Stand, watch, and don’t take communion. That’s the short answer.
The longer answer is that you’re welcome to participate in everything except Holy Communion itself. Stand when others stand (which is most of the time). Make the sign of the cross if you want to. Venerate icons when people go forward. Sing along if you can follow the words. But when the priest comes out with the chalice and people line up for communion, stay in your place. That’s only for baptized Orthodox Christians who’ve prepared through fasting and confession.
Let’s be honest about what you’re walking into. An Orthodox service isn’t like First Baptist’s 11 o’clock. It’s longer, for one thing. Figure on an hour and a half, maybe two hours. People move around more than you’d expect. There’s incense. The priest faces away from you for parts of the service. If you grew up Baptist or non-denominational, some of this will feel strange. That’s fine. Strange doesn’t mean wrong.
What to Actually Do
Come in quietly. If the service has already started, that’s normal. Most people don’t arrive for the very beginning. You’ll see icons on your right and left as you enter. Watch what others do. They’ll cross themselves, kiss the icon, sometimes light a candle. You can do the same if you’re comfortable, or just walk to a spot and stand. Nobody’s grading you.
Stand for most of the service. Yes, really. We stand because we’re in the presence of the King. Some churches have pews, some don’t. Either way, you’ll be on your feet more than you’re used to. Sit when others sit, or sit when you need to. If you’ve got a bad knee or you’re pregnant or you work nights at the refinery and you’re exhausted, sit. God knows.
The sign of the cross happens a lot. Touch your forehead, your chest, your right shoulder, then your left. Right to left, not left to right like Catholics do. People cross themselves at certain moments: when the Trinity is mentioned, during “Lord have mercy,” at the Gospel reading, other times. Watch and learn. Or don’t do it at all yet. You’re a visitor, not an actor in a play you haven’t rehearsed.
The Communion Question
Here’s the thing that trips people up. You can’t receive communion. I know that sounds unwelcoming. In Southeast Texas, most churches do open communion. Anybody who loves Jesus can come forward. We don’t do that.
Holy Communion isn’t a symbol of unity we hope to achieve someday. It’s the actual Body and Blood of Christ, and receiving it means you’re in full communion with the Orthodox Church. You’re saying “I believe what this Church believes, I’m part of this body, I’ve prepared myself through prayer and fasting.” If you’re visiting, you’re not there yet. Maybe you will be. But not today.
When people line up for communion (you’ll know because the priest comes out with a gold chalice and a cloth), just stay where you are. Pray. Watch. Think about what you’re seeing. After everyone’s received, the priest will come out with a basket of bread. That’s antidoron, blessed bread. You can take a piece of that. It’s not communion, just regular bread that’s been blessed. It’s offered to everyone.
Following Along
Some parishes have service books in the pews. Grab one if you see it. The service is called the Divine Liturgy, usually the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom. It follows the same pattern every week. You’ll hear “Wisdom! Attend!” and “Let us pray to the Lord” and “Lord have mercy” about a hundred times. The congregation responds. Jump in when you can.
There’s a Gospel reading. There’s the Creed (we say “I believe” not “we believe”). There’s a procession where the priest carries the chalice through the church. There are litanies, which are just lists of prayer requests with “Lord have mercy” after each one. It’s repetitive. That’s intentional. We’re not here to be entertained.
You might get lost. That’s fine. Just stand and pray and watch. Let the service wash over you. You’re not required to understand everything on your first visit, or your tenth.
One More Thing
After the service, people will probably talk to you. We’re in Texas, after all. Somebody will ask if you’ve been Orthodox long, and you’ll say you’re just visiting. They’ll probably invite you to coffee hour. Go. Ask your questions. Tell Father you’re new and you’d like to learn more.
We don’t do altar calls here. There’s no “come forward if you want to accept Jesus today.” But if you keep showing up, keep asking questions, keep standing through those long services, something might be happening. Not because you made a decision, but because God is making you new.
