Church Etiquette

O Lord, sanctify those who love the beauty of your house.

When you enter the church, please observe the following:

Bless yourself with the sign of the Cross, take a candle, make your offering, and light your candle as you offer a prayer for the living and/or the dead.  In addition, you can also pray for any special needs.  Then, quietly enter the church and join the faithful in worship.

However, please do not enter the church while any of the following are taking place:

  • Whenever the priest is facing or blessing the faithful

  • Whenever the clergy are in a procession

  • Whenever the clergy are censing the altar or the faithful

  • Whenever the Epistle or Gospel is being read

  • Whenever the priest is delivering the Liturgical Homily

PLEASE ENTER THE CHURCH AFTER THE ABOVE EVENTS ARE COMPLETED.

Remember that the church is a place of worship.  Please do not disturb others as they worship God.

The various services of worship may be found as follows:

  • Orthros:

 Red Service Book, page 44
  • The Divine Liturgy:
 Red Service Book, page 91
  • Memorial Service:
 Red Service Book, page 183
  • Churching Service:
 Red Service Book, page 217
  • Removal of Crowns:
 Red Service Book, page 181

PLEASE PARTICIPATE IN WORSHIP

The word Liturgy is a combination of two Greek words: leitos and ergon - meaning "concerning the people" and "work", respectively.  It denotes a familiar task in which all the people take part.  Thus, in Liturgy there is no audience; everyone is a participant.  Liturgy is not something that goes on just between the priest and the choir; the function of the choir is to lead all the people into full participation.