Services
The Holy Mystery of Marriage
In the Orthodox Church, Marriage is a Holy Sacrament (Mystery) in which a man and woman are united by God into one life in Christ. It is not merely a social event, but a sacred act of worship — a joyful entry together into the life of the Kingdom. Below you will find practical information to help you prepare for your wedding in a way that reflects the beauty and holiness of this Mystery.
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1. Scheduling
Couples preparing for marriage should first contact the Parish Priest to discuss possible dates. Certain seasons of the Church year are not suitable for weddings — such as during the fasting periods or on great feast days, when our focus is directed toward repentance and worship.
Most times of day are acceptable, and the service generally lasts between 45 minutes and one hour.
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2. Pre-Marital Preparation
Before the wedding day, couples are required to meet with the Parish Priest (or a designated catechist) for pre-marital instruction. These meetings — usually two or three, though more may be arranged if needed — provide spiritual and practical guidance for Christian marriage, grounded in the Church’s teaching and sacramental life.
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3. Items to Bring
Please bring:
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Two wedding rings, to be exchanged during the service.
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Two candles, symbolising the light of Christ that will guide your life together.
The parish does not provide decorative candles for weddings or baptisms. You are therefore welcome to purchase or make your own.
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4. Wedding Crowns (Stefana)
The crowns used in the service — symbols of both the joy and responsibility of married life — are provided by the church. However, couples may choose to purchase or bring their own, if desired.
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5. Decorations
Floral arrangements, bows, or other decorations are welcome, provided they are tasteful and respectful of the sacred space. Please ensure someone from your wedding party is responsible for removing all decorations after the service.
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6. Photography and Videography
Photographers and videographers are welcome to record the service but must follow the protocols established by the Parish Priest.
Group photos after the ceremony are encouraged, and we recommend allowing time in your schedule to capture these moments within the church.
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7. Rehearsal
A wedding rehearsal is highly recommended, particularly if members of your wedding party are unfamiliar with the Orthodox service. This rehearsal allows everyone to understand their roles and provides an opportunity to discuss any customs or traditions you wish to include.
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A Final Word
The Church rejoices with you as you prepare for this sacred beginning. The Mystery of Marriage is not only a union between two people but also a witness to God’s love for His Church. Approach this day with prayer, humility, and joy, trusting that the grace of Christ will sanctify and strengthen your life together.
The Holy Mystery of Baptism
In the Orthodox Church, Baptism is the Holy Mystery through which a person is united with Christ, cleansed of sin, and born anew into the life of the Church. Whether for infants or adults, Baptism marks the beginning of a new life in the Body of Christ — sealed by the gift of the Holy Spirit through Chrismation.
Below you will find practical information to help you prepare for this sacred event, whether for an infant or an adult catechumen.
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Baptism of Infants
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1. Scheduling
Infant baptisms may take place any time after 40 days from birth. In cases of medical necessity, this requirement may be waived, and the baptism can be performed immediately.
Ordinarily, we recommend scheduling the baptism when the child is between 3 and 6 months old. The full service generally lasts about 45 minutes.
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2. Godparent / Sponsor
Each child must have at least one Godparent (Sponsor) who is an Orthodox Christian in good standing, having received recent Confession and Holy Communion.
The Godparent’s sacred role is to:
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Speak on behalf of the child during the renunciation of Satan and confession of faith in Christ.
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Recite the Creed of the Orthodox Church.
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Guide and support the child’s spiritual growth, especially through prayer and example, in partnership with the parents.​
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3. Items to Bring
Traditionally, the Godparent provides the following:
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A towel and/or blanket for the child.
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A baptismal cross, to be blessed and worn thereafter.
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A candle, symbolising the light of Christ that will guide the newly illumined through life.​
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Baptism or Chrismation of Adults
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Adults entering the Orthodox Church do so through Baptism, Chrismation, or Reception by Confession of Faith, depending on individual circumstances and in consultation with the Parish Priest.
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1. Scheduling
Adult baptisms or chrismations may be celebrated on any day, though it is most fitting for them to occur on the eve of or immediately before the Divine Liturgy — especially on a Sunday morning.
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2. Godparent / Sponsor
At least one Godparent (Sponsor) is required, who must be an Orthodox Christian in good standing, having made a recent Confession and Communion.
