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Saint Nicholas
Greek Orthodox
Church

San Jose, California

© 1999-2006 St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church of
San Jose, CA

Saint Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

A WORD ABOUT BEHAVIOR IN CHURCH

Every Orthodox Church edifice is dedicated and consecrated to the glory and worship of God. The church is unlike every other structure in that it has been set aside as the very "House of God". It is the one place where all secular activities are left behind and where we may, without distraction, worship our Creator. On Sunday and weekdays, whether services are in progress or not, an atmosphere of peace and quiet should be maintained. The Orthodox Christian is quiet and respectful in church to indicate recognition of God's eternal presence there. On the Altar the reserve Sacrament of Holy Communion, the Body and Blood of Christ, is kept in the Tabernacle and our behavior is in accordance with that presence.

During the Divine Liturgy and all services of divine worship we all have a responsibility to maintain proper decorum.

The church is the House of God. Reverence and good manners are required. No irreverent or irrelevant conversations should be carried on inside or out.

There are certain times when no one should be moving about, entering, or leaving the church.

These times are:

1. During the Doxology, while the priest is censing.
2. During the Small Entrance - the procession of the priest and altar boys with the Holy Gospel.
3. When the priest censes the Altar, icons, and congregation throughout the Divine Liturgy.
4. During the reading of the Epistle and Gospel both in Greek and English.
5. During the sermon; in Greek after the Gospel reading or in English after the tray is passed at the conclusion of the Divine Liturgy.
6. During the Great Entrance - the procession of the priest and altar boys with the Holy Gifts.
7. During the recitation of the Creed and Lord's Prayer in Greek and English.
8. During the Consecration of the Holy Gifts. (Se Imnoumen)

The general rule is that whenever the priest is outside the Holy Altar either with the censer or for giving a blessing, there should be no movement in the church.

Also, we remind everyone that we should attend the Divine Liturgy and all services of divine worship from the beginning.

Please remember that the Parish Council members are obligated to maintain order and decorum in the church during worship. Please follow their directions at all times.

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