On Fear of Prelest

[Akathist]

Thank you, I know that I have been making excuses not to go, and that I probaly should, it's just that I'm alittle afraid of doing something embarrassing or not being able to follow along with the liturgy, I know, how would I know if I've never done it?, so I guess I'll just have to garner up my guts, and take it from there and go on Sunday. Right now it just seems so far away. I also, wanted to talk with the priest, being as even if I go to DL, and get involved in EOC, I'm going away for college, and haven't a clue as to if there's any Orthodox Churches by my college.(this part worries me too.) The reason why I'm also worried is that, if I get involved in EO, if there's none by my college, I don't want to be seen as dabbler, and then not be taken seriously, when the time comes for me to move foward in my spiritual life with God and his church.

Dive right in. Here is a good plan, go to the first DL and see how many mistakes you can make! (ok, I realize that is too much.)

Show up about 10-15 minutes early to beat the rush. Go in your dress pants or kackis and wear a shirt with a collar if you have these. Otherwise, try to wear clothes, naked visitors is very distracting! (he he).

As you go in smile at people but don't expect to be met and greeted we do that more at coffee hour.

Go right up to the front. If it is a parish with pews (ick ick), then go up near the front in one of the first couple rows. (Why? No one likes to sit up there so it will help and besides you can see better there and will be less distracted by the late comers.) Try to find a place were you can see at least one other person however so you can stand up when they do, etc.

If they have pews, then sit down. When others (especially elderly stand...then try to stand but if you just feel too tired standing, sit down.) I promise that unless there is some fluke of nature you will not be struck with lightening if you sit when everyone stands!

Basicaly if the Priest is walking around with the challace or someone is carrying the bible around in front of their face you stand. You stand to say the Lord's Prayer and the Nicene Creed and a few other times. Don't worry. Just try to stand on some of these basic things until you get used to it. (When I first started I was told whenever I heard the words "Let us Attend" or "Wisdom" that meant stand up but there are other times too.)

Don't worry about it. Really, you won't get shunned by anyone for sitting at the wrong time.

Don't worry about crossing yourself. Try to if you want but don't fret if you don't get when to do it. We don't really have fixed rules.

But I think we should have one rule: No visitor should avoid coming out of fear of doing something wrong! (he he).

When the line up for the Eucharist, stay where you are.

But at the end when they line up to venerate the cross, go up. We just kiss the cross but you can just say Hi to the Priest if you want.

(I have more than once kissed the cross then aimed for the Priests hand and missed and got his sleave. They haven't thrown me out yet!) But you dont need to kiss the Priest's hand, kissing the cross is a good start.)

If they offer you a piece of bread take it. That is not the Eucharist it is blessed bread and a sign of fellowship to offer and receive it.

You can light a candle if you want as you enter into the service but you don't have to. Usually there is a place to pay for the candle so take a dollar bill and some change. (Our candles are 75 cents for the small ones and $1.25 for the big ones.) Candle lighting is nice but totally optional.

Don't worry about reading those books they have or will offer you. Just watch. Later you can read the book but at first just soak it all in.

When it is over do go down to the coffee hour even if only for a few minutes. People always want to greet guests and that is where it is supposed to be done.

Enjoy the service but don't expect stuff. Just come and see.

Here are a few things not to do: 1. Don't accidently show up late and decide not to go in. It is normal for people to come in late in our services. We run by a different time zone. My parish calls it "russian time". We get to church when we get there and we come in as inobstructively as possible for the most part.

2. Don't stand up and say "Amen" during the homily (sermon).

3. Don't kneel during a Sunday service unless everyone else is. (Kneeling is not typical on a Sunday in most jurisdictions.)

4. Don't wave your arms around over your head or dance down the aisle. (We tend to be rather somber in appearance though most of us feel great joy inside during services. We just don't express it so we are not a distraction to others.)

5. Riding an elephant into the Nave is generally not recommended either.

(Ok, I think I am done picking on you! The point is that you just need to go and relax and absorb it. And please go right away, this next Sunday otherwise you will continue to feel all nervous about going your first time . Bite the bullet and honestly, we are not likely to bite back.)

About a church near your college. This website is fantastic for finding an Orthodox Church: http://orthodoxyinamerica.org/

 

[rusmeister]

Just to reinforce/confirm what Xenia said, the bottom line is, unless you're being noisy and disruptive, no one is really going to care if you do anything "wrong". The most important thing is to show up, go in and observe. If you feel you can participate as others are, go ahead! If not, just take it in. Don't expect socializing till after the show, er, Liturgy.
OK, that's probably reinforced enough.

 

[Virgil the Roman]

Thanks, for the advice Xenia Rose & rusmeister, I hope, i'll follow it. I just got to let my folks know i'm going to an Orthodox church on Sunday instead of my family's Catholic Church. I just got to let my mom know, and hopefully, she want think I'm too crazy. (I'm her son, she already knows me well enough to think I'm almost insane/weird), but anywho, I'm sure it won't be too bad,I'll just bite the bullet and go to Divine Liturgy.