Common Questions & Answers

 

Q1: I am not an Orthodox Christian. Is it allowed for me to attend an Orthodox service?

A: Yes, you are welcome at every service. We enjoy having visitors.

Q2: When I walk into your church, what do I do & where do I go?

A: You can stand or sit anywhere in the church. There are seats available, although in our tradition most stand during certain parts, unless elderly or otherwise unable to stand for a protracted period. If it’s your first visit or you are unsure, just sit and take it all in, whatever makes you most comfortable, since worship should be a experience that brings joy.

Q3: Will I be expected to follow your customs?

A: We don’t expect you to immediately follow our customs. If you wish to do what others are doing, crossing themselves, bowing, kissing the image of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary, and so forth, you are welcome to.

Q4: Do you worship images?

A: We do not offer divine worship to images, saints, or angels. We must worship only God almighty. Honouring His saints, and images such as of Christ, is a way of showing respect for what God has blessed and the things He has done. A soldier on the field of battle will take out a picture of his wife and kiss it. It doesn’t mean he worships his wife as God, but it means he loves her and wants to be reunited with her soon. That’s why we kiss images of Christ and His saints.

Q5: Do you worship the Virgin Mary?

A: No, God alone we worship as divine. We honour her highly as an amazing role model of faith, obedience, and love. Doing so, we fulfill the gospel prophecy, “Behold, all generations shall call her blessed” (Luke 1:48). We call her the Blessed “Theotokos,” or “Mother of God,” since her Son Christ was truly the Son of God, and He was born from her virginal womb.

Q6: I am a woman. Do I have to wear a scarf on my head to come to your church?

A: No. Some people do continue with this tradition, but in the Greek Orthodox Church is is not a widespread custom. We do encourage women to wear modest clothes.

Q7: How long is a typical service, do I have to stay and stand throughout, where should I stand?

A: Anything from an hour and a half, typically two hours. You are able to move around, venerate icons, even leave the Church if you need to, and then return. Those with children will often break and return. There is no set formula. All that we ask is that you are respectful of others and are not disruptive.

Q8: I am not Orthodox. When I see people coming for Holy Communion, should I get in line with them?

A: No, just remain in place. Fortunately, in Orthodoxy we don’t expect people to take Communion every time, so others will stay behind like you. At the end, people will come up again, to kiss the cross and take a piece of church bread or Antidero. You are welcome to come forward with them.

Q9: Is the Greek Orthodox Church just for Greeks or Greek Cypriots?

A: Not at all. It’s a church for all people, spread over the whole world. It’s just that the roots of our missionary church lie in Greece and Cyprus, where Christianity took such deep root among the people almost two thousand years ago. Today the Greek Orthodox Church here in the UK includes British-born worshippers, including converts from other denominations

Q10: What else should I know?

A: When you walk in, chants and prayers may be already going. It doesn’t mean you’re late—we preface the main service with prayers of preparation. The Liturgy is in English and also in Koine Greek, an ancient form of Greek and the original language of the New Testament. If you want to help support our church, just put your donation in the labelled basket, or during the collection. After the service we have refreshments—you are invited to join us. If you have children, feel free to bring them. Our congregation includes families and often include generations with children, grandchildren and sometimes great grandchildren.  Children make some noise; that’s to be expected. If your child gets too loud or simply gets bored, just go outside for a while on the grass, for a breather. You can re-enter when things are going better. It’s actually common in our churches to go in or out, as need be