The Orthodox Christian Church is:
* The Universal Church established by Jesus Christ,
Unchanged and Unchanging!
* World - wide 2nd Largest Church in the World!
* Teaches the Holy Bible as the True Word of God!
* WELCOME You and Your Family in the Name of Jesus Christ!
We are very glad to have you with us for this time of worship, prayer, and
sharing. It is our desire that this experience will deepen your understanding
and love for God, and for fellowship with other Christians. If this will be
your first visit to an Orthodox Christian Church, there are some things we
would like to share with you about our Church and our worship that may be new
to you...
There are approximately 225 million Orthodox Christians around the world, and
about six million in the United States. Still, Orthodoxy is relatively
unfamiliar to many people. Orthodox beliefs and practices are rooted in the
richness and fullness of the Bible and Christian Tradition.
The primary emphasis of our service is the worship of God. A major part of our
worship is the " Eucharist," which is a Biblical word that means
"Thanksgiving." As we receive the Body and Blood of Christ with
thankful hearts, we believe our communion with God and with one another is
nourished and we receive life. (John 6:47-58)
The first thing you'll notice as you enter are the icons. These are pictures of
Christ, of Mary - His mother with Him, and other heroic Christians and holy
angels. You will also see pictures of the events in the Lord's life. Icons
serve as visual images that represent real people and important events in
salvation history. We of course do not worship icons, because we worship God
alone. But we do honor those whom the icons depict. These pictures were used by
the Church very early as a kind of visual theology, to help teach the truths of
God's Kingdom. Icons have been called "theology in color," and
"windows to Heaven."
You may also notice other things as being different from what you are
accustomed to. Incense has been used continually, since the days of Israel's
worship in the tabernacle, as a symbol of prayer and to honor the presence of
God. Its use is seen in the Biblical books of Isaiah and Revelation as a part
of heavenly worship.
Vestments adorned with the Cross are worn by those leading the service. They
remind us of the ministry of Christ in our midst. They also remind us how we
are clothed by faith in Christ with the "robe of righteousness" and
given "garments of salvation." (Isaiah 61:10) Psalm 96:9 tells us we are
to "worship the Lord in holy array."
Honoring the saints of the Old and New Testaments, as well as from the more
recent history of the Church, whose lives serve as examples of virtue and
devotion, receives special mention during our services. Worship is for God
alone. Yet the Church throughout the ages has honored those whom God has
honored, and who were faithful to God to the end of their lives. For example,
because of Mary's unique role in the Incarnation, and in fulfillment of Luke
1:28, 42, and 48, it is appropriate for us to give special honor to the mother
of our Lord and God, Jesus Christ.
The sign of the Cross is used as part of our worship of God, who is Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit. Christians commonly display the Cross on pulpits, in
their homes, on Bibles, etc. But few are aware that from the earliest times,
Christians have made the sign of the Cross upon themselves. This is done as a
physical expression of worship to the Lord Jesus , along with other
expressions, such as standing, bowing, singing, and raising hands. We recognize
the importance of Christ and His crucifixion on a cross to our salvation.
Processions, honoring the Gospel book, lighting candles, kneeling and
prostrating, and much more are all part of the faith and practice of the
Orthodox Christian Church. Indeed, we have found them to be like valuable old
treasures, which a wise householder brings out along with the new (Matthew
13:52). They involve the whole of our being in an active participation in
worship. They also remind us that there is more to the reality of God's Kingdom
than what we are able to see at the present.
We sincerly hope these explanations will help you feel more welcome and at ease
as you worship with us!
If you have any questions, or you would like to come to one of our services,
please feel free to contact Father Igor Burdikoff at xcsavior@yahoo.com. Everyone is welcome at
any time and you will not be asked to participate in anything that you do not want
to do. Communion, however, is only for Orthodox Christians who have prepared
themselves to receive Communion.
As you attend services, please come to our Coffee Hour after the service.