FAQs
Q.: 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.
Q.: When I walk into your chapel, what do I do—where do I go?
A.: You can stand anywhere in the church. There are benches on the sides for sitting.
Q.: Will I be expected to follow your customs?
A.: We don’t expect you to. If you wish to do what others are doing, crossing themselves, bowing, kissing the image of Jesus Christ or the Virgin Mary, and so forth, you are welcome to.
Q.: Do you worship images? That would be like having idols.
A.: We do not offer divine worship to images, saints, or angels. We must worship only God almighty. Honoring His saints, and images such as of Christ, is a way of showing respect for what God has blessed and the things He has done. A soldier on the field of battle 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.
Q.: Do you worship the Virgin Mary?
A.: No, God alone we worship as divine. We honor her highly as an amazing role model of faith, obedience, and love. Doing so, we fulfill the gospel prophecy, “Behold, all generations shall call her 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.
Q.: I am a woman. Do I have to wear a scarf on my head to come to your church?
A.: We encourage the tradition, prescribed in the New Testament, of a woman wearing a head-covering or scarf to divine worship. It is also traditional with us for a lady to wear a dress. As our guest, though, neither is required of you.
Q.: Is there something to help me follow the service?
A.: Yes, in the foyer of the church there are little pink books with English and Russian on facing pages, for church use. Take one and follow the service, or just observe and pray in your heart.
Q.: 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. Fortunately, in Orthodoxy we don’t expect people to take Communion every time, so others will stay behind like you. At the end, people will come up again, to kiss the cross and take a piece of specially baked bread. You are welcome to come forward with them.
Q.: Is the Russian Orthodox Church just for Russians?
A.: Not at all. It’s a church for all peoples, spread over the whole world. It’s just that the roots of our missionary church lie in Russia, where Christianity took such deep root among the people well over a thousand years ago. In Russia itself, there are countless Germans, Ukrainians, Estonians, Latvians, Poles, Asians, Armenians, Georgians, and people of Mongolian descent. Today the Russian Orthodox Church includes Latinos, Africans, Eskimos, and all kinds of Americans.
Q.: What else should I know?
A.: When you walk in, chants and prayers may be already going. It doesn’t mean you’re late—we preface the main service with prayers of preparation. The Liturgy is in English with some Russian. If you want to help support our church, just put your donation in the labeled basket, in the foyer. (We do not take up a collection during services.) After the service on Sundays we have refreshments—you are invited to join us and there is no charge. If you have children, feel free to bring them. Almost half our congregation are children and we like kids. Children make some noise; that’s to be expected. If your child gets too loud, etc., just go outside for a while on the grass, for a breather. You can re-enter when things are going better. It’s actually common in our churches to go in or out, as need be. We stand for the whole service; you don’t have to. Anything else, just ask the priest.
A.: If you want to baptize your child, call Fr. Aidan at (512) 696-6890 or send him an email: hieromonachusaidanus@yahoo.com.
Q.: Who can be a godparent?
A.: It is necessary to have at least one godparent of the same sex as the child. For example, a little boy needs a godfather, a little girl a godmother. It is preferable to have two godparents. They must be baptized Orthodox Christians, confessing the Orthodox faith. They should not be immediate family members (parent, sibling, aunt or uncle).
Q.: What must the godparents do?
A.: On the day of the baptism, the godparents or sponsors must go to confession, then receive Holy Communion. In the service, they will read the Creed (Veruyu) in English or Russian, as needed, and this should be prepared so it is read devoutly and clearly, without stumbling. After the child is baptized in the waters, they will take him in their arms, dry him with the towels, and place upon him the white clothing (making sure the hands and feet remain accessible to the priest). Then, when the priest circles the font three times, the godparents follow him with the child. At the very end, when the child is churched, the principal godparent follows the priest to the front of the church. There, when the priest has set the child down upon the step, the godparent immediately picks him up, holds him during his first Holy Communion, and then carries him to his mother. Don't worry; the priest will prompt you for what to do next, where to stand, etc.
Q.: When are Baptisms done at your church?
A.: The most usual time for Baptisms is at 12:00 noon on Sunday, right after Divine Liturgy.
Q.: In what language are Baptisms done at your church?
A.: Any requests should be made to the priest. For Russian families, Russian (Church Slavonic) is often used. For non-Russians, it's English (or Spanish, as needed).
Q.: What items must I bring?
A.: Bring a small neck-cross, two towels, and white baptismal clothing or white gown. Regular clothing is worn prior to the baptism, then after baptism in the waters, the white clothing is put on. Make sure the child's hands and feet are accessible to the priest, even before the service begins. On arriving at the church, buy a candle which will be held for the child after the child is dressed in white. Note that small neck-crosses are sold at the church (usually for $8 each) but you will need to provide a string or ribbon so the cross can be placed on the child without indenting the skin.
Q.: How much does a baptism cost?
A.: There is no price set, but it is customary to leave a donation which may vary according to your financial status. Amounts have typically been between $50 and $200. Donations may be put in an envelope and left in the donations basket at the back of the church.
