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A FIELD GUIDE TO THE ORTHODOX CHURCH

Your First Divine Liturgy

One page. Print it, fold it, keep it in your pocket.

Before you go. Dress as if meeting someone important who also loves you. Men: no hats inside. Women: skirts or trousers both fine; most women cover their heads in Slavic and Romanian parishes, most don't in Greek and Antiochian ones. The posted time is usually the Liturgy, and Matins is already going when most people arrive. You're not late.

In the narthex. Light a candle and kiss or bow to the icon by the door if you'd like; it's optional for visitors. Then go in, find a spot toward the back, and stand.

During the service.

  1. 1WALK IN ANY TIME – even mid-service. Matins is already happening.Body-cue icon: walk up (a walking figure).
  2. 2"Blessed is the Kingdom" – the Liturgy begins.Body-cue icon: stand.
  3. 3Hymns and litanies – "Lord, have mercy" is the people's part.Body-cue icon: stand.Body-cue icon: sitting is OK (a seated figure with a check mark).
  4. 4SMALL ENTRANCE – the Gospel book processes.Body-cue icon: stand.Body-cue icon: bow.
  5. 5Epistle, Gospel, homily – sit for readings and sermon, stand for the Gospel.Body-cue icon: sitting is OK (a seated figure with a check mark).Body-cue icon: stand.
  6. 6GREAT ENTRANCE – bread and wine carried in; not yet consecrated.Body-cue icon: stand.Body-cue icon: bow head (a standing figure, eyes closed, head lowered).
  7. 7The Creed – "I believe..." said or sung by everyone.Body-cue icon: stand.
  8. 8COMMUNION – prepared Orthodox come forward, arms crossed; visitors stay or come for a blessing.Body-cue icon: arms crossed over the chest.
  9. 9Blessing and dismissal – "We have beheld the true Light."Body-cue icon: bow head (a standing figure, eyes closed, head lowered).
  10. 10Kiss the cross, take the blessed bread, coffee hour.Body-cue icon: walk up (a walking figure).

Communion. For Orthodox Christians who have prepared. Visitors are welcome at everything else.

After. Line up to kiss the cross and take the blessed bread (antidoron). It isn't Communion, and in most parishes it's offered to visitors too. Then coffee hour. Go. Someone will ask, "Are you visiting?" and mean it kindly.

Crossing yourself is optional for visitors throughout. Standing when others stand is enough.

Nobody expects you to know any of this. Stand when they stand, sit when you're tired, and watch. You're a guest, and you're welcome. Just come and see.