Greek Church Observation Papers

My best friend, Alyssa, identifies as Greek Orthodox, so, over Spring Break, I attended a service with her. She belongs to Assumption Greek Orthodox church in Des Peres. Greek Orthodox is a denomination within Christianity. In the past, I have been to several Greek Festivals and large gatherings with her, so I was slightly familiar with the Greek atmosphere and culture. At the festivals there was a lot of Greek food, crafts, and dancing. The people are extremely proud of their Greek heritage and fully embrace it. Alyssa explained that these festivals are methods to raise money for the congregation.
The worship itself begins with the Lighting of the candles when one enters the church. Typically, members pay a dollar for a candle, as an offering, and …show more content…
Lining the walls, ceiling, and front of the sanctuary were various art images of scenes from the Bible and Saints. Greeks typically venerate these icons by lighting a candle and kissing the icon’s head. In the front of the space is the holy sanctuary where only priests and altar boys may enter. The attire is formal as women wear modest dresses or skirts while men wear collared and buttoned shirts and dress pants. The church had begun to prepare for Easter, a celebration that Alyssa explained was larger than Christmas. The congregation observes Lent by refraining from eating meat and dairy products. On Holy Thursday Greeks dye eggs red to symbolize blood. On Good Friday, the process of Christ takes place, consisting of a symbolic coffin decorated with flowers that is taken outside the church through the parking lots and streets. Everyone respects the process by kissing the coffin as kissing is a cultural part of Greek culture. At midnight Sunday morning, there is a church service where the priest spreads fire through candles to the congregation. The phrases “Christos Anesti,” Christ is risen, and “Alithos Anesti,” he is risen indeed, are