Q.: May one film or photograph the Baptism?
A.: Yes, but this must be done respectfully, at a distance, so as not to disrupt the reverent conduct of the service.
Q.: May we have a reception at church after the Baptism?
A.: This should be coordinated with Luda Voskova (512) 577-7790.
Q.: What is accomplished by Holy Baptism? What is the meaning of Holy Baptism?
A.: Read all about it here: http://www.fatheralexander.org/booklets/english/baptism_e.htm
If you are already Orthodox, and wish to join the parish, you may simply tell the priest of your intent. You may be asked at some point if you are financially able to make a pledge of support to the church, but this is not necessary for parish membership.
Any Orthodox Christian may join our Russian Orthodox parish at any time. In the United States, there exist various jurisdictions; each layman is free to attend whatever parish he wishes to make his home. You should not, however, dart restlessly from one parish to another, with the result that you never find a true home in which to become established and grow spiritually.
If you are not Orthodox, tell the priest of your interest in Orthodoxy. He will guide you to further study, which may include a formal catechism, with special prayers for growth in faith, for wisdom, banishing of the devil, etc. After a period of time (generally a number of months), you may be ready to receive Holy Baptism and so be joined to the Holy Orthodox Church. If you have already been baptized into some other faith that names Christ, tell the priest this too, and he will tell you how you are to be received into the Church.
Read.
Study.
Pray.
Seek God with your whole heart.
May the prayers of the Mother of God be with you and enlighten you, preserving you in virtue and from all harm through the grace of Christ.
1. One must be a member of the Holy Eastern Orthodox Church, under a canonical bishop in communion with the Patriarchates of Christendom.
2. One must be conscious, in the week before the Holy Communion, that one is preparing for reception of the Mystery. Thus, one must be watchful in prayers and preserve a spirit of repentance during this time. One ought to attend the Vigil the evening before, if at all possible, but this is not a strict requirement.
3. One must have forgiven one's enemies and not harbour hatred towards anyone.
4. One must fast from the midnight before Communion, from all food and all liquid. An exception is made for those who must take prescribed medication. Such medication may be taken, and washed down with water. If you have health problems which require an adaptation, you must seek the blessing of the priest for an adaptation. In this way all of us can prepare humbly and in obedience.
5. One must go to confession and be absolved of one's sins, before Communion. The confession must have occurred in the week before the Holy Communion is received.
6. One must read, carefully and repentantly, the prayers of preparation before Holy Communion. They are available on the internet at http://www.pomog.org.
7. One must pray attentively during the Hours read before Liturgy, as well as at the Liturgy itself. Those who arrive at Liturgy past the reading of the Gospel should not take Holy Communion at that Liturgy. Some say that they must be present from the epistle onwards, or even at the very beginning ("Blessed is the kingdom"...).
8. Women should approach Holy Communion with the head covered, in accordance with Biblical teaching in the New Testament.
9. Husbands and wives should abstain from one another the night before they receive Holy Communion.
10. If one is bleeding, one should not receive Holy Communion. This includes women who are at their time, or even the priest if he cuts his finger preparing the Holy Gifts and the blood is not stopping. Although this rule may stem from an earlier age and culture, it is good to preserve it in a maximum spirit of humility, respect for our forefathers and foremothers' piety towards Christ, and unity with the whole Church.
11. One should not receive Holy Communion, no matter how well prepared, if one has nausea and there is a danger that one could vomit forth the Body and Blood of Christ.
12. The whole day after receiving Communion, one must continue in a reverent spirit of prayer and thanks, instead of immediately plunging into the usual worldly pursuits. One should also not spit, nor brush one's teeth till the evening. Above all, one must strive not to repeat any of the sins, from which one has just been cleansed and healed.
Additional Notes
Those who are receiving Holy Communion should never, never cross themselves while near the chalice. Instead, they cross their arms over the breast (in the shape of an X) and thus they make a continual "sign of the cross" and avoid bumping the chalice. When the priest places the Gifts in your mouth, close your lips together so when the priest draws out the spoon, all the Gifts remain within the mouth. Kiss the chalice after receiving the Gifts, before leaving. The priest's hand is not kissed at this time.
Those who have taken Communion, when they approach to kiss the cross at the end of the Liturgy, should not to kiss the priest's hand holding the cross.
Dear parishioners, donors and benefactors of the Holy Protection Russian Orthodox Church!
Many thank to all those who have helped us and continue to help us, with your time, your efforts, your resources, and your prayers. May the Lord God remember you in His immortal kingdom.
Thank you for your support! Your help is very important to our parish!
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“Remember, O Lord, those that bear fruit and do good works in Thy holy churches, and grant them their saving petitions and life eternal.”. “...we pray for those who bring offerings and do good works in this holy and all-venerable temple, for those who minister and those who chant, and for all the people present who await Thy great and abundant mercy...”
Wish list (or how you can help).
