What is expected of you in a Russian Orthodox service?

E.C.

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I always am fascinated by these differences in tradition (minuscule t). In Romanian church (ROEA in my case) it is not really possible to approach without being known ahead of time that you would because you must have had Confession that day and have been given the "go ahead". It's not a spur of the moment situation, so to say. I wonder about Russian because I know some Russians who have the same rules... I think they are ROCOR, but I'm not sure. Both my Romanian and my Russian acquaintances "gossip" on how "the Greeks are so lax" in this regard. "You could have gone to Confession three weeks ago and still be allowed to partake" (I actually don't know if that's true. Is it???)... Is OCA proper also more lax about who can approach on their own initiative?
OCA is usually once a month across the board. ROCOR is generally "before receiving Communion" which becomes either that vespers or the morning of during Hours. However, here at the ROCOR cathedral in DC they're basically on the "once every few weeks" schedule; partly because of Covid and partly due to the sheer volume of people there. The ROCOR parish I was at in California had confession during the Hours.

Antiochians and Greeks are generally less frequent. Years ago I attended a Greek church in Virginia for about six months and more recently for two months in Texas; never went to confession in either one and still received Communion. I attended an Antiochian parish, also in Virginia, for a year and a half and I think I went to confession like once?
 
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ArmyMatt

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I frequently serve as an usher, and if I or my usher partner see someone we don't recognize getting in line, we'll ask them if they're Orthodox.

whatever works to guard the Chalice
 
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KisKatte

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I am sorry to disagree. What concerns the russian orthodox church in Germany, the chief Metropolit is very strict. If you are a woman make sure to have a head covering cloth and a dress on you. I took myself some newbies into the church. But when they refused to dress accordingly the observer women talked to them with severe voices. I "hate" the observer women in our church and complainted sometimes about them(because of tha lack of empathy when somebody comes at first time). But this does not change that in our parishes the ruler is a strict Metropolit who offers opportunities to dress accordingly when you first attent the church. You can have a dress and a head cloth there at the place usually. If you would visit a serbian orthodox church you could be completely naked no one cares. :)). But I hope this won't prevent you from coming.
 
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KisKatte

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I do not want to speak wrong about our Metropolit so for the whole truth I have to say that if you are on a travel trip and do not have the clothes he personally allows to go inside in trousers. But the other priests will still try to criticize you, some of them. So then you need self confidence to protect you. It is like it is and I hope this stuff does not prevent you to discover our nice priests.
 
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