Orthodox Christian Worship
The Orthodox Church preserves the most ancient forms of Christian worship, which predate Christianity and extend back to the practices of the Jews in the Old Testament.

Orthodox Christian worship engages the body, mind, and soul and is shared by Orthodox Churches throughout the world.

Despite the ancient and universal nature of our worship, however, it may feel a bit foreign to you. To help you know what to expect when visiting a service at our parish, we've compiled a set of introductory videos.
** Use of the videos above does not endorse the rest of the videos on this channel. Rather than exploring what else this channel has to offer, we encourage you to come visit our parish and share your thoughts and questions with our clergy.
General and handicap parking is available in the front (paved) lot of the church property.
Additional parking is also available in the back (gravel) lot of the church property.
If the parking lot is full, please use the lot of Houses & Then Some next door (in the front and in the rear).
As a last resort (especially if it is raining), you can park on the grassy area on both sides of the driveway going into Seacoast Church across the street.
Parking
What to Wear
In the Orthodox Church, we seek to balance two virtues when preparing ourselves for worship:

- offering God our best

- offering ourselves as we are

In that spirit, we encourage you to visit our church wearing something comfortable but not casual.
Here are some suggestions for women:

- skirt or dress below knee length

- modest top that covers chest and shoulders

- simple shoes (flats or sandals)

Here are some suggestions for men:

- long pants (khakis or slacks)

- collared shirt (polo or button up)

- loafers or boots

What NOT to wear:

- tanktops, crop-tops, spaghetti strap dresses, or "muscle tees"

- ripped jeans or shorts

- clothing with lettering, images, or graphic designs

- sneakers or flip flops
Children
If you have children, do not hesitate to bring them on your first visit!

As the Lord tells his disciples, “Let the children come to me, and do not hinder them; for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Matt 19:14).

In the Orthodox Church, we intentionally include our children in the life and rhythms of worship in the Church because we believe that this will help them grow into faithful and mature adult Christians.
We know that children may get tired or need a break during the service. If your child starts to feel that way or needs to make a little noise during your visit, feel free to step out of the temple for a few minutes.

While snacks and toys are prohibited in the worship space of our church, our hall and children's corner are always available as spaces for you and your children to refresh.
Your First Vespers Service
Vespers is the evening service of the Orthodox Church and the first service we recommend you attend if you've never been to an Orthodox Church before.

We offer Great Vespers every Wednesday & Saturday at 6pm and occasionally on other days of the week.

The Vespers service usually lasts about an 45-60 minutes.
Here is a video with some basic information on what to expect at your first Vespers service.
** Use of the video above does not endorse the rest of the videos on this channel. Rather than exploring what else this channel has to offer, we encourage you to come visit our parish and share your thoughts and questions with our clergy.
Your First Divine Liturgy
Divine Liturgy is the pinnacle of worship in the Orthodox Church and the most ancient form of celebrating the Eucharist.

The word "liturgy" comes from the Greek word for a "public service," which reminds us that the Eucharist is a synergetic offering of both God and man for the life of the world.

We offer Divine Liturgy every Sunday at 9:30am and occasionally on other days of the week.

Divine Liturgy usually lasts about 1.5-2 hours.
Here is a video with some basic information on what to expect at your first Divine Liturgy.
** Use of the video above does not endorse the rest of the videos on this channel. Rather than exploring what else this channel has to offer, we encourage you to come visit our parish and share your thoughts and questions with our clergy.