The Orthodox Church is grounded and centered wholly in the worship of God--the Father, the
Son and the Holy Spirit. Worship for us reflects a common expression of loving devotion
and thanksgiving to the God who first loved us in Jesus Christ. Worship also defines and
instructs us in the faith handed down to us from the holy Apostles throughout the entire
history of the Church to the present day.
The
following information will help you to get better aquainted with all that you see on your
first visit with us...
Lighting Candles
Candles are outward
expressions of inner prayerfulness, and may be lit and placed in the candle stands near
icons, when one enters the church. Feel free to do this, and to venerate the icons,
whenever you enter the church, even if the service is underway, except during the Gospel
or the sermon.
Music
Orthodox
music is traditionally sung without accompaniment. At Holy Cross we encourage informal
congregational participation in singing. Even for a first time visitor, it is often
possible to sing along with the Lord’s Prayer, or the “Lord have mercy”
refrain, and other musical phrases which are simple and are repeated quite
often. Feel free to join in.
Holy Communion
For Orthodox
this sacramental meal is a Passover, bearing all the spiritual weight and
community-forming power of the Old Testament Passover and, in Christ, a deeper dimension
still. This Passover is based in the conscience of the community, not in the
conscience of individuals alone. For this reason, only the Orthodox faithful who are
regular communicants in their home parish approach to receive Holy Communion.
Church Bread
At the end
of the service, everyone is welcome to come up to venerate the cross, receive the
priest’s blessing, and share the blessed church bread. (This bread is also
called antidoron and is not the same as Holy Communion.) Some people kiss the
cross when they come to venerate it as they would venerate any other icon.
Fellowship Hour
You are
invited to stay after the Divine Liturgy for friendly conversation, coffee and other
refreshments during our Fellowship Hour. You might also want to browse through the
information display.
You are
always welcome!
May God bless you!
.
