Visiting Us

If this will be your first time at an Orthodox service, here is what you can expect. Don't worry about getting everything right — no one is keeping score, and you are welcome to follow along however you can. The Liturgy is something we step into rather than something we perform.

When to come

Our principal weekly service is the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning. We also serve the All-Night Vigil on Saturday evening, and additional services for great feasts and during the fasts. The current month's schedule is on our home page, and we publish it monthly in English and in Russian. You can also subscribe to the parish calendar on your phone to see all services automatically.

What to wear

Modest, respectful dress is the custom. There is no strict requirement, but most parishioners avoid shorts, low-cut tops, and clothing with prominent slogans or images. Women traditionally cover their heads with a scarf or veil in church (this is provided at the door if you don't have one). Men remove hats inside the temple. Comfortable shoes are a good idea — most of the service is spent standing.

What the service is like

The Divine Liturgy lasts roughly an hour and a half to two hours and is sung throughout. There is incense, candlelight, iconography, and the voices of the choir. The faithful stand for most of the service (chairs are available along the walls if you need to sit). At various moments you will see people cross themselves, bow, kiss icons, or light candles — all of this is normal devotion, and you are welcome to participate as you feel comfortable or simply to observe.

A note on Holy Communion

In the Orthodox Church, Holy Communion is reserved for baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared through fasting, prayer, and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox, please do not come forward to the chalice — but you are warmly invited to come up at the end of the Liturgy to venerate the cross and receive a piece of the blessed bread (antidoron) along with everyone else.

Questions, or want to learn more?

Our rector and parishioners are happy to talk with anyone exploring the Orthodox faith. You are welcome to come simply to be present and observe for as long as you wish. If you would like to speak with the rector, send an email to kaydanovart@gmail.com or call +1 (386) 225-6993.