What to Expect on Your First Visit to St. Stephen’s Orthodox Church

Welcome!
When you enter the church, you can pick up a copy of the Divine Liturgy service to follow along if you’d like. Orthodox Christians light candles, which stand for their prayers for friends and loved ones. You may also light a candle if you wish. The main part of the church where the service takes place is called the nave. Orthodox Christians usually venerate the icons at the front of the nave when they enter, but you are not required to do so.

You might want to stand closer to the front during the service so that you can see what is happening. According to the custom of many ancient Orthodox churches, St. Stephen’s does not have pews. This allows you to participate fully in the service by crossing yourself, bowing, and moving about the nave as it is censed. If you prefer, you can sit in one of the chairs placed along the church’s perimeter.

Feel free to observe or participate as you feel comfortable. Typically, catechumens who intend to join the Orthodox faith come forward shortly after the sermon to receive the priest’s blessing and then are dismissed to attend catechism classes. Visitors are welcome to attend the class with the catechumens. However, you are more than welcome to stay for the entire service to fully experience the Divine Liturgy.

The Holy Eucharist (Communion) is reserved for those who have been baptized and/or chrismated into the Orthodox Christian faith. However, at the end of the service, everyone is welcome to venerate the cross held by the priest and receive a piece of blessed bread.

We kindly ask that women and men dress modestly (i.e., no shorts or short skirts). This dress code shows respect for the sacredness of the church and the service.

We invite you to stay for our fellowship/coffee hour to meet us and learn more about the Orthodox Christian faith!

Thank you for visiting us!