayers to know
The Symbol of Faith and the Lord’s Prayer are proclaimed during Divine Liturgy. The Jesus Prayer may be prayed quietly at any time. Each prayer appears in English and liturgical Church Slavonic.
The Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed
English
I believe in one God, Father Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible.
And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the only-begotten Son of God, begotten of the Father before all ages; Light of Light, true God of true God, begotten, not created; of one essence with the Father through Whom all things were made. Who for us men and for our salvation came down from heaven and was incarnate of the Holy Spirit and the Virgin Mary and became man. He was crucified for us under Pontius Pilate, and suffered and was buried.
And He rose on the third day, according to the Scriptures. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father; and He will come again with glory to judge the living and the dead. His kingdom shall have no end.
And in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the Creator of life, Who proceeds from the Father, Who together with the Father and the Son is worshipped and glorified, Who spoke through the prophets.
In one, holy, catholic, and apostolic Church. I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. I look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the age to come. Amen.
Church Slavonic
Верую во единаго Бога Отца, Вседержителя, Творца небу и земли, видимым же всем и невидимым.
И во единаго Господа Иисуса Христа, Сына Божия, Единороднаго, Иже от Отца рожденнаго прежде всех век; Света от Света, Бога истинна от Бога истинна, рожденна, несотворенна, единосущна Отцу, Имже вся быша.
Нас ради человек и нашего ради спасения сшедшаго с небес, и воплотившагося от Духа Свята и Марии Девы, и вочеловечшася.
Распятаго же за ны при Понтийстем Пилате, и страдавша, и погребенна. И воскресшаго в третий день по Писанием. И возшедшаго на небеса, и седяща одесную Отца.
И паки грядущаго со славою судити живым и мертвым, Егоже Царствию не будет конца.
И в Духа Святаго, Господа, Животворящаго, Иже от Отца исходящаго, Иже со Отцем и Сыном спокланяема и сславима, глаголавшаго пророки.
Во едину Святую, Соборную и Апостольскую Церковь. Исповедую едино крещение во оставление грехов. Чаю воскресения мертвых, и жизни будущаго века. Аминь.
Heard during Divine Liturgy
English
Our Father, Who art in Heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy Kingdom come; Thy will be done, on earth as it is in Heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.
Church Slavonic
Отче наш, Иже еси на небесех! Да святится имя Твое, да приидет Царствие Твое, да будет воля Твоя, яко на небеси и на земли. Хлеб наш насущный даждь нам днесь; и остави нам долги наша, якоже и мы оставляем должником нашим; и не введи нас во искушение, но избави нас от лукаваго.
A prayer of the heart
English
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.
Church Slavonic
Господи Иисусе Христе, Сыне Божий, помилуй мя, грешнаго.
A woman praying this form says «грешную» in place of «грешнаго».
This prayer may be repeated quietly and attentively, joining the mind and heart to Christ.
The Holy Eucharist
The Orthodox Church receives Holy Communion as the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and therefore practices closed Communion.
Only baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who are in good standing and properly prepared may receive from the chalice. Preparation ordinarily includes prayer, fasting, repentance, reconciliation with others, and confession according to the guidance of one’s priest or spiritual father.
Orthodox visitors from another parish who wish to receive should contact Father Ivan before the service. Non-Orthodox visitors and anyone who is not prepared should not approach the chalice. At the dismissal, everyone is welcome to receive antidoron, the blessed bread offered by the priest.
Ask Father Ivan about Communion →The Mystery of Repentance
Confession is the sacrament of repentance and reconciliation with God in the Church. It is not a hurried formality performed automatically in the Communion line. Orthodox Christians should follow the direction of their priest or spiritual father regarding how often they confess and how they prepare to receive Communion.
If you would like to make a confession at our parish, contact Father Ivan in advance so that an appropriate time can be arranged.
Arrange confession with Father IvanLearn more from the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America:
What to Expect When Visiting an Orthodox Christian Church ↗︎Preparing for Divine Liturgy and Holy Communion ↗︎The Creed: The Symbol of Faith ↗︎