FAQ

Icons depict various people and events in the lives of the saints or Christ. They have been used in the Church from very early on to remember and honor important people in Church history. People kiss the icons to venerate them, but our theology teaches that the honor given to them passes to the saint depicted. They are venerated, but never worshiped, as worship is given to God alone.

The Liturgy means “the work of the people”. The priest is leading the service, but the people are actively participating in it with the priest. We are all facing the same direction worshiping together. It should not be seen as a priest standing on stage and performing for an audience, which may be the impression people get when a priest is facing towards them. All people are encouraged to sing the parts they know and to say all of the people’s parts. The white liturgy books in the pews will show which parts are to be said by the priest and which parts are to be said by the people.

The use of incense is a continuation of its usage since Old Testament times in the Temple. The rising smoke symbolizes our prayers rising to God, and the scent indicates that it is sweet and pleasing to Him.

For the most part, just observe what other people are doing and learn to do those things. The exception to this is receiving the Eucharist, or communion, towards the end of the service. This should only be received by those already baptized and chrismated in the Orthodox Church. At this time a visitor can either stay in the pew, or come up and say “father, bless” to let the priest know that only a blessing should be given. If you do come up for a blessing, feel free to grab a piece of blessed bread, called “antidoron”, which means “instead of the gifts”. This is also given out at the very end.

No, the name “Greek Orthodox” can cause confusion in this regard. The name “Greek Orthodox” is synonymous with “Eastern Orthodox” and refers to the portion of the Church, largely in the eastern and Greek speaking part of the empire, which remained with one of the Patriarchs other than the Roman Patriarch, or Pope. Those who stayed with the Pope became known as Roman Catholic, while those who stayed with the other Patriarchs became known as Eastern Orthodox or Roman Orthodox. Just as one does not need to be Italian to be Catholic, one does not need to be Greek to be Orthodox. For more information, CLICK HERE.

To become Orthodox, the first step is to start attending an Orthodox Church. The faith is primarily lived and experienced, not read about. Here we have Orthodoxy 101 after the liturgy on most Sundays, where interested people learn more about the faith over a period of time until they are prepared for baptism or chrismation, at which point they become full members.