Things to know before attending Divine Liturgy

[-Kyriaki-]

My Greek parish has the priest handing out antidoron - two lines either side of the priest in the center. He holds the antidoron, and we kiss the hand which is holding it and then take it and eat it. The antiochian parish I used to attend had us kissing the Cross at the end and then taking our own antidoron

But practice changes parish to parish. Just relax and have fun The basic format of the service is just like a traditional Catholic mass, so you'll have some idea of what's going on, but mostly just listen and observe and enjoy

 

[HandmaidenOfGod]

In Greek parish's, only the Bishop can hold the cross for people to come up and venerate. The tradition is usually for priest's to hand out antidoran as people leave. (I sort of like this better, as newcomers may feel uncomfortable venerating the cross, but no one will usually refuse blessed bread.)

In Slavic parish's, the tradition is for people to venerate the cross, and usually an altar boy will stand with a bowl or plate of antidoran for people to take as they leave.

 

[MariaRegina]

Some jurisdictions do things differently. In my parish (Antiochian) we venerate the cross, but the priest doesn't hand out antidoron (we get that on our own after communing and venerating the cross). The few times I've been to Greek parishes I've been given antidoron by the priest, but there wasn't a cross to venerate. I do know they venerate the cross sometimes after Divine Liturgy, but I don't think it the usual occurrence. It is why I asked to be corrected if I'm wrong about it. Gwendolyn is going to be going to a Greek parish, which is why I brought it up.

On the Feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, and on the Sunday in Great Lent (Holy Cross Sunday), the Greek Orthodox Priest does hold the Holy Cross with a piece of blessed basil. This is the only time I have seen the Greek Orthodox Priest hold a cross. The Altar boys hold the Antidoron to the side of the Priest. The people first kiss the Holy Cross and then the hand (fingers) of the priest.