"... The true aim of our Christian life consists in the acquisition of the Holy Spirit of God. As for fasts, and vigils, and prayer, and almsgiving, and every good deed done for Christ's sake, they are only means of acquiring the Holy Spirit of God. But mark, my son, only the good deed done for Christ's sake brings us the fruits of the Holy Spirit..."
St. Seraphim Russian Orthodox Church
Rules of Church AttireWe are striving in our parish to follow the Orthodox Apostolic traditions to the best �f our ability and expect that all who come to our services will also attempt to do the same.
In particular it is traditional for women to wear a scarf or hat during the services as well as to wear a dress or skirt (as opposed to pants). Men should not cover their heads during the services and should wear a "casual dress": neither tuxedo nor jeans, but something in between.
No one will be cast out for violating the dress code, of course, but generally we try to dress in such a way that we neither distract ourselves nor others from prayer. Those who are aware of proper attire are asked to be very understanding of those who are not. Simply observing will make it obvious to the one who may have dressed inappropriately.
"For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the glory of God: but the woman is the glory of the man. For the man is not of the woman; but the woman of the man. Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. For this cause ought the woman to have power on her head because of the angels... Judge in yourselves: is it comely that a woman pray unto God uncovered?" (1 Cor. 11, 7-13.)
Orthodox Christians who had been baptized or in some other canonical fashion joined to the Orthodox Church may partake of Holy Communion. One must confess before communing. Confessions begin at 8:30 a.m. on the days of the Divine Liturgy and end promptly at 9:15 a.m. when the Hours begin. Children of 7-years old and younger may partake of Holy Communion without confessing.
More details could be found in the reference "Basics of the Orthodoxy" on the left of this page.
