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INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARISHIONERS INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEDDINGS, DIVORCES, BAPTISMS, FUNERALS, AND MEMORIALS THE SATURDAY OF SOULS, GENERAL MEMORIALS
CHRISMATION IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH FASTING HOLY COMMUNION
FORTY DAY BLESSING SERVICE FINANCIAL SUPPORT RENTAL OF CHURCH FACILITIES  
ALTAR FLOWERS. ALTAR CANDLES, AND LOAVES OF OFFERING WORSHIP  

INSTRUCTIONS FOR PARISHIONERS  TOP
The religious, moral and social duties of a parishioner are to apply the tenets of the Orthodox faith to his or her life and activities, to seek personal spiritual growth, to attend the Divine Liturgy and other services of worship faithfully on Sundays and holy days to keep the rules and fasts of the Orthodox tradition, to receive frequently the sacraments of Penance and Holy Communion, to train and teach the young according to the faith and spirit of Orthodoxy, to respect the clergy. the ecclesiastical authority, and all governing bodies of the Church, to be obedient in matters of faith and ecclesiastical order, and to cooperate in every way towards the welfare and prosperity of the Parish and the success of its mission.

In addition to the other duties and obligations, a parishioner shall offer such regular stewardship obligations and special assessments as the Parish may establish, or to make an annual stewardship pledge. 

INSTRUCTIONS FOR WEDDINGS, DIVORCES, BAPTISMS, FUNERALS, AND MEMORIALS TOP

Weddings

For the Sacramental union of a man and a woman to be proper in the eyes of the Church, the marriage must be conducted in the Orthodox Church. For such an ecclesiastical marriage to be valid, the following must be adhered to:

    1.  No impediment to marriage may exist

    2.   A civil marriage license must be obtained from civil authorities

    3.   An ecclesiastical marriage license must be obtained from the Greek Orthodox Diocese

    4.   The Sacrament of marriage must be celebrated by an Orthodox priest according to the liturgical tradition of the Orthodox Church

    5.   The priest must belong to the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. However, a marriage performed in another Orthodox jurisdiction in communion with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese is also recognized as valid by the Archdiocese

    6.  The priest must receive authorization for the marriage from his Diocesan Bishop

    7.  Before requesting permission from the Bishop for the marriage, the priest must verify:

        a)  That the parties in question are not already married in this country or elsewhere

        b)  That the party or parties who are members of another parish obtain a certificate of membership from the parish to which they belong

        c)  That if either or both parties are widowed that he or she present the death certificates of the former deceased spouse{s}

        d)  That if either or both parties have been divorced and/or have remarried civilly or into another faith that they present the appropriate certificates

    8.  No more than a total of three marriages will be allowed by the Church

    9.  When one or both of the parties are divorced, they must obtain an Ecclesiastical divorce in order to marry again in the Church.

    10.  In the case of an inter denominational marriage, the non-Orthodox partner must be a Christian who has been baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity by a recognized Christian Church. A marriage cannot take place in the Orthodox Church between an Orthodox Christian and a non-Christian .

    11.  In the case of inter-denominational marriages between an Orthodox Christian and a non-Orthodox Christian, the marriage must be celebrated by a Priest in the Orthodox Church according to the Orthodox tradition.

    12.  The sponsor (Koumbaros or Koumbara) must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing with the Church. A person who does not belong to the parish, or who belongs to a parish which is not in communion with the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese or who, if married, is not married in the Orthodox Church, cannot be a Sponsor. Non-Orthodox persons however, may be Members of the wedding party.

Baptism
A person who wishes to sponsor a candidate for Baptism and or Chrismation in the Church must be an Orthodox Christian who is a current member of an Orthodox Parish and who is in good standing with the Orthodox Church. A person who has been married outside the Church may not be a godparent. Baptisms may not be conducted on the following days unless it is absolutely necessary and permission is obtained from the Diocesan Bishop.

    1.  December 25 to January 6
    2.  Holy Week
    3.  Major Feast Days

Funerals
Funerals services are allowed any day of the year, except on Sundays. Sunday funerals are allowed if absolutely necessary and permission is obtained from the Diocesan Bishop.

Memorials
Memorial services may not be held on the following days:
    1.  From the Saturday of Lazaros through the Sunday of St. Thomas.
    2.  All the Feast days of our Lord
    3.  August 15
It is highly recommended that Orthodox Christians offer memorials for their loved ones on the several Saturdays of the Souls which are set aside throughout the year
 

THE SATURDAY OF SOULS, GENERAL MEMORIALS TOP
Besides the traditional forty day, three month, six month and annual memorials, four Saturdays a year are set aside when General Memorial Services are conducted for all the departed souls. The names of the departed should be submitted on these days together with boiled wheat (koliva) for commemoration and remembrance. These services are conducted following Divine Liturgy on Meat Fare Saturday, Cheese Fare Saturday, the first Saturday of Lent, and the eve of Pentecost.

CHRISMATION IN THE ORTHODOX CHURCH TOP
Adult non-Orthodox persons married to Orthodox Christians or anyone who desires to investigate the Orthodox Church should contact the church office. Each year our parish sponsors a six-week Inquiry class for persons interested in learning more about our faith.

FASTING TOP
The fast rules of the Church require abstention from meat, dairy products, eggs, fish and olive oil, in accordance with the individual’s strength and ability every Wednesday, and Friday, during Great Lent and Holy Week, for the Apostles Fast in June. the Dormition of the Theotokos: August 1st to August 14th, the Christmas Advent Period and on other days as specified in the Church Calendar.
 

HOLY COMMUNION TOP
Holy Communion is the bread and wine sacramentally transformed into the body and blood of our Lord and offered to the faithful during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy for the forgiveness of sins and for the granting of eternal life.

Baptized Orthodox Christians are invited to receive Holy Communion at every Divine Liturgy. The faithful prepare to receive Holy Communion by prayer. examination of conscience, confession of sins and fasting. The celebrant administers Holy Communion with both elements.

FORTY DAY BLESSING SERVICE TOP
In accordance with the life of our Lord (Luke 2:22-40)and the practice of the Orthodox Church, parents bring their new-born child to be offered to God before the Holy Altar on the fortieth day after birth or on the Sunday nearest the fortieth day. The priest should be notified in advance and an appointment made for the service. Be sure to bring a camera.
 

FINANCIAL SUPPORT TOP
Baptized and chrismated members of the Orthodox Church shall contribute financially for the Archdiocese, Diocese and local parish through the Fair Share Stewardship Program. The Fair Share Stewardship Program gives every family the opportunity to support their church based on their love, faith and economic ability. Free will offerings and special collections are encouraged.
 

RENTAL OF CHURCH FACILITIES  TOP
The Church Hall in the lower level of the Church edifice and the large multipurpose Hellenic Community Center are available for rental. For information, rental fees, reservations and arrangements, phone the Church office.

ALTAR FLOWERS. ALTAR CANDLES, AND LOAVES OF OFFERING TOP
Parishioners are invited to donate the altar flowers, altar candles, and loaves of offering (Prosforon) each Sunday. For information, phone the Church office.

WORSHIP TOP
Offering glory, honor, praise, petitions, hymns, and worship to God on a daily and weekly basis is the responsibility of the baptized, chrismated, dedicated and practicing Greek Orthodox communicant. The primary worship service of the Church is the Sacrament of Holy Communion, which is the Divine Liturgy. In addition, we have the Martins Service, the Vesper Service, the services of Supplication, the Salutation Service. the Holy Water Blessing Service, the Sacrament of Healing and Blessing of Five Loaves.