Rules of Conduct in an Orthodox Church

• Arrive at church before the beginning of the service.
• Upon entering the church, make the sign of the cross three times.
• Do not linger at the entrance, as this hinders others from entering.
• The ancient church custom is for men to stand on the right side and women on the left.
• Talking is not allowed inside the church either during the service or after it ends.
• Handshakes are unnecessary in church, and women should not kiss hands at all.
• Worshippers should come to church dressed appropriately according to their gender.
• Those who arrive late should quietly proceed forward without pushing others.

Do not move around, buy or light candles, or venerate icons during the most important moments of the service:

At the All-Night Vigil:

• When the priest exits with the censer during Vespers.
• During the reading of the Six Psalms.
• When the priest comes out with the Holy Gospel and during its reading at Matins.
• During the singing of the “More honorable than the Cherubim” and the Great Doxology.

At the Divine Liturgy:

• During the Small and Great Entrance.
• During the reading of the “Prayer for the Salvation of Russia.”
• During the reading of the Gospel and the singing of the Creed (“I Believe…”).
• During the Eucharistic Canon, from the “The mercy of peace” until the priest’s blessing “And may mercy be upon us all.”
• During the singing of the “Our Father…”.