Orthodox Worship & Services
The focal point of worship in Orthodoxy is the Eucharist, or Communion offered in the Divine Liturgy service every Sunday and on religious holidays, with special emphasis on the Paschal (Easter) and Pan-Orthodox services. All traditional worship is conducted in both Greek and English, preserving the ancient form while allowing deeper understanding. Visitors are encouraged to attend, but only Baptized Orthodox Christians in good standing may receive the sacraments. Worship services are conducted regularly with their purpose and schedule as follows:
Divine Liturgy
10:00 a.m. (or 7:00 p.m., midnight on Easter) every Sunday morning and Holidays
Ancient Eucharistic Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom, St. Basil, St. James or Pre-Sanctified. Festal weekday Liturgies are celebrated alternately in the morning or evening, and scheduled according to the traditional calendar of the Church. Check with the office for posted times. Only baptized Orthodox Christians in good standing may receive holy Communion. Orthodox faithful are expected to commune and attend Sunday Liturgy regularly.
Baptism/Christmation
The initiation into the faith, Orthodox Baptism requires full immersion in water in the name of the Trinity as required by scripture. Baptism and Chrismation are available to anyone at any age, including infants over 40 days. An orthodox sponsor (in good standing) is required to be baptized or confirmed. All candidates are required to attend catechism. Arrangements must be made with the priest at least one month in advance. Baptisms may not be conducted during Holy Week, on Major Feast days or from December 25 through January 6.
Marriage
Weddings are blessed in the Church, solemnizing marriage by the hand of God. An orthodox sponsor (in good standing) is required, as well as a witness. All couples are required to attend pre-marital counseling with the priest. Arrangements must made with the priest at least one month in advance. Marriages are not conducted during Great Lent or Holy Week, on the eves or Feastdays of our Lord, or on the following dates: January 5-6, August 1-15 and 29, September 14 or December 13-25.
Marriage Requirements:
- Episcopal permission must be acquired at least one month in advance.
- Civil marriage license must be obtained and brought to the wedding.
- Marriage must be conducted by an Orthodox priest in an Orthodox Church according to Orthodox Liturgical tradition.
- Bride & Groom must provide documentation showing they are unmarried.
- Either the Bride or Groom and the Sponsor must be members in good standing of an Orthodox parish.
- Orthodox marriage will not be permitted if either party is not a Christian baptized in the name of the Trinity.
- The couple must not be related, even through Orthodox sponsorship.
- Divorcees must obtain an ecclesiastic divorce well in advance.
- No individual may marry more than three times in the Church.
Fasting
Prayer and Fasting is a strict Apostolic practice of all Christians in order to grow in faith. On fast days, prayer is increased and food is decreased. Each person is required to fast according to his own strength after having consulted with the priest. In decreasing order of severity and depending on what level your priest recommends, foods to be fasted from are: Meat, Poultry, Eggs, Dairy, Fish, Oil and Wine. Fast days are as follows:
- The day before Epiphany - January 5
- Great Lent
- Holy Week
- Holy Apostles Fast - June 20 through 30
- Monday after Pentecost
- Dormition Fast - August 1 through 15
- Beheading of John the Baptist - August 29
- Holy Cross - September 14
- Advent - November 14 through December 24
- Every Wednesday and Friday (in memory of the Betrayal and Crucifixion)
With equal severity as the fasts, the Church proclaims feast days when fasting is strictly prohibited. These fast-free days are:
- First week of Triodion, including Wednesday and Friday
- Bright Week (after Holy Week)
- Week following Pentecost
- December 25 through January 4
- Every Saturday and Sunday except Holy Saturday (in honor of the Resurrection)
Funeral
Christian burial is a sacred and loving final passage, and the Church encourages a full funeral service in the Church for all its deceased members. Arrangements are made with the priest through the funeral home of choice. Funerals may not be conducted on Sundays. Funerals are not permitted in the case of cremation or suicide without extenuating circumstances and special permission by the Bishop. Autopsy and donation of organs is permitted.
Memorial
"Now he is not God of the dead, but of the living; for all live to him." (Luke 20:38) Scripture reminds us that our Christian family is an eternal family, beyond time. Orthodox tradition requires times of memorial with koliva (boiled wheat), and prayer 40 days after a loved one’s death and on each anniversary. Special days are reserved for memorials at Church or the cemetery, such as the Saturday of souls services at the beginning of lent and before Pentecost, and also Memorial Day. Memorials may not be conducted on Feast Days of our Lord, from the Saturday of Lazaros through the Sunday of Thomas, or on August 15.