First Visit | Church Etiquette

It can be daunting to participate in an Orthodox service for the first time. Therefore, we offer the following pointers to help you feel at ease:

You are welcome! All our services are ‘open to the public.’ It is not necessary to request permission to attend or announce your arrival in advance (though you are welcome to do so, if you wish).

Formal attire is not required but please dress modestly. Try to avoid bare shoulders or knees. Some women in our community follow the traditional practice of wearing a head scarf but this is not mandatory. Men should not wear hats.

Orthodox services can be quite long. People sometimes arrive late or leave early, which may be necessary (especially for those with small children), but please try not to disrupt the service or disturb those who are praying.

We regard the church as a sacred space, set aside for encounter with God. Please help us to maintain a quiet and focused atmosphere, limiting your movement around the space and avoiding creating distractions for yourself and those around you.

Orthodox Christians stand to pray. Benches are available for those who cannot stand (especially children and the infirm). If you must sit, please make sure that you do stand when you hear the command (‘Stand aright!’/’Let us stand’) given by the priest/deacon.

The clergy and choir lead the service, which is almost entirely sung. There are no ‘pew books’ of any kind. This can be a bit disorienting in the beginning, but it is actually liberating! Just try to pay attention and let the words and actions soak in.

Everyone may receive blessed bread (antidoron) as a sign of fellowship after the Divine Liturgy and be anointed with oil at the Vigil. Everyone may also light candles, venerate the icons, cross, and relics, and receive a blessing from the priest.

Only Orthodox Christians may receive Holy Communion (the bread and wine consecrated as the body and blood of Christ). If you are not a member of the Orthodox Church, you should not approach the chalice for Holy Communion.

Don’t worry too much about doing anything ‘wrong.’ Take your cues from the people around you. We will gently guide you, if necessary. You won’t be asked to do anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.

Expect the unexpected! Orthodox worship and church etiquette can feel unfamiliar, even to regular churchgoers of other traditions. We will be happy to try to answer any questions after the service.

To our own community members and Orthodox visitors from other communities, we offer the following reminders about good church etiquette:

1. Prayerful participation in the services requires preparation before we arrive at the church. We should strive to arrive in a calm and contemplative frame of mind. We should attend to bodily needs before the service. Children should be encouraged to be calm and shown a good example.
2. Modest, tidy dress is indicative of a respectful attitude towards the services and preparedness for prayer. We avoid bare shoulders and knees. Head coverings are not obligatory for women but are prohibited for men.
3. Services begin punctually at the advertised time. To arrive late or depart early is far from ideal. If this is unavoidable, we must ensure that our entry/exit does not interrupt the service or disturb other worshippers.
4. Upon arrival at the temple, we make the customary bows with accompanying prayers and venerate the icons. If the service has not begun, we ask for a blessing from the priest, especially if we are undertaking any ministry. Greetings should usually be postponed until after the service.
5. Since our temple is very small, we must be extremely attentive to how we occupy the space. Do not block the entry way. Store bags and jackets neatly. Try not to move around unnecessarily. Only use the toilet during a service if absolutely necessary.
6. We avoid all unnecessary conversation in the temple, especially during the services. The time before and after services (especailly after the Vigil) is reserved primarily for quiet prayer. After the Divine Liturgy, we listen attentively to the Prayers of Thanksgiving before breaking our fast together and enjoying fellowship.
7. Those blessed to sing from the kleros, serve in the altar, or otherwise lead worship should arrive in good time (before the service begins), remain attentive and aware of their role as exemplars throughout, and not leave before the service ends.
8. We refrain from all use of mobile phones during the services. Even their limited use for reading service texts or taking occasional photos is extremely distracting to those around you. Think about how your choices impact those around you.
9. Parents are responsible for the good behaviour of their children. It is not appropriate for children (except infants) to eat or drink during services. Any activities intended to occupy children should be discreet and appropriate. Children should not roam free nor should parents be constantly entering and exiting the temple in pursuit of them.
10. Confessions are usually witnessed before and after evening services and by appointment. Those wishing to receive Holy Communion should be known by name to the priest and appropriately prepared. Visitors should make their intention to commune known to the priest before the service, if possible, to avoid conversations at the chalice.

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