Visiting

[ttreg]

Hello :wave: I was thinking about visiting a local greek orthodox church soon. Anything to expect?

[Asinner]

Hello :wave: I was thinking about visiting a local greek orthodox church soon. Anything to expect?

http://www.frederica.com/12-things/

I hope this links answers some questions. :)

God Bless

[ttreg]

awhile ago i think i read something about how some people shouldnt go to the mass for some reason.......idk should i go like i said im not sure its a fuzzy memory and i think it was posted by a catholic

[Jacob4707]

Hello :wave: I was thinking about visiting a local greek orthodox church soon. Anything to expect?

Your profile says you're Seventh-Day Adventist, so if this will be your first exposure to the Divine Liturgy, you can expect:

1. Shock and Awe

2. Good food at the "coffee" hour afterwards

[Orthosdoxa]

Hi TT... :wave:

that link should be helpful. I don't know about Catholic Mass or what was posted, but I do know you are very welcome at any Orthodox Divine Liturgy.

Please ask us any questions you may have.


LK

[ttreg]

I was thinking about going to this one: http://www.stmarkella.org/ can someone explain to me what the orthos and all of that means?lol thanks

[eoe]

Orthros, Matins and Vespers are non-communal services, that is we do not partake of the sacraments in those services. Ortros and Matins typically (I think) happen right before the Liturgy so if you go to one of those you will basicly have one mega service as there is no break in between. Some people suggest that a first timer attend a Vespers service as they are a bit shorter and easier to follow. I say - go at the first possible opportunity whatever that might be.

Wear comfortable shoes, don't worry about what anyone else is doing and try to focus on what is happening up front. If you have questions either ask the priest afterwards if he has time or you can ask us.

(just looked at the website - catechism = Sunday School)

[eoe]

Just noticed that the Priest there is an Archimandrite. You should be able to get some good info from him (not that any other priest would not but still......)

[ttreg]

Archimandrite?

[eoe]

The title Archimandrite (Greek (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greek_%28language%29): ἀρχιμανδρίτης - archimandrites), primarily used in the Eastern Orthodox Church (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eastern_Orthodox_Church), refers to a superior (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Superior) abbot who is appointed by a bishop (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bishop) to supervise several 'ordinary' abbots (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abbot) (styled hegumenos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegumenos)) and monasteries (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Monasteries), or to the abbot of some specially great and important monastery.
The term derives from the Greek: the first element from ἀρχι archi- meaning "highest" or from archon "ruler"; and the second root from μάνδρα mandra meaning "enclosure" or "pen" and denoting a "monastery" (compare the usage of "flock" for "congregation").
The title has seen common use since the 5th century (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/5th_century), but occurs for the first time in a letter to Epiphanius (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Epiphanius_of_Salamis), prefixed to his Panarion | Panarium (ca. 375), but the Lausiac History of Palladius (http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Palladius_of_Galatia&action=edit) may evidence its common use in the 4th century as applied to Saint Pachomius (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pachomius).
When the supervision of monasteries passed to another episcopal official — the Great Sakellarios (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sakellarios) ("sacristan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacristan)") — the title of "archimandrite" became a honorary one for abbots of important monasteries (as opposed to an ordinary abbot, a hegumenos (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hegumenos)).

[DonVA]

http://www.frederica.com/12-things/

I hope this links answers some questions. :)

God Bless
It took us a whole 9 minutes to refer this link? :D

Must be the heat! ;)

[ufonium2]

I must be the only Orthodox person in the world who doesn't like that list of 12 things. I think it makes too many assumptions about what you're used to, or what's gonna bother you. I guess some people are genuinely shocked that Christians the whole world over don't do things exactly like them, but I doubt they represent the majority of visitors. Then again, I come from snake-handling country, so hardly anything could go on in a church service that would surprise me.

[Oblio]

Mebbe' we need a TAW 12 thingums to know list :)

[ttreg]

ive read the link and.......lol idk once i get there i wouldnt know what to do

[choirfiend]

Just look around to see if there is a greeter or someone running the candlestand or something. Tell them you're visiting, and ask them to help you find a seat and a service book. I know that must be scary, to walk up to a stranger and ask, but I'm sure they'll be friendly. Then just take a seat and observe. If you find it hard to follow along in the book, just set it aside and listen. Hopefully it will be at least half in English (since it's a Greek church, they may have some Greek-speaking members, so they will probably do at least part of the service in Greek). Don't worry about anything else--just go, listen, and enjoy!

[eoe]

I would suggest not even attempting to follow the book. Just sit and soak. After you get home and relax then take a little while and read over the liturgy. Attempting to follow along in the book the first time will dramatically reduce your ability to take it all in. Simply my opinion...

[DonVA]

I would suggest not even attempting to follow the book. Just sit and soak. After you get home and relax then take a little while and read over the liturgy. Attempting to follow along in the book the first time will dramatically reduce your ability to take it all in. Simply my opinion...
Good advice, EOE. Sit back and observe. It's ok. No one is there to judge. In fact, I'd suggest going to the coffee hour afterward to speak with other parishoners who will be happy to answer any questions you might have about the service.

There truly is too much to experience to have your nose stuck in a book trying to follow along. That can happen later.