Welcome
To Holy Transfiguration Orthodox Church!
4626 Fall Creek Rd.
4 miles west of Crawfordsville on SR 32, south 1 mile on Fall Creek Rd.
765/364-0809
fatheralexismiller@juno.com
OUR SERVICE TIMES ARE:
Saturday 5:00PM Great Vespers
Sunday 8:30AM Matins
Sunday 10:00AM Divine Liturgy
The Orthodox Church is the oldest and most traditional expression of Christianity. However, Orthodox worship may be a new experience for you. The most important thing to remember is that Jesus Christ is at the very center of everything we do. Following is an explanation of what you may observe in Orthodox worship.
ICONS
Icons are pictures of Christ and the saints and of events in the history of Christianity. They serve as “windows to heaven” and as objects of veneration. The second row of icons in our church displays a chronological history of God’s work of salvation through Jesus Christ.
SINGING
Almost everything in our service is sung or chanted. This tradition is a continuation of worship in the Old Testament Jewish faith and is intended to reflect heavenly worship as well. We have a saying that he who sings prays twice.
STANDING
Standing is the normal posture for worship. Benches are available for those who are not able to stand during the service.
MODESTY IN APPAREL
Men pray with heads uncovered, women pray with heads covered, as directed by St. Paul in his Epistle to the Corinthians. Men and women both practice modesty in their dress.
Reception of Holy Communion is the ultimate expression of unity with the Orthodox Church and is reserved for those members of the Church who have properly prepared themselves.
WHERE TO STAND
As a general rule, women stand on the North side of the church corresponding to the icon of Mary, the Theotokos (Greek for God-bearer) and birthgiver of God. Men stand on the South side corresponding to the icon of the Lord Jesus Christ.
THE ALTAR
Only the priest and those serving with him go into the altar area of the church building. The altar area corresponds to the “holy of holies” in the Old Testament temple and is the place where simple bread and wine are prayed over and blessed to become the Body and Blood of Christ.
VENERATION
To venerate someone or something is to show honor, reverence, and affection.
We venerate holy icons with bows and kisses. In the veneration of the icon of Christ, we worship Christ with physical expressions. In the veneration of Mary and the rest of the saints, we do not worship them but rather honor the image of Christ which is gloriously expressed in their lives.
THE SIGN OF THE CROSS
We make the sign of the cross many and various times during the service. This is a physical expression of spiritual prayer and allows our whole being to enter into worship. Holding the thumb and two adjacent fingers together we express the truth of the Trinity, one God in three persons. With the other two fingers tucked in the palm we confess the union of the two natures, God and man, in the one person, Jesus Christ. In tracing the cross on the forehead, chest and shoulders we proclaim the victory of the cross, and ask the Lord to bless our minds (forehead), our feelings (our mid-section), and all of our strength (shoulders.)
METANIA
A metania is the act of making the sign of the cross and then touching the floor. When venerating an icon, it is traditional to make two metanias before and one after.
VENERATION OF THE CROSS AND BLESSED BREAD
Everyone in attendance is invited to come forward and venerate the cross and receive the blessed bread at the end of the service. This is an expression of hospitality to visitors as well as others who are not receiving Holy Communion.
INCENSE
We offer incense up to God as a physical expression of worship. According to the prophet Malachi, “In every place incense shall be offered to My Name… for My name shall be great among the nations.” The sweet smelling smoke represents our prayers rising up to heaven. This is an Old Testament practice originally rejected by the early church because of its association with pagan worship. In the third century, the church brought back the use of incense in the Divine services.
KNEELING AND PROSTRATIONS
On Sunday we do not kneel. This is out of reverence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. On other days we may kneel or make prostrations during various parts of the service. A prostration is made by making the sign of the cross then kneeling and placing one’s forehead on the floor. This is an act of repentance, of worship, and of humility before God.
ENTERING AND LEAVING THE CHURCH
When entering the nave it is traditional to make three metanias, each time saying, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” One metania is made upon leaving the nave.
EXPLANATION
In the Orthodox Church, we believe that God is truly present in the Divine services. Therefore, we attempt do everything in a beautiful and reverent way that glorifies God. This information is provided to you as a guideline and explanation so that you will feel comfortable in worship and will understand what is taking place. If you have any questions please ask one of the members or the priest.
Orthodox Church Floor Plan
INVITATION
This has been a brief introduction. It is not meant to be a set of rules and regulations to be strictly followed. The best way to understand Orthodox worship is to experience it first hand. When you visit, feel free to just observe and participate at a level with which you feel comfortable. Please join us afterwards for what we call coffer hour, which in our congregation, is the same as lunch.
Freely Ye Have Received Freely GiveTags: architecture, attire, customs, icons, prayer, sacraments, services