- we need ICONS for our iconostas. We would like to buy set of icons (similar style, colors, sizes, background) Please donate money toward iconostas icons.
icon of Christ = $750-$800
icon of the Theotokos = $750-$800
icon of Protection of the Theotokos = $800-$1500
icon of St. Nicholas = $750-$800
icons for Deacons' Doors = $750-$800 each
icons for the Royal Doors - if we want 6 of them, then $200-$250 each
icons of the Twelve Apostles = $250 each
an icon of the Mystical Supper = $1200
- chairs - (folding chairs?) (ask sisterhood )
- more benches along the walls for parishioners (ask warden)
- bookshelves for bookstore
- long carpet runner from the entrance and to the Royal doors (burgundy color)
- sand and then paint the outside of the front door frame (ask warden)
- fix kitchen stoves (ask sisterhood)
- order palm leaves for the palm Sunday (ask Fr.Aidan or sisterhood)
- cut flowers (or potted) for decoration (ask sisterhood)
- chain link fence gate (ask warden)
- sidewalk around the church for the cross procession
- help with gardening (donate your old garden tools, donate plants - ask Sisterhood about the kind of plants we need)
- decorations for the iconostas (we need to buy wood for icon framing, carvings, wood finishes...)
- find / install suitable lighting for the choir area (ask Dominica and warden)
- chandelier for narthex/candle shop
- wood floor for narthex/candle shop
- help with sealing of the main floor (moving furniture, cleaning the floor) (ask sisterhood)
- monthly operating cost of the church (mortgage, utilities...)
- gutters
Flowers for the Great feasts
Palm Sunday (the Sunday before Pascha) - palm leaves, willow
after the Cross week - red and purple
The Annunciation (Blagoveshenie) - white +blue
Good Friday - for Epitaphios (plashanitsa) use ONLY WHITE FLOWERS
Easter - Pascha - red, orange, yellow
Ascension (forty days after Pascha) - white
Pentecost (fifty days after Pascha) - green
The Nativity of the Theotokos - white lily, white andblue flowers
The Elevation of the Holy Cross - purple
The Presentation of the Theotokos - white and blue
The Nativity of the Lord - white flowers + evergreenChristmas trees
The Theophany (Epiphany) of the Lord (Baptism of Jesus) - white
The Presentation of the Lord - blue
The Transfiguration of Jesus - white
The Dormition (Falling Asleep) of the Theotokos - white and blue, white only for plashanitsa
Always white lilies for The Theotokos
Generally Color of the liturgical vestments and color of flowers should be about the same.
Days of Remembrance of prophets , apostles , saints , other servants of the Church, as well as pious kings and princes , saints - yellow
Holidays of Christmas , Epiphany , Candlemas , the Transfiguration and the Assumption , bodiless heavenly powers , as well as at the beginning of the Easter service - white
Feasts of the Theotokos ( Annunciation , Deposition of the Robe , Assumption , Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary ,Cover , Introduction , days of commemoration of the Theotokos icons) - blue
Holidays Holy Cross ( the Cross week of Lent , Origins (iznesenie) honest ancient Holy Cross , Exaltation of the Cross ) - Purple or dark red
Easter , holidays and memorial days of the martyrs - red
Holidays and memorial days of saint , devotees, foolish ,Entry into Jerusalem , Day of the Holy Trinity - green
Great post - Dark blue, purple, dark green, dark red, black
Maundy Thursday - dark red, burgundy, purple
1. Have high expectations. They can do it. If you assume bad behavior, you'll probably get it.
2. Don't bring food into church. Nursing babies excepted. I haven't had a child yet faint from not eating for 2 hours. The older ones keep the communion fast.
3. Pick up the younger ones and slowly (and unobtrusively) walk around the periphery of the church or the narthex pointing out the figures in the icons, moving to the next when the novelty of the current one has worn out. Point out the various features in the church and the action.
4. Don't stand in the very back. Wouldn't you be bored if all you could see were people's legs or backsides? (This assumes a church with no pews.)
5. If a child fusses, take them out. No one else can hear what is going on. But don't make going out fun. Settle them down in a way appropriate to age and then bring them right back in. Stress "it's important for us to be in church right now." You might go out thirty times when you first try this, but it decreases markedly over a short period of time.
6. Go to church. If you limit your time in church to a Liturgy every few weeks, your children forget how to behave from one time to the next. This is obviously a generalization, but in my experience children who are in church very seldom tend to have the worst behavior. The parents' excuse is usually, "I don't come to church very often because they act out." This is reversing cause and effect.
7. I have allowed small "church books" (about icons, saints, the church building, the services) in church and allow the child to look at them quietly, sometimes pointing out the parallels between the pictures and what we're actually doing. Once the books become projectiles, they disappear. No returns. I have had no success with anything else because when they have "toys" they play.
Each family has to tailor things like this to their own situation. And no matter what, I'm going to be in a wrestling match getting my four-year-old to church on Saturday morning after having been to 10 services in the previous week!
God bless you for bringing your children to church! "Let the little children come to Me, and do not forbid them," said our Lord.
