First time in an Orthodox Church?
Please accept these tips to help your first few visits.
Come and see.
Like visiting any new culture for the first time, the best way to learn about the Orthodox Church is to simply come and see. Experience it firsthand. Endure the awkward stumbling through that many of us also experienced. Engage the community during the meal after the service and ask questions. We’re happy to have you! The best advice we can offer is to go all in for at least a month. One Sunday is nice, but it isn’t enough to receive the full picture.
If it’s truly your very first time, we recommend first coming to a service called Great Vespers at 5:30PM on Saturdays. It serves as a preparation for the next day’s Divine Liturgy. It’s about 45 minutes long and it’s simple, subdued, and quite prayerful. A great introduction!
Then on Sundays we celebrate the greatest event in the cosmos, the Divine Liturgy! It begins at 9:45AM, and it is the pinnacle and climax of our entire spiritual life! Everything we do is connected to the Divine Liturgy. There is no Christian life without it. For this reason, it is our most vibrant, lively, and active service, lasting usually between an hour and a half to two hours. Many report that it doesn’t feel so long when it’s over.
Another service precedes the Liturgy beginning at 8:30AM called Orthros. It is another precursor and preparation for the Liturgy. So, depending on when you arrive, it may feel like you’ve missed the beginning and you’re late. Rest assured, you’re not!
Who can attend?
All are welcome! And we do mean all. It’s been said, “God indeed loves you as you are, but He loves you enough to not let you stay that way.” So come as you are, and expect to be transformed.
We welcome people of all ages and abilities. We have seating for the elder and less able-bodied and plenty of open space for families with children. Children are welcome to attend a Sunday School lesson afterward, and we have a great outdoor space for everyone to enjoy called The Mother of God’s Garden.
We also welcome everyone to join us for a full meal after Sunday Divine Liturgy, called an Agape Meal.
Many first time visitors have found this article extremely helpful.
Tips & Tricks
Here are a few of our pointers that will help your first visits:
Turn off your cell phone, or leave it in your vehicle. If your phone does make sound during a service please walk out and silence it.
It is perfectly acceptable to take pictures after the service is over, but not during.
Watch the movements and actions of others and feel free to go where they go and do what they do, with the exception of clergy and choir.
Light a candle if you’d like and place it in the sand up near the front. This is a small physical form of prayer who many offer for a loved one or anyone in need.
Save conversations for after the service is over.
Come in all the way. You’re not expected to stay in the back just because you’re new.
Dress appropriately. On Sundays, wear your best. Err on the side of modest.
Sing along if you’d like! We also have service books available when you come in. Though, many have learned that the book distracts from their experience.
Communion in the Orthodox Church is reserved only for baptized and practicing Orthodox Christians.
At the end of the service, everyone is invited to come up, receive a blessing, and enjoy a piece of blessed bread. This bread is not communion but rather an offering of love to all.
Sign our guestbook, or come speak to the priest, so we can follow up with you.
If you have any questions at all, please contact us.
Where to learn more?
In the meantime, if you’d like to do your own studying, Ancient Faith Ministries is the best and most trustworthy resource for Orthodox content in the United States. It is full of books, blogs, podcasts, videos, merchandise, and more. You can find them here.
We also offer a seasonal class for inquirers and those seeking to join the Church. Check our online schedule for dates and times.
A Final Word of Caution
We encourage the freedom of inquiry and exploration! What the Church offers is not a secret or only for an elite few. That being said, the internet is full of opinions of Orthodox people, but not necessarily Orthodox opinions. There is no substitute for in-person fellowship, conversation, and real life experience. Exercise caution in online forums and beware of the comments sections. You never know who is on the other end. Nothing should be regarded as authoritative without verification by several offline Orthodox resources such as your local priest or bishop. As always, we are happy to answer any questions you have, or point you to a proven resource.