What Do You Want Them to "Feel"

In a recent workshop we discussed welcoming and setting expectations for guests at your parish. We asked participants to describe the environment they hope that a guest/ inquirer would "feel" in their parish when they entered the church for the first time.

Here are some answers we liked:

• "A sense of Holiness and a the presence of God."
• "An active commitment, connection and engagement with worship by those present."
• "I can can grow here."
• "I am welcome --- but I need to learn."

"My Visit to XXX Orthodox Church"

The words above are similar to the imagery we discovered in a Facebook post from a man who visited an OCA parish in a major Midwestern city a few years ago. The man, a former Catholic and the conductor of a community symphony, had valuable insight about music, history and more.

"One immediately feels as though in the presence of the "Holy" upon entering. There is reverence and awe and an overwhelming sense of peace.

One is also aware that they are witnessing something very ancient and enduring, dating from the earliest days of Christianity, some twenty centuries old. One senses a direct connection to the Apostles in the First Century. History is important.

All aspects of being a fully alive human being are addressed in the worship. Beautiful iconography, architecture, artwork, and aroma. Incense abounds! Throughout the Divine Liturgy of St. Chrysostom, left and right brain are touched equally.

The entire church chants 98% of the time, acapella, along with a trained choir. Four part harmony, and beautifully done.

During the chanting for the reception of Communion, tears began to roll down my cheek. Nothing more than a repeated 4 part mantra. Something touched me, way inside......

The preaching was solid, but devoid of anything that resembled a "show". Refreshing.

I have often said that worship should avail the uncommon, something only available in church..."

An Orthodox Moment?

More than a few Orthodox Churches are recently experiencing similar serious inquiries from persons curious about Orthodox Christianity.

A small rural parish in eastern Ohio has four catechumens. A once large - now small urban parish in St. Louis - has five catechumens. Ditto parishes in New Jersey. A rural mission in Missouri has grown to 70 persons from under thirty in the past two years. A small parish in Western Pennsylvania has many catechumens. A parish in eastern Pennsylvania has more catechumens than they had in the previous ten years. 

In a recent article describing similar experiences in other parishes, Saint Vladimir’s seminary has referred to this as an “Orthodox Moment”. 

Why is This Orthodox Moment Happening?

There is of course no single answer for why there seems to be an increased thirst for Orthodox Christianity. Some thoughts:

• Pandemic isolation is no doubt causing some to search for personal community.
• The pandemic itself has reminded people that nothing is assured and has them asking ‘ultimate questions’. (‘There are no atheists in foxholes.’)
• With time on their hands people have reevaluated their past religious affiliations or lack of same.
• Certainly the significant increase in streaming of services by Orthodox parishes has given many inquirers a peek at local Orthodox worship –reducing hesitancy to visit.

The More Important Question: What Will We Do?

Will we retreat? Continue business as usual? Can we build awareness for our parish? Can we become more accessible – literally and figuratively? Will we, as fishers of men, hope that people just jump into our fishing boat –or can and will we be active fishers of men?

Though your parish may not be experiencing an Orthodox moment as yet, it seems reasonable that there are similarly curious, thirsty people near your parish.

What can you do to improve fishing conditions?



We will continue to explore actions in future newsletters.