General instructions:
Guests are very welcome to come and pray with us in our chapel. You may be
surprised to find that there are no pews in the middle of the chapel. This is a
Byzantine tradition, as most of our prayers are done standing. (There are also
historical reasons for the introduction of pews into many churches in the 14th
Century). You will find benches on the outer perimeter of the chapel. You are
welcome to sit down if you need to, but if you are able-bodied and someone
elderly or infirm needs to sit on a bench, please offer them your seat. It is
acceptable to sit on the floor. If you are able to stand, and a priest or nun
are incensing or processing around the chapel, please move to the middle of the
chapel to leave the perimeter open for them. Please refrain from conversations
in the chapel and keep all non-essential conversations to the narthex (vestibule).
Candles:
We have small taper candles in the vestibule of the chapel. Please feel free to
light a candle by the icon of Jesus or the Theotokos for your intentions during
Matins, Vespers, or Divine Liturgy. You can light a candle at any time during
the service, but please know that at the end of the service the candles are
blown out as a fire-safety precaution. Your candle will be relit at the next
service.
Matins, Vespers, Hours, Compline:
You will be invited by a nun to come up to the cantor stand to follow along and
pray the services with us. You are invited to sing the services with the nuns,
but please listen for the cantor and follow along as best as you can. If you
prefer, you are also always welcome to just listen. If there is a large group
and special inserts have been made, these will be given to you before the
service begins. During Matins and Vespers there is often a prolonged chanting
of the Psalms called the Kathisma, and it is customary to sit during this
section. The Hours are primarily chanted by an individual nun. We have booklets
for Compline, so you are welcome to stand or sit anywhere in the nave of the
church for this service.
Divine Liturgy:
There is usually a nun available to help you before the Liturgy begins, however
this is not always possible and it may be helpful for you to have some basic
instructions before you arrive. There are books in the vestibule of the chapel,
as well as instructions on a cork board. You will want to take a Divine Liturgy
book as well as a Marian Hymnal, and any special insert on the shelf. You are
welcome to receive the Eucharist if you are a Catholic who has been properly
prepared. The Eucharist is distributed in both species on a spoon. When you
come forward to receive the Eucharist, please come very close to the priest,
say your name, and open your mouth wide and tilt your head back. Please do not
stick out your tongue or close your mouth on the spoon. After the Liturgy,
blessed bread will be distributed, which you are welcome to receive even if you
are not Catholic.
Arriving late:
If you arrive in our chapel and there is a service already ongoing, please feel
very welcome to come and join us. You are not disturbing the service, we are
glad to welcome you.
