FAQ

Are visitors welcome? Do I need to call or email ahead?

Visitors are always welcome! We believe that Orthodoxy is worth sharing with the world, and so we welcome any and all vistors, no matter their background or reason for attending. While you can always call or email ahead to inquire, it is perfectly normal to simply show up. View our services page or our calendar page to get information about upcoming service times.

Your parish is a Russian Orthodox Church. Does that mean only Russians are welcome?

Our parish is a member of the Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR), which was founded in 1920 by refugees fleeing the Soviet Union after the Bolshevik takeover of Russia. Our status as a member of ROCOR speaks to our spiritual inheritance in pre-Soviet Russia. Our parish has been home to many Russians and Ukrainians, but the vast majority of our members have been American converts. All are welcome regardless of ethnic background.

What language are your services in?

All our services are in English, with a sprinkling here and there of Church Slavonic (which is the liturgical language of Russia and other Slavic countries).

Do I have to stand for the whole service?

Visitors are not expected to stand. We have seating in the back and around the edges of the church. Nobody will judge you for sitting. It is more important to experience the service than to be distracted by aching feet.

Are women expected to wear veils or head-coverings?

Head-covering is a very common practice in the Russian tradition, but we do not ask visitors to head-cover. If you would like to, however, you are more than welcome to.

Where are we supposed to stand/sit?

In our parish, we generally follow the tradition of men being on the right and women on the left. However, families often need to be together for practical reasons, and several couples prefer to be together. Visitors need not worry too much about standing on the correct side of the church.

Can I receive communion?

Communion, or the Eucharist, is the center of the Chistian life. The Eucharist is Christ’s Body, and it is through His Body (the Eucharist) that we are united as members of His Body (the Church). As with all things that are truly important, doing it “wrong” has serious risks. Improper reception of communion is spiritually and potentially even physically dangerous, as we know from the Apostle Paul’s letter to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 11:27-30)

Because of this, the Orthodox Church practices closed communion. The Eucharist is only open to Orthodox Christians who are in good standing with the Church, and who have had a recent confession. In the Russian Orthodox tradition, we generally require that this confession be within the week prior to receiving communion.

If you are an Orthodox visitor from another parish or jurisdiction, it is best to reach out via our contact page to introduce yourself ahead of time. Confessions are heard after Vespers on Saturday or during hours on Sunday.

Is there a nursery or Sunday school for children?

We believe it is important for children to fully experience the services with their families, and therefore we do not have a nursery or Sunday school. This can be somewhat overwhelming for visitors who are parents, especially those with younger children. However, as the saying goes, “If children aren’t crying, the church is dying.” Children will, with time, learn the flow of the services and begin to settle down. We do have a cry-room/mother’s room in the back of the church if you need to step out to settle a crying child, change a diaper, nurse, etc.

Is there a book to follow along with the service?

Yes! You can borrow one from the table on the right just as you enter the chuch.