Many first time visitors have questions about what to expect when attending services at a new church so we have compiled several resources to help answer some of those most commonly asked questions.
Our parish is a member of the Antiochian Orthodox Archdiocese of North America and follows the liturgical practice and canoncial discipline of our Archdiocese and Patriarchate. All our services are in English.
Things I Wish I'd Known Before Attending-A Guide to Your First Venture into an Eastern Orthodox Church "What is a Liturgy? Am I Welcome? Do They Speak English?" This blog post by an Orthodox seminary student covers some of the most commonly asked questions that people have regarding Orthodox services.
First Visit to An Orthodox Church: Twelve Things I Wish I'd Known "Information to make you feel more at home in Orthodox worship. This article is also available in booklet format at our church.
A Guide to Church Etiquette: How to Show Proper Respect and Reverence in Church To help answer etiquette questions the Archdiocese has prepared this easy-to-read booklet to answer many frequently asked questions about church etiquette. The booklet includes topics such as entering and leaving church, lighting candles, venerating icons, crossing oneself, socializing, receiving antidoron, children in church, church attire, photography in the church, and much more. When we come to the church and its services we are entering the Kingdom of God on earth, His habitation, and we choose to honor this sacred place by our attentiveness to what is proper and ordered. We have the opportunity to reflect the image of Christ within us by our actions...This guide is meant for personal reflection..." From the introduction page of the Church Etiquette booklet.
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His Beatitude Patriarch John X |
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His Eminence Metropolitan Saba |
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Archimandrite Jeremy, Archiepiscopal Vicar |
To learn more about His Beatitude Patriarch JOHN X and the Patriarchate of Antioch:
Biography on His Beatitude John X, Patriarch of Antioch and All the East
To learn more about His Eminence Metropolitan SABA and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America:
Biography of His Eminence Metropolitan Saba
History of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America
To learn more about Archimandrite Jeremy, Archiepiscopal Vicar of the Toledo & Midwest Diocese:
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"Sometimes called the Eastern Orthodox Church, the Orthodox Church is the first Christian Church, the Church founded by the Lord Jesus Christ and described in the pages of the New Testament. Her history can be traced in unbroken continuity all the way back to Christ and His Twelve Apostles. For twenty centuries, she has continued in her undiminished and unaltered faith and practice. Today her apostolic doctrine, worship, and structure remain intact. The Orthodox Church maintains that the Church is the living Body of Jesus Christ."
Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America.
Saturday is the day which the Church has set aside for the commemoration of faithful Orthodox Christians departed this life in the hope of resurrection to eternal life. Since the Divine Liturgy cannot be served on weekdays during Great Lent, the second, third, and fourth Saturdays of the Fast are…
Hieromartyr Basil was a presbyter in Ancyra, Galatia. Fighting against the Arian heresy, he urged his flock to cling firmly to Orthodoxy. Because of this Saint Basil was deposed from his priestly rank by a local Arian council, but a Council of 230 bishops in Palestine reinstated him. Saint Basil…
The Holy Martyr Drosίs, and five Virgin Martyrs with her: Agalϊda (Αγλαϊδα), Apollinarίa (Ἀπολλιναρία), Daria (Δαρεία), Mamousa (Μαμούσα), and Thaϊs (Θαΐς). Saint Drosίs was the daughter of Emperor Trajan (98-117), a fierce persecutor of Christians. In the…
Saint Isaac, the founder of the Dalmaton Monastery (Μονή Δαλμάτων) at Constantinople, lived during the IV century, in the reign of Emperor Valens (364-378), who was an adherent of the Arian heresy. Saint Isaac was tonsured as a monk when he was young, and through his ascetical…
This holy New Martyr of Christ was born in Demitsana in the Peloponnesos. His parents were Panagiotes and Maria, and he was given the name Eleutherius in Baptism. Eleutherius was the youngest of five children (the others were George, Christos, John, and Katerina). After attending school in…
Saints Basilissa (Βασίλισσα) and Kalliniki (Καλλίνικη) were from Galatia. Since Saint Basilissa was wealthy, she gave money to Saint Kalliniki to go to the prison and distribute it to the Christians who were…
