Having a church membership in a Greek Orthodox Church means you are required to attend the Liturgy of the Holy Eucharist every Sunday. If you are not a member of a Greek Orthodox church, you can still receive the Holy Eucharist. You will be able to receive the blessed bread during the Liturgy, but you will not be able to receive communion.
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Non-Orthodox present at the Liturgy are encouraged to receive the blessed bread
During the Liturgy, you will be encouraged to receive the blessed bread. This may sound like a small thing, but it is actually an important part of the rite.
The act of Communion is both a profession of faith and an act of gratitude to the Lord. The bread is a visible sign that signifies the body and blood of Christ.
Aside from the bread, the liturgy also contains other ceremonial parts. During the reading of the Gospel, for instance, you may be required to stand up, especially during the Lord’s Prayer. Similarly, during the procession of elements throughout the congregation, you may be asked to stand. In some Orthodox churches, women are still required to cover their heads.
In the sacrament of Holy Communion, Christ offers Himself to the faithful through the ministers of the Church. The clergy may only offer Communion to those in good standing with the canonical Orthodox Church.
Closed communion vs open communion
Practicing closed communion or open communion is a controversial topic among Christian churches. Although open communion may seem to be a good idea, there are some arguments against it. One reason is that it robs the sacrament of its meaning. It is also susceptible to abuse.
Open communion allows all who attend church to partake of the Eucharist during Sunday services. It is the modern version of an ancient practice. In many Baptist churches, the individual attendee is responsible for his own communion.
The Orthodox Church does not practice open communion. In fact, the Orthodox practice closed communion for a number of reasons. One reason is corporate responsibility. If unbelievers are allowed to participate in the service, they will profane the covenant of God with the whole congregation. This would lead to the wrath of God. The Orthodox Church also places reasonable limits on hospitality.
Another reason is that closed communion prevents unbelievers from being admitted to the communion table. The Heidelberg Catechism states that unbelievers should not be admitted into the church. It also states that unbelievers should be excluded until they can show that they have made an amendment to their lives.
Clothing is not appropriate for church
During a Divine Service, it is important to be well prepared and pay attention to what is going on. Dressing appropriately is just one aspect of proper preparation. Whether you are attending a religious ceremony or a wedding, you should be prepared and be aware of the dress code.
The Orthodox Church has a strict dress code. This includes no shorts, athletic shorts, or spandex. You may be turned away if you do not follow the dress code. Wearing too tight clothing is never acceptable in a church setting.
It is not uncommon for people to wear a dress shirt and a tie, but that is not a requirement. The Orthodox Church does not tolerate excessive make-up, nor is it appropriate to wear jewelry.
If you are a man, avoid wearing a hat. Also, avoid wearing bandanas or sleeveless shirts. It is not appropriate to wear words, logos, or loud ties.
For women, the appropriate clothing for the Orthodox Church includes a dress or skirt. It should be appropriate length, have the right back, and not show the leg.
COVID-19 pandemic
Whether to receive communion in the Greek Orthodox Church has been an emotive topic in Greece and other Orthodox countries. After the outbreak of the Covid-19 coronavirus, a number of clerics have voiced their concern for the church. Some clerics have urged worshipers to continue to receive Holy Communion while others have suggested that the virus is not transmitted through the sacramental bread and wine.
Several Orthodox jurisdictions have changed the way they administer the Eucharist. The Roman Catholic Church has also abandoned the practice. The Greek Orthodox Church, however, has defended the practice.
Many Orthodox clergy have been affected by the disease. In particular, older clerics are more susceptible to it. Many have been afflicted with life-threatening infections. The virus has also impeded the visitation of holy places.
Greek officials have enforced strict social distancing measures to prevent disease from spreading. In response to the outbreak, the government closed churches for two months. On May 17, the ban was lifted.
