Etiquette & Protocol
CHURCH GROUNDS
WHEN ARRIVING AT CHURCH
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
ATTIRE
RECEIVING COMMUNION
ANTIDORON (THE BLESSED BREAD)
THE CRY ROOM
HOW TO ADDRESS ORTHODOX CLERGY
CHURCH GROUNDS
CHURCH GROUNDS
- We should respect all church property, including places like the parking lot, the fellowship hall, restrooms, classrooms, and particularly the Narthex (just outside the sanctuary doors) and the Nave (inside the doors). This is God’s house and we should treat it even better than our own.
- When entering the Narthex, we need to refrain from all conversations other than brief greetings.
- We do not run in the Nave of the church.
- Crossing legs in church. Crossing one's legs at the knees is inappropriate in church. It's inappropriate because it gives a message of casualness that is not proper for church. When we enter the House of God, we are entering for a formal purpose of worship and the respect accorded to our surroundings and to God should lead us to sit and stand properly, not causally in Church. Crossing feet at the ankles is fine.
- It is appropriate to wait until we exit the chapel, after receiving antidoron, to have our conversations.
WHEN ARRIVING AT CHURCH
WHEN ARRIVING AT CHURCH
Please do not enter inside the Church but wait in the Narthex (this would be at the back of the Church just inside the inner doors near the candles). There are several parts of the service during which no one should be moving about. Wherever a person happens to be at these moments, he or she should stop and stand reverently, until the proper time to proceed.
These parts of the service are:
One basic rule to follow is that, whenever the Priest is facing the people or outside of the altar, either with the censer or giving the blessing, everyone should stand wherever they are.
Please remember that the Parish Council members and the ushering staff are required to keep order during services, and all should follow their instructions at all times.
Please do not enter inside the Church but wait in the Narthex (this would be at the back of the Church just inside the inner doors near the candles). There are several parts of the service during which no one should be moving about. Wherever a person happens to be at these moments, he or she should stop and stand reverently, until the proper time to proceed.
These parts of the service are:
- When the Priest faces the congregation
- When there is a Procession in progress
- When the Priest is censing
- When the Priest is blessing
- When the Priest and the congregation are kneeling
- When the Holy Gospel or the Epistle is read
- The Cherubic Hymn and the Great Procession of the Priest and Altar Boys with the Holy Gifts
- The recitation of the Nicene Creed (in which the entire congregation should participate)
- The prayers of "Take eat, and…" and the prayers of consecration of the Holy Gifts
- When the Priest is delivering a sermon
- Any special services (memorial services, processions, prayers)
One basic rule to follow is that, whenever the Priest is facing the people or outside of the altar, either with the censer or giving the blessing, everyone should stand wherever they are.
Please remember that the Parish Council members and the ushering staff are required to keep order during services, and all should follow their instructions at all times.
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
MAKING THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
You can and should do your cross any time you wish, but particularly there are certain times during the Liturgy when we all do our cross:
You can and should do your cross any time you wish, but particularly there are certain times during the Liturgy when we all do our cross:
- When entering the Nave (sanctuary).
- Whenever we hear the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
- Whenever we hear the name of the Virgin Mary.
- Whenever we hear the name of our patron saint.
- When we enter the altar area.
- Whenever we cross in front of the altar.
ATTIRE
ATTIRE
When entering the House of God, we should do so formally and with respect and devotion. We are going to a place that is not typical. When we offer something to God, it should always be our best, even in our dress. This does not mean we wear tuxedos and ball-gowns to church. However, it means that we should attempt to wear something special - better than we normally wear - when coming to church. If someone only has a pair of jeans, God bless him! Come as you are! But if you have something a bit more formal, it would be appropriate to wear.
When entering the House of God, we should do so formally and with respect and devotion. We are going to a place that is not typical. When we offer something to God, it should always be our best, even in our dress. This does not mean we wear tuxedos and ball-gowns to church. However, it means that we should attempt to wear something special - better than we normally wear - when coming to church. If someone only has a pair of jeans, God bless him! Come as you are! But if you have something a bit more formal, it would be appropriate to wear.
- Women: dresses are not necessary, especially in winter. Pants may be worn. However, please make sure that skirts come to around the knee and that blouses are neither too tight nor revealing.
- Men: sport coats and suits are appropriate (I know ties are going out of style, though they are nice) but please don't leave a shirt unbuttoned to the mid-chest.
- For boys on Acolyte (Altar) duty, please make sure your hair is combed and if you have a pair of good shoes as opposed to sneakers, wear the good shoes. [Altar Boys Rules of Conduct]
RECEIVING COMMUNION
RECEIVING COMMUNION
- NOTE TO VISITORS: Holy Communion is reserved for Orthodox Christians. Visitors are welcome to receive the Antidoron (Blessed Bread) which is distributed at the end of the Divine Liturgy.
- Please always follow the instructions of the Ushers, who receive their instructions from the priest, so that everyone approaches in an orderly fashion.
