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Banner lettered "Part One: Your First Visit": a stick-figure visitor carrying a candle walks up a grassy path toward a small domed church beside a tree.

PART ONE · 7 ENTRIES

Your First Visit

  1. 1Who Are the Orthodox?The Orthodox Church is one communion of self-governing churches that share one faith and one Eucharist, and you don't have to be Greek or Russian to belong to it.
  2. 2What to WearDress modestly and a notch above everyday; men take hats off inside, women may wear skirts or trousers, and a head covering is most common in Slavic and Romanian parishes and less common in Greek and Antiochian ones.
  3. 3Bringing KidsBring them; children are normal in an Orthodox church, there's usually no nursery, and if one gets loud you walk to the back and come back.
  4. 4Arriving LateYou probably aren't late, because the morning service is usually underway when most people arrive; come in quietly, and wait at the door only during the Gospel, the Great Entrance, or a censing.
  5. 5Can I Take Communion?Communion in an Orthodox church is for Orthodox Christians who have prepared for it; visitors are welcome at everything else, including the blessed bread at the end in most parishes.
  6. 6Your First Divine LiturgyA one-page cheat sheet for your first Sunday, from the door to coffee hour.
  7. 7The Service MapThe whole Sunday morning as one road in four movements, with every stop in this guide in order.