An Overview of Sunday Worship

We welcome you to our Divine Services! Worship in the Orthodox Church is intergenerational, and people of all ages are encouraged to remain in the Sanctuary. If children become restless, parents are welcome to step into the Narthex (lobby) or outside for a few moments to help them burn off energy.

Orthros (Matins) — 8:00 AM

Orthros is the ancient morning service of the Orthodox Church, incorporating Psalms, hymns, and scripture.

  • Opening & Psalms: The service begins with a glorification of the Trinity, the Lord’s Prayer, and the reading of six morning Psalms.

  • Hymns of the Day: Chants commemorating the Resurrection and the feast of the day are sung while the clergy bless the icons.

  • The Gospel Lesson: The priest reads one of eleven New Testament lessons detailing an encounter with the resurrected Christ.

  • Veneration: During the 50th Psalm, you are invited to come forward and venerate (kiss) the Holy Gospel held by the priest.

  • The Magnificat & Doxology: The Deacon censes the church as we praise the Virgin Mary, concluding with a final grand doxology.

The Divine Liturgy — 9:15 AM

The Divine Liturgy is our primary worship service, attributed to St. John Chrysostom (4th Century). It centers around Scripture, prayer, and Holy Communion.

  • The Opening & Petitions: The priest blesses the Kingdom of God, followed by prayerful petitions where the faithful respond, "Lord, have mercy."

  • The Small Entrance: Acolytes and clergy process through the church holding the Holy Gospel high.

  • Trisagion & Readings: We sing the Thrice-Holy Hymn ("Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal..."), followed by the day's Epistle and Gospel readings and a brief sermon.

  • The Great Entrance: During the Cherubic Hymn, the clergy process the bread and wine through the church, asking God to remember us in His Kingdom.

  • The Creed: The congregation recites the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, the concise confession of the Christian faith.

  • The Consecration (Anaphora): The priest invokes the Holy Spirit to change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. The faithful kneel during this sacred moment.

  • The Lord’s Prayer: The congregation recites the Lord’s Prayer together, often in multiple languages representing the global Church.

  • Holy Communion:

    Note on Participation: Holy Communion is reserved for baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through recent confession and fasting.

    For Visitors: You are warmly invited to come forward for a blessing. Please cross your arms over your chest to signal to the priest that you are a visitor. Please follow the ushers' guidance by row, and remain standing prayerfully during distribution.

  • The Dismissal: The service concludes with a final blessing. Everyone is invited to come forward to receive antidoron (blessed bread) from the priest as a token of fellowship.

Sunday Coffee Fellowship

Please join us in Founders’ Hall for refreshments and Christian fellowship immediately following the services! You are also invited to visit the Archangel Gabriel Bookstore, located to the right in the Narthex.