What to Expect
Upon entering Holy Resurrection, the first thing many
people notice is either the iconography or the incense.
Our walls are covered in holy images (icons) which illustrate that we are surrounded by a ‘great cloud of witnesses’ (Hebrews 12.1).
When we enter into worship we do not worship alone but come to Mount Zion and the city of the living God in the heavenly Jerusalem where innumerable angels and righteous saints worship God with us.
(Hebrews 12.21-24).
The incense is the
prayers of the saints
(Psalm 140.2 [141.2]; Revelation 5.8).
Additionally, it reminds us that worship is not a mental exercise, but involves our bodies including the five senses. Christ was incarnate as a man and both our bodies and souls are redeemed by his incarnation.
The Singing
In the services, the hymns are sung a cappella. The chanting can be unfamiliar; however, they are richly packed with the teachings of the Church. For the Divine Liturgy, much of the service is the same each week, but there are variable parts for the season. The services of Vespers and Matins include more variable portions, so throughout the whole of the year, by listening and studying the services, we are built up into the body of Christ.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is reserved for Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves through fasting, prayer, and confession. But we also set aside some blessed bread to share with visitors and those unable to partake of the Eucharist. This blessed bread is a symbol of hospitality and often someone will return from the communion line to offer it to those around them.