Visiting the church

How to enter the church

An Orthodox Church has its own church etiquette, as with any other church. The rules of the Orthodox Church were set over many centuries and because of this, it is good to follow them.

When one is passing an Orthodox Church, one needs to cross oneself out of respect to the presence of God therein.

Preparing for church includes thinking of dress. Men wear a suit and tie. Their shirts need to be buttoned to the neck. Women wear dresses or skirts and always cover their heads. Tight clothing, sleeveless tops and T-shirts are not appropriate for Christians. Anything which would draw attention to yourself should be avoid.

Arrive for church service a few minutes before the service. It will allow some time to prepare and clear the mind. On entering the church reverence is paid to the central icon: make the Sign of the Cross twice, bending over and touching the ground with the right hand or falling to the knees and lowering the head near the ground. However no prostrations or kneeling take place in church after Saturday Vespers as Sunday is the day of Resurrection. After this, one kisses the icon (preferably on the Saint’s right hand, if the Saint is blessing) and crosses themselves a third time and makes a final bow or prostration. Women avoid wearing lipstick so as not to deface the icon.

The icons on iconostas (the altar screen in front of the church) should be reverenced by the Bishop or the serving clergy, not the faithful or others in attendance at the service.

One lights a candle, which can be bought at the church, before an icon. In special need or wish to remember someone prayerfully, one makes it known to God by lighting a candle.

After paying reverence to the icon in the centre of the church and lighting a candle, one assumes their place in the church: men at the right, women at the left facing the altar and keeping hands at the sides.