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Welcome to Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Church Church Services: We invite you to come worship with us every Sunday:
From time to time we have been asked questions about the Orthodox Church and our Liturgy. Some people may feel too intimidated by everything they see and hear, to ask questions, so we will try to answer some of those frequently asked questions. First, you may notice that we stand throughout much of the service. In the beginning, Christians stood rather than sat, because that has always been the preferred posture for prayer. Through the years, as churches evolved, many have added seating. In the Orthodox tradition, the faithful stand through much of the worship service. Next, the appearance of our place of worship may be different from what you are used to. Everything from the music, to the sweet smell of incense, to the beautiful icons adorning the walls, is meant to bring us closer to God. Everything you may see, hear, taste, feel, and smell has a time-honored meaning and a purpose in the Service. Since God wants us to offer our entire being to Him in worship, all of our senses are asked to participate in heavenly worship. During the course of the Divine Liturgy, an Orthodox Christian will make the sign of the cross many times. This happens when the Trinity (The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) or the Theotokos (The Mother of God) are mentioned, or after venerating (kissing) an icon. As with most everything, there is a special way to make the sign of the Cross. We use our right hand with the thumb, index finger, and middle finger pressed together to represent the Trinity, and the last two fingers pressed to the palm. These represent the two natures of Jesus - fully God and fully Man. The Cross is made by touching the forehead, chest, right shoulder and left shoulder and ending up over the heart. Some Orthodox Churches (notably the Russian Orthodox) will bow slightly. The kiss is another action firmly rooted in Orthodoxy. When we enter into the church, it is customary to venerate or kiss the icon near the door (and any other you would like). This shows love and respect. You may also see the faithful kiss the Priest's right hand from time to time. This, too, is an act of veneration. The people are venerating the High Priesthood of Christ, of which the parish priest is simply a participant. None of this kissing or veneration should be confused with worship. Orthodox Christians worship only God. During the last part of the Liturgy, the priest prepares Holy Communion. In order to take Communion, you must be Orthodox. It does not matter which branch of the Orthodox Church you belong to. The Prosforo (bread) for Communion is specially baked by a parishioner. It is a simple recipe and just prior to baking, it is impressed with a special seal. During preparation before the liturgy, the priest cuts out a section of the seal and sets it aside. This portion is called the "Lamb." During the Liturgy it is consecrated as the Body of Christ and the wine is also consecrated as the Blood of Christ. These are combined and when Holy Communion is taken, the priest places in our mouth a small portion of both wine and bread. Another thing you will notice is the music. These hymns have come down virtually unaltered since the beginning of Christianity and have not lost any of their beauty. The congregations sings some of them, and the Psalti (Chanter) and Choir sing the rest. By the end of the LIturgy, some of the responses will be familiar enough for you to join in. Don't be afraid, everyone is encouraged to sing. Most of the service will take place at the Altar, which is behind the iconostasis, or wall of Icons. This wall has three doorways. Only the Priest bearing the Eucharist is permitted to use the opening in the center. All others who enter the Altar area use the doors on either side. Only those who have a special function in the Service are permitted into the Altar, and only after receiving a special blessing. Another attribute of the Orthodox worship is that it is long. The original Liturgy was said to have lasted over five hours. Today, the Divine Liturgy will last about an hour and a half. Before the Liturgy, however, is Orthros and before that, the Priest must prepare the "Lamb" (from the bread) and his service of preparation also includes prayers while putting on his vestments. By the time you arrive (no, you are not late), the Priest has already been in the Altar for about an hour and a half. One of the core beliefs of the Orthodox faith has to do with the Theotokos, or Mother of God. Since she was the way that God became Man, she holds a special place in our faith. When we pray "Holy Theotokos, save us," we are asking that she intercede for us, or carry our prayers to her Son, Jesus with motherly boldness. Because of her sanctity and special place in the life of her Son, her prayers and intercessions on our behalf are especially powerful. Since its beginnings, the Orthodox Church has welcomed people from all walks of life. One thing that you will notice as you go to different Orthodox Churches is the unity we share. While differences in language, music and architecture may exist, you will notice that the faith, theology and holy Services are identical. As with all experiences, on your visit to our church you may come up with a question that we have not anticipated. Please feel free to ask whatever questions you may have. We look forward to meeting you at our church. Membership/Fair Share:
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