Your First Visit to an Orthodox Church

You have decided to come on Sunday. Maybe you have been reading about Orthodox Christianity for months and you are finally ready to walk in. Maybe a friend invited you. Maybe you are simply curious. Whatever brought you to this point, this page tells you exactly what to expect so you can step through the door with confidence.

We will not spring anything on you. Orthodox liturgy is unfamiliar to most Americans, but it is not strange or hidden. The form has been substantially the same for over a thousand years, and people walk into it for the first time every week.

Before You Come

What to wear. Modest and respectful. Most parishioners dress in nicer church attire, similar to a traditional Catholic or Protestant Sunday service. Slacks and a button shirt for men, a dress or skirt or modest pants for women. Some women cover their heads with a scarf, but it is not required and you will not stand out if you do not. Children can be dressed in normal church clothes. We are not strict on dress code, but the more reverently you dress, the more comfortable you will feel.

When to arrive. Sunday Divine Liturgy starts at 10:00 AM. We recommend arriving by 9:45 AM if it is your first visit. This gives you time to find parking (free, on-site), enter quietly, find a place to stand or sit, and orient yourself before the service begins. The hours and confessions begin at 9:30 AM, and you are welcome to come for those, but most first-time visitors come for the Liturgy itself.

Where to park. The parking lot is on-site. Free, no permits, no meter. Pull in, park anywhere.

What to bring. Yourself. Children if you have them. A non-Orthodox spouse or friend is also welcome.

When You Walk In

You enter the narthex, the small entryway between the outside world and the temple proper. There is a table with candles and a small offering box. If you wish, you may take a candle, light it from the existing candle flames, and place it in the sand-filled stand in front of an icon. This is a traditional act of prayer; you do not have to do it, and there is no minimum offering for a candle.

Beyond the narthex is the nave, the main worship space. Walk in quietly. There are pews along the sides and back; you may sit or stand. Tradition is to stand for as much of the service as you can manage, but Orthodox in America have always made allowances for those who need to sit. Use the pews as needed.

Near the front you will see icons (sacred images of Christ, the Mother of God, and the saints). Many Orthodox approach the icons before the service to pray briefly and venerate them with a kiss or a bow. As a visitor, you do not need to do this. Watch what others do, and follow if you wish.

The sanctuary, the area beyond the iconostasis (the screen with icons separating the nave from the altar), is the priest’s workspace. Visitors do not enter the sanctuary.

Find a place to sit or stand. The right side and left side of the nave are both fine; some churches separate by gender (men right, women left) by tradition, but at St. Michael it is not enforced.

During the Liturgy

The Divine Liturgy lasts roughly 90 minutes. It is not a sermon-centered service like most Protestant worship. It is a sustained prayer, with the priest, deacon, and choir leading the congregation through a structured sequence of hymns, readings, prayers, and the central act of receiving Holy Communion.

You will hear:

• Litanies, which are sequences of prayer petitions. The choir or congregation responds with “Lord have mercy” or “Grant it, O Lord.”
• Hymns and chants sung by the choir, with parishioners joining where they know the music. Bilingual at our parish, with portions in English and portions in Ukrainian.
• Readings from the Bible, including a passage from the New Testament Epistles and a passage from the Gospels. Both are read aloud in English (and sometimes also in Ukrainian).
• A homily (sermon) by Fr. Stephen, typically 10 to 15 minutes, in English. He will reflect on the day’s readings and feast.
• The Anaphora, the central prayer of the Liturgy where the bread and wine are consecrated to become the Body and Blood of Christ. This is the moment of greatest reverence.
• Holy Communion, when Orthodox parishioners come forward to receive.
• Closing prayers and the dismissal.

You may stand for as much as you comfortably can, particularly during the Anaphora and the Communion. Sit when you need to. There is no judgment.

What to Do at Communion

When the time comes for Holy Communion, parishioners will form a line down the center aisle. The priest stands in front, holding the chalice. Each communicant approaches with crossed arms over the chest, says their baptismal name, and receives a small piece of bread soaked in wine on a spoon, along with a brief prayer.

As a non-Orthodox visitor, please do not approach for Communion. This is not exclusion. It is the Orthodox understanding that the Eucharist expresses full unity of faith and life with the Church, and that unity has not yet been formally established between you and the Orthodox Church. We hope it will be one day.

What you can do: when Communion ends, the priest will offer antidoron, blessed bread that has been blessed but not consecrated. This is offered to everyone in the church, Orthodox and non-Orthodox alike. Approach the priest, receive the bread in your hands, eat it, and return to your place. This is a sign of welcome and shared blessing, even when full Communion is not yet possible.

You can read more on our Holy Communion guidelines page.

After the Service

The Liturgy ends with a final blessing. Parishioners typically come forward to receive a blessing from the priest and to venerate the cross.

After the dismissal, most of the parish moves to the parish hall for coffee hour, a casual time of food, conversation, and fellowship. As a visitor, please come. This is where you will meet people, ask questions, and be welcomed by name. Fr. Stephen typically circulates and talks with newcomers personally. Please introduce yourself.

Coffee hour usually lasts 45 minutes to an hour. There is no obligation to stay the whole time, and no obligation to make a donation, though the offering basket is on a table for those who wish to support the parish.

Common Questions

“Do I have to fast before coming?” No. Communicants traditionally fast from food and drink from midnight before receiving Holy Communion, but as a non-communicating visitor you have no fasting obligation.

“Can I take pictures?” No flash photography during the service. Some parishes permit non-flash photos before or after; ask Fr. Stephen for guidance. Live-streaming and recording during the Liturgy are not appropriate.

“What if my children are loud or fussy?” Children are welcome. Orthodox liturgy is meant to be lived in by families. If a child becomes disruptive, the narthex (entry area) is a good place to step out and let them settle. No one will judge you for taking a child out, and we do not have a separate “children’s church.”

“Do I have to say anything?” No. You can be entirely silent for the whole service if you prefer. Following along quietly is a perfectly normal way to first experience the Liturgy.

“What if I do not understand the Ukrainian portions?” That is fine. The English portions are substantial, and even when the choir or priest sings in Ukrainian, the Liturgy’s structure is consistent enough that you will follow along. Many parishioners do not fully understand every Ukrainian phrase either; the meaning is in the prayer, not the comprehension.

Plan Your Visit

Sunday Divine Liturgy: 10:00 AM (arrive 9:45 AM if first visit). Hours and confessions: 9:30 AM. Coffee hour after.

Address: 9201 60th St, Pinellas Park, FL 33782.

Phone: 727-777-4450 if you have questions before coming.

We will see you Sunday. Christ is in our midst.