- If you are receiving communion, quietly move up the center aisle toward the Priest. Do not come forward with hands in pockets. Refrain from chatting with anyone else in line or in the pews. This should instead be a time of prayer - spiritual preparation at home should have already taken place.
- To receive the Holy Communion, please come and stand in front of the Priest (not sideways). When the Priest calls you forward, you should be prepared, with the "fear of God, faith and love," not with hands in pockets.
If wearing any, please remove all lipstick or lip balm before approaching for communion so that the spoon will not be stained. Give the priest your Baptismal name. - Place a child in your right arm if you need to hold him. Give the priest his Baptismal name.
- The Acolytes (Altar Boys) will hold the corner (not the middle) of the red cloth hanging from the Holy Chalice and set it under your chin, so that no Holy Communion may fall on the floor. Keep your head up (never stoop or kneel when receiving Holy Communion), open your mouth and allow the Priest to put the spoon into your mouth.
After taking communion use the red cloth to dry your lips and then release the cloth.
ANTIDORON (THE BLESSED BREAD)
ANTIDORON (THE BLESSED BREAD)
- When receiving Andithoron from the Priest, we should kiss his hand as we receive it. We should then keep it cupped in our hands until we have eaten it. We put both our hands together in the form of a cross and cup them so that we can catch the crumbs.
- If you see a crumb or piece that has fallen to the floor, you should pick it up, kiss it, and either eat it or place it somewhere people do not step.
- We never throw Andithoron into a trash can; after all, it's not trash, it's blessed bread. If there is leftover Andithoron, it is to be given to the faithful and the crumbs are placed where they may be eaten by the birds.
- Please watch children as they eat their Andithoron so they don't leave it on the pew or other inappropriate places.
THE CRY ROOM
THE CRY ROOM
The Cry Room is located in the south-west rear of the Church and is available for the convenience of parents if the infants or toddlers become restless during the Divine Liturgy. Let us keep in mind that the cry room is also the Church and conversation, if possible, should not take place in order to maintain proper atmosphere conducive to prayer and worship. Thank you for your cooperation!
The Cry Room is located in the south-west rear of the Church and is available for the convenience of parents if the infants or toddlers become restless during the Divine Liturgy. Let us keep in mind that the cry room is also the Church and conversation, if possible, should not take place in order to maintain proper atmosphere conducive to prayer and worship. Thank you for your cooperation!
HOW TO ADDRESS ORTHODOX CLERGY
HOW TO ADDRESS ORTHODOX CLERGY
The Clergy of the Orthodox church are set apart through the Sacrament of Ordination or the "laying-on-of hands" and are divided into three orders:
1. Deacons; 2. Priests; 3. Bishops
An Orthodox priest is either married (usually serving as a parish priest) or celibate, generally belonging to a monastic order (hieromonachos) called "Archimandrite". Bishops are usually chosen from the ranks of the Archimandrites.
An Orthodox bishop, depending on his jurisdiction and rank, may be called Bishop (usually auxiliary to an Archbishop); Metropolitan (head of a large city or a Diocese); Archbishop (head of an Orthodox country or capital city); Patriarch (head of an ancient or ethnic Church). The bishops of the ancient Sees of Rome and Alexandria are also called Popes. Orthodox clergy of all orders wear the cassock (rasso) in public, but when participating in a church service wear the vestment of their own order and rank. In some Balkan countries (including Greece) they also wear a black cylinder-like hat (kalimafi) on top of which the celibates (except deacons) wear a black veil dropping down the back (Epanokalimafkon). An explanation of Orthodox clerical dress is available online at: http://www.patriarchate.org/visit/vestments
The form of address for Orthodox clergy varies according to order, rank, and level of education. For more information, please visit the Archdiocese website at this link.
The Clergy of the Orthodox church are set apart through the Sacrament of Ordination or the "laying-on-of hands" and are divided into three orders:
1. Deacons; 2. Priests; 3. Bishops
An Orthodox priest is either married (usually serving as a parish priest) or celibate, generally belonging to a monastic order (hieromonachos) called "Archimandrite". Bishops are usually chosen from the ranks of the Archimandrites.
An Orthodox bishop, depending on his jurisdiction and rank, may be called Bishop (usually auxiliary to an Archbishop); Metropolitan (head of a large city or a Diocese); Archbishop (head of an Orthodox country or capital city); Patriarch (head of an ancient or ethnic Church). The bishops of the ancient Sees of Rome and Alexandria are also called Popes. Orthodox clergy of all orders wear the cassock (rasso) in public, but when participating in a church service wear the vestment of their own order and rank. In some Balkan countries (including Greece) they also wear a black cylinder-like hat (kalimafi) on top of which the celibates (except deacons) wear a black veil dropping down the back (Epanokalimafkon). An explanation of Orthodox clerical dress is available online at: http://www.patriarchate.org/visit/vestments
The form of address for Orthodox clergy varies according to order, rank, and level of education. For more information, please visit the Archdiocese website at this link.