The Eastern Cross/Guides/Your first Divine Liturgy
A guide for first-time visitors
What to expect at your first Divine Liturgy
Walking into an Orthodox church for the first time can feel like stepping into another world. Here's what happens, what everything is, and how to feel at home.
I · Getting ready
Before you go
The Divine Liturgy is the main service of the Orthodox Church, celebrated every Sunday morning and on feast days. It bears the name of St. John Chrysostom, archbishop of Constantinople around the year 400, and Orthodox Christians all over the world pray the same service week after week. On the Sundays of Great Lent and a few great feasts, the longer Liturgy of St. Basil is served instead, with the same shape.
- Find a parish and check the timeMost parishes have a website with service times. In the United States, the Assembly of Bishops parish directory lists Greek, Antiochian, OCA, Serbian, Romanian, Ukrainian and other parishes in one place. In Canada and elsewhere, a search for "Orthodox church near me" works well. Sunday Liturgy usually starts between 9 and 10:30 AM.
- Come early, or come on timeAnother service (Matins or the Hours) often comes first, so the church may already be busy when you arrive. That's normal. Coming in ten minutes before the Liturgy gives you time to settle.
- Dress as you would for something importantModest and tidy works everywhere: no shorts or very short skirts, and covered shoulders. Men take off their hats. In Russian and other Slavic parishes many women wear a headscarf and a skirt, and visitors are welcome to, though nobody will turn you away without one.
- Bring nothingNo Bible, no book needed. Many parishes have service books in the pews or by the door, but most first-timers find it easier to simply watch and listen.
- Say helloIf you can, tell someone at the door it's your first time. People are usually delighted, and someone will often offer to stand with you and explain things.
II · The building
Inside an Orthodox church
An Orthodox church is built as an image of heaven on earth, and every part has a purpose. Tap a number to see what it is.
III · Following along
The service, step by step
The Liturgy has two halves. The first centres on the Word of God: hymns, prayers and the readings. The second is the Eucharist itself. Tap any moment to see what's happening. Times are rough, since every parish moves at its own pace.
Before the Liturgy
- before
Matins or the HoursPeople arrive, light candles and pray
In many parishes another service comes first: Matins (Orthros) in Greek and Antiochian parishes, the Third and Sixth Hours in Slavic ones. People come in, light candles and kiss the icons. The priest has already prepared the bread and wine in a quiet service at the side of the altar called the Proskomedia.
Light a candleFind a spot I · The Liturgy of the Word
- 0:00
"Blessed is the Kingdom"The Liturgy begins
“Blessed is the Kingdom of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. Amen.”
The priest lifts the Gospel book and makes the sign of the cross with it over the Holy Table. The service opens by proclaiming the Kingdom of God, which the whole Liturgy makes present.
StandCross yourself - 0:02
The Great LitanyPrayers for the whole world
“In peace let us pray to the Lord. Lord, have mercy.”
The deacon or priest leads a long series of prayers: for peace, for the Church, for the country, for travellers, the sick and the suffering. The people answer each one with "Lord, have mercy."
StandListen - 0:07
The AntiphonsPsalms and an ancient hymn to Christ
“Only-begotten Son and Word of God, who art immortal, yet didst deign for our salvation to be incarnate…”
Verses of the Psalms are sung back and forth between the chanters, with the hymn "Only-begotten Son", a confession of faith in the Incarnation that has been sung here since the 500s.
Stand - 0:12
The Little EntranceThe Gospel book is carried out
“Wisdom! Arise! … Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.”
The clergy carry the Gospel book out through a side door and back in through the Royal Doors: Christ coming among His people to teach. The hymns of the day follow, and then the Trisagion, "Holy God", sung three times or more (on a few great feasts another hymn takes its place).
StandBow as the Gospel passes - 0:18
The EpistleA reading from the Apostles
“Wisdom! Let us attend!”
A reader chants a passage from the Epistles or the Acts of the Apostles, set for that day of the year.
Stand, or sit where the parish sits - 0:22
The GospelThe high point of the first half
“Wisdom! Arise! Let us hear the holy Gospel. … Glory to Thee, O Lord, glory to Thee.”
After the Alleluia, the priest or deacon reads the Gospel of the day from the ambo, in front of the Royal Doors. Everyone stands still and quiet for it.
Stand stillBow your head - 0:27
The HomilyThe sermon
The priest preaches on the readings. Some parishes hold the sermon at the end of the Liturgy instead.
Sit if there are seats - 0:40
Litanies and the catechumensPrayers for the living, the departed and those preparing for baptism
“Catechumens, bow your heads unto the Lord.”
More prayers follow, often with the names of the sick and the departed, and a prayer for the catechumens. In the early Church catechumens left at this point; today everyone stays.
Stand II · The Liturgy of the Faithful
- 0:45
The Cherubic Hymn and the Great EntranceThe bread and wine are carried in procession
“Let us who mystically represent the Cherubim … now lay aside all earthly cares.”
The choir sings slowly while the priest censes the church. Then the clergy carry the bread and wine through the church to the altar, praying for the bishops, the country and everyone present. It is one of the most solemn moments of the service.
Stand stillBow as the gifts pass - 0:52
The Kiss of Peace and the CreedOne faith, confessed together
“The doors! The doors! In wisdom let us attend! … I believe in one God, the Father Almighty…”
The priest calls the faithful to love one another, and then the Nicene Creed is said or sung, often by the whole congregation. The clergy greet each other with "Christ is in our midst." "He is and ever shall be." In some parishes the people do the same.
