THE SERBIAN ORTHODOX CHURCH
THE ORTHODOX CHURCH IS A UNIQUE SPACE WHERE CONVENTION AND REVERENCE ARE PARAMOUNT. ENTERING THE CHURCH SIGNIFIES ENTERING THE KINGDOM OF GOD ON EARTH, A SACRED SPACE DESERVING OF RESPECT. BY ATTENDING SERVICES WITH PROPER DECORUM, WE REFLECT THE IMAGE OF CHRIST AND HONOUR THE SACREDNESS OF THE OCCASION.
ENTERING THE CHURCH
WHEN ENTERING AN ORTHODOX CHURCH, IT IS IMPORTANT TO DO SO QUIETLY, MAINTAINING A SENSE OF RESPECT FOR THE SACRED SPACE. IF YOU ARRIVE LATE, YOU CAN STAY IN THE NARTHEX OR THE BACK OF THE CHURCH UNTIL THERE IS A TIME YOU CAN ENTER QUIETLY WITHOUT DISRUPTING THE CEREMONY.
STANDING IN CHURCH
THE ORTHODOX TRADITION ENCOURAGES STANDING DURING SERVICES. LIMITED SEATING IS AVAILABLE AND SHOULD BE RESERVED FOR OUR ELDERS AND THOSE WITH PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS. TRADITIONALLY MEN STAND ON THE RIGHT SIDE AND WOMEN STAND ON THE LEFT SIDE OF THE CHURCH, THOUGH THIS IS NOT A STRICT REQUIREMENT.
LIGHTING OF CANDLES
IT IS AN ORTHODOX TRADITION TO LIGHT CANDLES FOR THE PERSONAL PETITIONS WHEN ENTERING THE CHURCH. THESE CANDLES SYMBOLIZE OUR PRAYERS RISING TO HEAVEN AND THE LIGHT OF CHRIST IN OUR MIDST.
VENERATING THE ICONS
THE VENERATION OF HOLY ICONS IS AN IMPORTANT PART OF ORTHODOX WORSHIP. THE ACCEPTABLE WAY TO DO THIS IS TO CROSS YOURSELF, THEN KISS EITHER THE HANDS OR FEET OF THE SAINT DEPICTED IN THE ICON, OR THE SCROLL, THE GOSPEL BOOK, OR THE HAND CROSS THE SAINT IS HOLDING.
THE CHOIR
THE CHOIR PLAYS AN INTEGRAL ROLE IN THE SERVICE. THROUGH THEIR SINGING AND CHANTING, THEY LEAD THE LITURGICAL RESPONSES, HYMNS AND PRAYERS, ELEVATING THE SPIRITUAL ATMOSPHERE OF THE SERVICE. THEIR PARTICIPATION IS NOT MERELY MUSICAL ACCOMPANIMENT BUT AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE WORKSHIP,
WHAT TO WEAR
WHEN PREPARING TO GO TO CHURCH, WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT WE WILL BE ENTERING THE HOUSE OF GOD. WOMEN ARE ENCOURAGED TO WEAR CLOTHING THAT COVERS THE SHOULDERS, AND SKIRTS OR DRESSES THAT COVER THE KNEES. MEN ARE REQUIRED TO WEAR FULL LENGTH PANTS.
LANGUAGES
THE WEDDING CEREMONY WILL BE CONDUCTED IN BOTH SERBIAN AND ENGLISH, ENSURING THAT EVERYONE CAN FOLLOW THE RICH TRADITIONS AND SYMBOLISM OF EVERY PART OF THE CEREMONY.
OTHER INFORMATION
- CLAPPING IS CONSIDERED INAPPROORIATE DURING AN ORTHODOX CHURCH CEREMONY.
- CELL PHONES SHOULD BE IN SILENT MODE
WHILE WE RECOGNIZE THAT NOT EVERYONE HAS A RELIGIOUS AFFILIATION, YOU CAN RESPECT THE CHURCH IN YOUR OWN WAY.
