Visitor's Guide
Glory to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever! This simple guide
is for those unfamiliar with the worship of the Eastern
Church, and who plan on visiting an Eastern Church in the
future.
Sign of the Cross.
To say that we make the sign of the Cross frequently would
be an understatement. We sign ourselves whenever the Trinity
is invoked, whenever we venerate the Cross or an Icon, and
on many other occasions in the course of the Liturgy.
But
people aren’t expected to do everything the same way. Some
people Cross themselves three times in a row, and some
finish by sweeping their right hand to the floor. On first
entering a Church people may come up to an Icon, make a
“metania”—crossing themselves and bowing with right hand to
the floor—twice, then kiss the Icon, then make one more metania. This becomes familiar with time, but at first it
can seem like secret-handshake stuff that you are sure to
get wrong. Don’t worry, you don’t have to follow suit.
We cross with our right hands from right to left (push, not
pull), the opposite of Roman Catholics and high-Church
Protestants. We hold our hands in a prescribed way: thumb
and first two fingertips pressed together, last two fingers
pressed down to the palm (Three fingers together for the
Trinity; two fingers brought down to the palm for the two
natures of Christ, and his coming down to earth.) This, too,
takes practice. .
Singing
About seventy-five percent of the service is congregational
singing. The cantor (or small choir) leads the people in a
cappella harmony, with the level of congregational response
varying from parish to parish. It has been fairly said that
the Liturgy is one continuous song. What keeps this from
being exhausting is that it’s pretty much the *same* song
every week. Relatively little changes from Sunday to Sunday;
the same prayers and hymns appear in the same places, and
before long you know it by heart.
The Holy Theotokos and the Saints
A constant feature of our worship is the veneration of the
Virgin Mary. We often address her as “Theotokos,” which
means “birth-giver of God.” In providing the physical means for
God to become man, she made possible our salvation.
But though we honor her, as Scripture foretold (“All
generations will call me blessed,” Luke 1:48), this doesn’t
mean that we think she or any of the other saints have
magical powers or are demi-gods. When we sing “Holy
Theotokos, save us,” we don’t mean that she grants us
eternal salvation, but that we seek her prayers for our
protection and growth in faith. Just as we ask for each
other’s prayers, we ask for the prayers of Mary and other
saints as well. They’re not dead, after all, just departed
to the other side. Icons surround us to remind us of all the
saints who are joining us invisibly in worship.
Icon Screen
Most Eastern Churches will have an Iconostasis before its
altar. “Iconostasis” means
“Icon-stand”, and it can be as
simple as a large image of Christ on the right and a
corresponding image of the Virgin and Child on the left. In
a more established Church, the Iconostasis may be a literal
wall, adorned with Icons. Some versions shield the altar
from view, except when the central doors stand open.
The basic set-up of two large Icons creates, if you use your
imagination, three doors. The central one, in front of the
altar itself, is called the “Holy Doors” or “Royal Doors,”
because there the King of Glory comes out to the
congregation in the Eucharist. Only the priest and deacons,
who bear the Eucharist, use the Holy Doors.
The openings on the other sides of the Icons, if there is a
complete Iconostasis, have doors with Icons of angels; they
are termed the “Deacon’s Doors.”
To see our Iconostasis up close please visit
this page.
Communion
All Catholics (Eastern and Western) in good standing, who
are properly prepared (prayer and fasting) are invited to receive
communion. In the Byzantine Tradition, the Mystery of the
Holy Eucharist involves the use of leavened bread, out of
which is cut one major particle, a square “Lamb of God” that
bears the imprint IC XC NIKA (Jesus Christ Conquers) on it.
Out of this Lamb is cut the many particles that will be
consecrated and placed into the holy paterion (chalice or
cup) containing the consecrated wine.
When the faithful
approach the Holy Mysteries, they traditionally make the
sign of the Cross at a safe distance from the chalice, not
while standing directly in front of the priest (or deacon). As you approach, fold your arms in the
Cross of Saint Andrew (X) across your chest. Please move in as close
as possible to the paten that is being held by the altar
server. The priest/deacon will then recite, “The
servant/handmaid of God, (name), receives the most precious
and holy Body and Blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus
Christ for the remission of all his/her sins and for life
everlasting. Amen.”
Tilt your head back slightly and open your mouth widely. Do
not extend your tongue. Do not say, “Amen.” The
priest/deacon will gently place the Eucharist into your
mouth using a spoon. Wait for the priest/deacon to bring his
hand away from your face, then close your mouth.
