FAQ
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 one must stand during certain parts of the services, 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 an 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 Christ etc, you are welcome to do so.
Q4: Do you worship images?
A: We do not offer divine worship to images, saints, or angels. We must worship God alone. Honouring His saints, and images such as the image of Christ, is a way of showing respect and affection. A soldier in the battlefield 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, we worship God alone. We honour the Blessed Virgin Mary highly as an amazing role model of faith, obedience, and love. Doing so, we fulfill the gospel prophecy, “Behold, all generations shall call me 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: Not unless you want to. Some women do continue keeping this tradition, but in the Greek Orthodox Church of the diaspora it is not a widespread custom. We do encourage however both men 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 to three hours. You are able to move around, venerate icons, even leave the Church if you need to, and then return. Those with children may often need to go out from time to time. 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. Holy Communion is only for Orthodox believers who have properly prepared themselves; so, others will also stay behind like you. At the end of the service, people will come up again, to kiss the cross and take a piece of blessed bread (Antidoron). You are welcome to do so too.
Q9: Is the Greek Orthodox Church just for Greeks?
A: Not at all. It’s a church for all people, spread over the whole world. It’s just that the roots of our 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. Our congregation includes many nationalities: Greeks, Romanians, Bulgarians, Lebanese, Ukrainians.
Q10: What else should I know?
A: When you walk in, chants and prayers may have already started. It doesn’t mean you’re late—before the main service of the Divine Liturgy (the Eucharist) Morning Prayer takes place. The Liturgy is in English and also in Koine Greek, an ancient form of Greek and the original language of the New Testament. Other languages are also used (e.g. Romanian and Church Slavonic) depending on what nationalities are represented in the congregation.
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 which often comprise of children, grandchildren and sometimes great grandchildren. Children can be noisy; that’s to be expected. If your child gets too loud or simply gets bored, you can go outside for a while.
Q12: Can I join the Orthodox Church if I wish so?
A: Indeed you can. For more information, please see St Charalambos Luton - For Inquirers
Q13: How can I help the Church?
A: Please come and worship with us whenever you can. This is the greatest possible contribution you can make to the life of our community. We would always be grateful for your prayers so that with God's grace we may continue to serve his people in the area.
If you have a talent you wish to contribute to the Church [e.g. administration, hospitality, music], please contact Fr David or a member of the Community Board.
If you wish to make a donation to support the Church financially, please see: www.stcharalambos.org.uk/donations/supporting-the-church