Visiting our Church
The Protection of the Most Holy Mother of God Church welcomes and encourages visitors from other parishes and from the general public.
If it is your first time inside an Orthodox church, you might notice that there are no pews. We stand for worship, as did the faithful in all ancient churches, as a way of honouring the Heavenly King.
Please stand wherever you would like to and take a seat (there are chairs along the sides of the church), if you get tired.
Dress code
Please respect our ancient customs and dress modestly. Traditionally this has meant that women wear dresses or skirts that fall below the knee, while men wear pants. You may notice that some Orthodox women cover their heads with scarves or hats, but this is not strictly required at our church. For men the opposite holds: no hats are to be worn inside.
Language
Our Parish is equal parts Russian- and English-speaking. Our services are conducted in Church Slavonic (a liturgical language used by the Orthodox Church in Slavic countries), with one English liturgy a month. During Saturday night vigils, English is the language more often used for readings. On a regular Sunday you will hear the Gospel and Epistle readings, and sermon in two languages.
Communion
Only those who are baptised Orthodox Christian are permitted to receive the Holy Eucharist. The Orthodox Church understands the Holy Eucharist as the Mystery of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, not simply as a memorial, or merely in a spiritual sense, as do many other non-Orthodox Christians.
Orthodox Christians must take steps to prepare to receive the Holy Eucharist, which includes confession and fasting.
We humbly ask that those who are capable make a concerted effort to have confession at the vigil instead of in the short minutes before the Holy Eucharist at the liturgy—children and the infirm are excluded.
Are you new to the Parish?
After the service, you are welcome to speak to a member of clergy (they are all approachable), if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our faith.
If it is your first time inside an Orthodox church, you might notice that there are no pews. We stand for worship, as did the faithful in all ancient churches, as a way of honouring the Heavenly King.
Please stand wherever you would like to and take a seat (there are chairs along the sides of the church), if you get tired.
Dress code
Please respect our ancient customs and dress modestly. Traditionally this has meant that women wear dresses or skirts that fall below the knee, while men wear pants. You may notice that some Orthodox women cover their heads with scarves or hats, but this is not strictly required at our church. For men the opposite holds: no hats are to be worn inside.
Language
Our Parish is equal parts Russian- and English-speaking. Our services are conducted in Church Slavonic (a liturgical language used by the Orthodox Church in Slavic countries), with one English liturgy a month. During Saturday night vigils, English is the language more often used for readings. On a regular Sunday you will hear the Gospel and Epistle readings, and sermon in two languages.
Communion
Only those who are baptised Orthodox Christian are permitted to receive the Holy Eucharist. The Orthodox Church understands the Holy Eucharist as the Mystery of the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist, not simply as a memorial, or merely in a spiritual sense, as do many other non-Orthodox Christians.
Orthodox Christians must take steps to prepare to receive the Holy Eucharist, which includes confession and fasting.
We humbly ask that those who are capable make a concerted effort to have confession at the vigil instead of in the short minutes before the Holy Eucharist at the liturgy—children and the infirm are excluded.
Are you new to the Parish?
After the service, you are welcome to speak to a member of clergy (they are all approachable), if you have any questions or would like to learn more about our faith.
