Worship For All the Senses

The first thing you may notice when you visit us is that Orthodox worship engages all the five senses. The burning candles and oil lamps, the color, form, and placement of the Icons, the music of the choir, the smell of the incense, the taste of the Bread and Wine, all work to focus our entire being on the worship of the Living God.

Why Are There So Many Candles?

Since the Savior Himself taught that He is the Light of the World (John 8:1 2), our candles and lamps ultimately refer to His radiance. The Light of Christ illumines all humanity - in fact it enlightens the whole world. Oil lamps provide some of our light. These recall the parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids who kept their vigil for the Bridegroom (Matthew 25:1-13), and help us to remember that we also must keep our watch for His coming again.

There is also the consideration that wax candles provide some of our light.  In Psalm 68 we read that the wicked, (i.e. those who hate God), will disperse when they encounter Him in just the same way that wax melts near a fire.  Our prayer is that any wickedness in us will vanish as the wax of a candle vanishes and is consumed by the flame.

More practically - wax candles are simply a convenient and age-old means of providing light by which to see. The faithful light candles as a sign of their fervent prayer to God. We light candles and lamps before icons; we carry them in processions; we place them at various locations throughout the church building simply to give off illumination. The more candles that are lighted the more light is generated, and greater is the image of the Empty Tomb of the Lord which shone forth with a brilliance far greater than the light of day.
  
May I Light A Candle, Too?

Of course, just purchase one at the candle stand, light it and place it in one of the stands at the front of the Church. The price is not fixed, give what you can.

Why Do You Use Incense?

Psalm 141 declares "Let my prayer arise in Your sight as incense; the lifting-up of my hands as an evening sacrifice." Incense is thus linked to prayer. In the Apocalypse (8:1-5) we also see this connection in a Christian context. In addition, we show that we honor someone or something when we burn incense before it or them. You will notice that the Gospel Book upon the altar table (the verbal image of Christ), the altar table itself (a sign of the throne of God), the icons (themselves representing the presence of the holy men and women and the events in the history of salvation), and finally all the faithful people who have assembled for worship are censed. (Remember that human beings are made in the image, and with the potential to become perfect in the likeness of God (Genesis 1:27) - thus we are living icons of God too.)

Why Do People Kiss Icons When They Enter And Leave The Church?

It is our belief that human beings have a deep God-given need to express what we feel inside when those feelings are pure and good. Orthodox Christians have great devotion and love for the individuals depicted in many of our icons. We have a great respect and veneration for the biblical and historical scenes depicted in our icons because those events are part of God's plan of salvation for the life of the world. When an Orthodox Christian bows before and/or places a kiss upon an icon, the Gospel Book (or even another Christian) it is a sign of humility and devotion before God Who acts through the individual (or scriptures if that is the case) so that all His people may be brought back to Paradise.

Isn't All That Idolatry?

Are you worshipping your mother, father, husband, wife, son or daughter when you give that person a kiss? Of course not. It is our belief that the outward honor we pay to the material reality goes far beyond to the "prototype." There is also a vast distinction between honor (i.e., veneration or respect) and worship. We worship God alone, and may have no others before Him (Exodus 20). The Orthodox Church has already dealt with the issue of those who could not make that distinction (i.e., the "iconoclasts") in the 8th century through the decision of the 7th Ecumenical Council.

Why Is The Whole Service Sung A Capella? (No instruments)

It is held that the human voice is at its best in song. The voice is the musical instrument created by God Himself. For Orthodox Christians, then, the voice is the one instrument that is most fitting for the praise of God. Now, some traditions within Orthodox Christianity during this century (especially in Europe and America) have used pipe organs and pianos, in worship. In the Church of Cyprus we follow the most ancient Christian practice; we use only the human voice to make a joyful noise unto the Lord (Psalm 66).

Why do people stand for the whole service?

The Lord once declared that "Whenever two or three are gathered together in My Name, I am in their midst."(Matthew 18:20) Orthodox Christians could not conceive of simply sitting in the presence of the Lord especially while in worship. it is a sign of respect when a judge or an other important person enters a room that those assembled rise up. No less do Orthodox Christians stand (or kneel in humility if it is not a Sunday) before the King of Glory Who comes invisibly unborn by unseen armies of angels. Those who are not able to stand for whatever reason, are not, of course, required to do so.

Must I Stand All The While?

You should do what you feel comfortable doing. Many people get weary after a while. So, they sit down. Others feel more comfortable remaining on their feet so as not to appear conspicuous. Don't worry. We only ask that you stand with us at least during the Entrance of the Holy Gospel, the reading of the Holy Gospel, the Entrance of the Gifts, the Creed, the Eucharistic Prayer ("anaphora"), and the time of Holy Communion.

Why can't I go to Church straight from the beach?

Being appropriately dressed in front of God and his ministers is important to Orthodox Christians. You should not wear shorts or a bikini in church, nor a Chanel ball gown! You are there to see, not to be seen. Please offer the church the respect that is its due. Some monasteries may offer you a robe to wear over your summer clothes.

PS This applies to men, too!

Who May Receive Holy Communion?

The Orthodox Church has never known the practice of "open communion" which is found among many of the Christian denominations.
For Orthodox Christians, there must already exist the essential unity of faith between those who partake of the One Bread and the One Cup. Holy Communion is not a means to that unity, but is the fruit of a unity already reached. It is a tragic fact that Christianity is divided into different groups, beliefs, and presuppositions.
This division has come about because of the "diabolos" (Greek for "separation, sever, destroy"), i.e., the devil who wishes Christ's flock to be scattered. So, unless you are baptized, chrismated and practicing as an Orthodox Christian in a canonical Orthodox parish, who also has the blessing of your spiritual father to receive Holy Communion regularly, we must ask that you not come forward with the communicants. We all must pray and work for a day when all Christians will be united in faith and in love around the Mystical Wedding Banquet Table of the Lamb of God.

 Adapted from the publication
"What to expect when you visit an Orthodox Church"