Even Ecumenists hate Ecumenism. Don't confuse Official with Canonical. Come and see...
St. Ieronymos of Aegina, Glorified in the True Church
Please power off cell phones in the temple! You may think it's important and that you can't be without it, but you will survive.
Acquire and cultivate a spirit of Hesychia
Some considerations before you visit
Code of Conduct
Comfortable vs. casual
Dress:
There was a time when wearing one’s “Sunday best” was an opportunity to leave the mundane and enter a unique experience of nobility and dignity. Today, the worship of youth has young and old alike clamoring to lower every standard of dress to the most casual level. In Church, Men should wear clean clothes including long sleeve shirts and slacks. Think about what you might wear to a formal dinner. Shirts should, as much as possible, be free of advertisements and crass commercialism. However, it is not necessary to wear a coat and tie. Women should wear either a dress or skirt that falls below the knee. Dresses should be dignified without revealing slits on the legs, open backs, sleeveless or with low-neck lines. The same applies to girls. Additionally, women and girls should wear the traditional scarf over their hair. If you do not have any in your wardrobe, we have a small selection of them available for you. Women should cover their hair, but men should not wear hats in the Temple. Certain of the clergy wear hats as a part of their vestments but, generally speaking hats are not allowed in the Temple. Lastly, we use incense in all our services. This means that we all smell the same way. So, it’s not necessary to wear heavy colognes or perfumes. In fact, it would be best not to. If we all abide by these simple guidelines, we accomplish something that Christ Himself prayed for, Unity. Also, the relative uniformity brought about by this dress code helps us all to focus on what we came to the temple to do…Pray!
Conduct:
We post our service schedule both on our website, and on our Facebook page. We also make available a liturgical calendar which indicates the scripture readings, Saints commemorated and culinary rules for each day. We expect visitors to be punctual. When we come together to worship, we are practicing the commandment: “Thou shalt Love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might.” When we are careless, arrive late or unprepared, disrupt the service, and draw attention to ourselves, we show disregard for this supreme commandment.
It is traditional that worshippers stand in the presence of God. Orthodox prayer is offered standing. One way we show reverence for God and Holy things is to remain at attention in their presence. You will not see pews in our temple. We do have some chairs for those who need them though. And there are times during the service when it is okay to sit if necessary. But, if you chose to sit either in the nave, where the worshippers gather, or in the Trapeza where we have meals together, it is best to sit with feet on the floor. Sitting with crossed legs indicates a relaxed, casual disposition. We want you to be comfortable not casual.
Conversation:
When we come to the Temple, we are a part of a conversation; one with our Creator. We should not be having any private conversation amongst ourselves. Talking is a distraction which causes all involved to miss moments of the service which have the power to heal, save and transform. When we come to church, we greet God, the saints and each other with our arms crossed over our chest and with a bow. Conversation can be had later after the common meal.
Beyond the above mentioned, there will be many things for you to learn while you visit. Please look at what we have listed here as an aid to getting to know us and not an obstacle. If you have any questions, health issues or concerns please contact me without hesitation.
In Christ,
Fr. Methodius
Birth of the Baptist Orthodox Church
102 West Main Street, Suite 2, Pinckney, Michigan 48169, United States
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