StandSay the Creed if you wish - 0:55
The AnaphoraThe great prayer of thanksgiving
“Let us lift up our hearts. We lift them up unto the Lord. … Holy, holy, holy, Lord of Sabaoth…”
This is the heart of the Liturgy. The priest gives thanks to God for everything He has done, repeats Christ's words from the Last Supper, and calls down the Holy Spirit on the bread and wine, which become the Body and Blood of Christ. Some people kneel or bow to the ground here, and standing quietly is fine too. A hymn to the Theotokos follows, "It is truly meet."
Stand stillBow - 1:05
The Lord's PrayerEveryone prays together
“Our Father, who art in heaven…”
The whole church sings or says the Our Father together, the prayer Christ taught His disciples.
StandJoin in - 1:08
Holy CommunionThe faithful receive the Body and Blood of Christ
“The holy things for the holy. … With fear of God, with faith and with love, draw near.”
The priest comes out with the chalice, and the faithful come forward with their arms crossed over the chest to receive Communion from a spoon. Orthodox Christians prepare for it by prayer, fasting and confession.
Stay in your placePray quietly - 1:18
Thanksgiving and dismissalSent out into the world
“Let us depart in peace. In the name of the Lord.”
Short prayers of thanksgiving close the Liturgy, and the priest gives the final blessing, naming the saint of the day and the saint of the church.
Stand - 1:22
The cross and the blessed breadEveryone comes forward
People line up to kiss the hand cross the priest holds and take a piece of antidoron, the blessed bread. In most parishes visitors are welcome to come up too, so follow the people around you. Then it's coffee hour.
Come forwardTake one piece
Read this before you go rather than during the service. Phones stay in pockets in church, and you'll enjoy it more by simply watching.
IV · Etiquette
The unwritten rules
None of these are tests. Orthodox people are used to visitors, and nobody expects you to know the customs. Still, a few things will help you feel at ease.
V · Listening
Words you'll hear
Many parishes mix English with Greek, Arabic or Church Slavonic, so these words come up in almost any Orthodox church.
Want the rest? The Orthodox glossary has all 154 words, with the Greek and how to say each one. New to all of this? Start with How to become Orthodox for the bigger picture.
VI · One faith, many accents
Greek, Russian, Antiochian: what changes
Every Orthodox parish shares one faith and celebrates the same Liturgy. What changes from place to place is the language, the music and a few customs.
Greek parishes
and many Antiochian parishes
- Pews are common, and people sit at set moments
- Byzantine chant, in Greek, Arabic and English
- Matins (Orthros) is served right before the Liturgy
Russian and Slavic parishes
ROCOR, Serbian, Ukrainian, Bulgarian and others
- Often few or no pews: people stand, with benches along the walls
- Choral singing in Church Slavonic and English
- Many women cover their heads, and in some parishes men stand on the right and women on the left
OCA and English-language parishes
and many convert communities
- Services mostly or entirely in English
- A mix of Russian and Byzantine musical traditions
- A good fit if you'd like everything in English
VII · Questions
Questions
Can I take Communion at an Orthodox church if I'm not Orthodox?
Holy Communion is received by Orthodox Christians who have prepared for it with prayer, fasting and confession. It expresses full membership in the Church, so visitors stay in their place and pray. In most parishes visitors are welcome to take the blessed bread (antidoron) at the end of the service. If you are Orthodox and visiting a new parish, introduce yourself to the priest before the service so he knows to expect you at the chalice.
How long is the Divine Liturgy?
Usually about 75 to 90 minutes on a Sunday. Many parishes serve Matins or the Hours just before, which adds up to an hour, and feast days can run longer. Nobody minds if you arrive for the Liturgy itself.
What should I wear to an Orthodox church?
Modest, tidy clothes, as for any important occasion: no shorts, very short skirts or bare shoulders, and men take off their hats. In Russian and other Slavic parishes many women cover their heads, and visitors are welcome to do the same.
Is it okay to arrive late?
Yes. It happens every Sunday. Come in quietly, stand near the back, and wait until the readings or the Great Entrance are over before you move to a spot or light a candle.
Will I understand the language?
Many parishes in North America serve mostly in English, especially OCA and Antiochian ones. Others mix English with Greek, Arabic or Church Slavonic. The parish website usually says which languages are used.
Can I bring my children?
Absolutely. Children are a normal part of every Orthodox Liturgy, from babies up. If a little one gets restless, step out to the narthex for a moment and come back.
Do I have to cross myself or kiss the icons?
No. You are welcome to simply watch and pray in your own words. If you'd like to join in, crossing yourself and kissing an icon are both fine for visitors.
Why do Orthodox Christians stand during the service?
Standing is the ancient Christian posture of prayer and of the Resurrection, and the Council of Nicaea in 325 asked Christians to pray standing on Sundays. Many people still kneel or bow to the ground at the most solemn moment of the Liturgy. Seats are there for anyone who needs them, and sitting when you're tired is perfectly fine.
VIII · Sources
Sources and further reading
Where this page’s description of the service and the customs comes from.
The Divine Liturgy
- Thomas Hopko, The Orthodox Faith, vol. II: Worship (OCA): The Divine Liturgy, Small Entrance, Great Entrance, AnaphoraThe order of the service and the meaning of each part
- Michel Najim and T. L. Frazier, Understanding the Divine LiturgyA guide to participating in the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom, part by part
- The Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom (parish service book, St. Silouan the Athonite)The words quoted in the step-by-step guide
Visiting a parish
- Frederica Mathewes-Green, “12 Things I Wish I’d Known: First Visit to an Orthodox Church”Standing, crossing oneself, kissing icons, the blessed bread and the three doors
- “Church Etiquette”, Holy Cross Orthodox ChurchVenerating icons, candles, sitting, Communion and the antidoron
- “Information for Non-Orthodox Guests”, St. George Greek Orthodox CathedralArriving while services are underway, candles, dress and coffee hour
- Parish directory, Assembly of Canonical Orthodox Bishops of the USAFinding a parish near you
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