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Church Etiquette

Honoring the House of God:
"Let us not perform what is holy in an impure manner; what is sublime in a lowly fashion, what is worthy of honor in a disgraceful way, and, in short, what is holy in a terrestrial manner... With us all things are somehow holy: activity, movement, desire, speaking, as well as our manner of walking and our garments, even our gestures, because reason extends to everything and guides man according to God; this is how our celebration is spiritual and solemn."

Gregory of Nazianzus, Orationes 11

Please honor these simple guidelines while in church or on church property:

  • THE CENTER DOORS FROM THE NARTHEX TO THE NAVE WILL BE ROPED OFF DURING SUNDAY LITURGY. Please Enter the Church through the side doors from the Narthex to the Nave.

  • PLEASE REMAIN SILENT AND PRAYERFUL WHEN YOU ENTER THE CHURCH AND AGAIN AS YOU LEAVE AFTER THE SERVICE. During the Divine Liturgy and other services, your prayerful participation is encouraged. 

  • PARENTS ARE EXPECTED TO REMOVE THEIR CHILDREN TO THE QUIET ROOM WHEN THEY ARE DISTRACTING OTHERS FROM WORSHIP.  The entrance to the Quiet Room is from the Narthex only. The side door, from the Nave, is for emergency exit use only. The Quiet Room is not a playground.  Please re-enter the Nave and join the community in worship after your child is calm. 

  • PLEASE REMAIN QUIET IN THE NARTHEX DURING THE LITURGY. The Narthex (the entrance to the church) is a holy place, traditionally a place of repentance and purification. Noise from the Narthex carries up the stairs into the balcony and echos into the Nave, creating a distraction. Children should not be allowed to run around in the Narthex (or anywhere in the sanctuary) for the purpose of "burning off energy".

  • PLEASE MIND YOUR CHILDREN EVERYWHERE ON CHURCH PROPERTY! Children should not be allowed to run, wrestle, or "rough house" anywhere within church buildings. Parents are expected to supervise their children while they are playing outside!!

  • HONOR THE HOUSE OF GOD WITH PROPER ATTIRE. Not all clothing is appropriate everywhere.  For church, ask yourself the following questions: Is it modest? Is it simple? Is it dignified? Is it practical? Some suggestions: Avoid clothing that draws undue attention to you, which are too tight or too revealing, or which contain distracting advertisements, slogans, crude puns, social commentary, or other artwork (T-shirts, etc...). Pants should be long (no "hip-huggers" or low risers, please, PLEASE!) ; skirts should be as close to the knee or below as possible. Shirts and blouses should have collars and sleeves, and T-shirts in general should be avoided. These are not rules etched in stone; they are merely guidelines which, if followed, will assist in creating a reverential environment.

  • PERFUMES AND COLOGNS SHOULD BE USED SPARINGLY IF AT ALL! Keep in mind that some parishioners have allergies. Let incense which symbolizes your prayers being carried up to God as an "odor of spiritual sweetness..." suffice.

  • SMUDGE BEFORE YOU KISS!! Since kissing icons is part of Orthodox devotion, please be sparing in your use of lipstick, and smudge your lips with kleenex before kissing them.

For more tips on church etiquette, please read Some things You Should Know While in Church by Fr. David Barr, pastor St. Elias AOC, Austin, Texas.

God Bless, and welcome!
Please stay for fellowship after Sunday Liturgy!

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