Many first time visitors have questions about what to expect when attending services at a new church. To help answer some of these 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.

"This booklet lists everything parishioners need to know about respectful and reverent behavior while in Liturgy...The Holy Orthodox Church is perhaps one of the last social institutions where dignity, protocol, respect and reverence are maintained.  This is primarly because 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.

A Guide to Church Etiquette: How to Show Proper Respect and Reverence in Church (web based link)

A Guide to Church Etiquette: How to Show Proper Respect and Reverance in Church (PDF)

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 Joseph and the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America

Biography on His Eminence Metropolitan Joseph

History of the Archdiocese

To learn more about His Grace Bishop Anthony of the Toledo & Midwest Diocese:

Biography of His Grace Bishop Anthony

Diocese of Toledo & the Midwest