Their duty is to support and guide you as you unite yourself to Christ and enter fully into the life of the Church.
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3. Items to Bring
Please bring the following:
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A Cross and a Candle, typically gifted by your Sponsor.
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For those being baptised, towels will also be needed for drying off after immersion.​
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4. What to Wear
For Chrismation, it is traditional to wear white clothing, symbolising purity and new life in Christ. Shoes and socks should be removed before the anointing.
For Baptism, white garments are worn after immersion in the font.
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Men: modest white shorts with a white shirt.
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Women: modest, loose-fitting white gown.
Please have extra towels and a change of white clothing ready for drying and vesting after the service.
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A Final Word
The Holy Mystery of Baptism is a profound entrance into the divine life. Through water and the Spirit, we die and rise with Christ, becoming citizens of His Kingdom. Approach this Mystery with reverence, prayer, and joy, entrusting yourself or your child to the loving care of our Lord and His Holy Church.
Funerals and Memorials
In the Orthodox Church, the Funeral Service is not merely a farewell to the departed, but a profound act of prayer and hope — a confession of faith in Christ, who has trampled down death by death. The Church surrounds her faithful at the hour of death with prayer, reverence, and love, commending their souls to God and comforting those who mourn with the promise of the Resurrection.
Below are the key steps and traditions observed when preparing for an Orthodox Christian funeral.
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1. At the Hour of Death
When a loved one approaches the hour of death, the Church offers special prayers for the newly departed. If possible, the Parish Priest should be called to pray at the bedside — at home, in hospital, or wherever the person lies.
If death is imminent, do not hesitate to contact the Priest at any hour, so that the prayers and anointings of the Church may be given in time.
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2. Burial
The Orthodox Christian form of interment is burial, following the example of our Lord’s own burial and in hope of the general resurrection.
Cremation is not permitted in the Orthodox Church, as it contradicts the sacred respect due to the body, which is the “temple of the Holy Spirit” and destined for resurrection.
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3. Headstones and Monuments
Orthodox headstones are traditionally marked with the Sign of the Cross, either as the main shape of the monument or clearly engraved upon it. This stands as a lasting confession of faith and victory over death.
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4. The Wake Service
On the evening before the funeral, during the period of visitation, the Church offers a brief Wake Service — a memorial of prayer and comfort, lasting approximately 20–30 minutes.
It is usually held near the end of the evening, either in the church or at the funeral home, and includes hymns, psalms, and readings that proclaim hope in Christ and peace for the departed soul.
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5. The Funeral Service
The Funeral Service is generally celebrated in the morning of the day of burial, though other arrangements may be made if necessary.
The departed is brought to the church in the casket, which is placed before the Holy Altar, facing it — symbolising the person’s final journey toward the presence of God.
The service includes:
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Prayers for the forgiveness and repose of the soul.
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Reflections on the meaning of life and death in Christ.
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Hymns of hope in the resurrection and the promise of eternal life.
At the conclusion, the faithful are invited to come forward for the “final kiss” — a personal farewell to the departed brother or sister in Christ. The casket is then closed and carried solemnly to the hearse, and from there to the place of burial.
The funeral service typically lasts 45 minutes to one hour. Families may also request that a Divine Liturgy be celebrated before the funeral, which adds approximately one additional hour.
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6. The Mercy or Memorial Meal
Following Orthodox tradition, families are encouraged to host a memorial meal (often called a Mercy Meal) after the funeral. This meal is offered in memory of the departed, as an expression of charity and thanksgiving to God.
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7. Post-Funeral Memorials
The Church continues to pray for the departed long after the day of burial.
For the first forty days, the person’s name is remembered at every Divine Liturgy. On the 40th day, a special Memorial Service (Mnemosyno) is held, honouring the soul’s passage into eternal life.
In many Orthodox traditions, additional memorials are also held at:
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Six months,
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One year, and
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Each anniversary thereafter.
These memorials are blessed occasions for prayer, remembrance, and the offering of mercy meals, affirming our ongoing love and hope in Christ’s victory over death.
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A Final Word
Every Orthodox funeral is an act of faith in the words of Christ:
“I am the resurrection and the life; whoever believes in Me, though he die, yet shall he live.” (John 11:25)
In this hope, the Church prays for her children, trusting that the Lord will grant rest “in a place of brightness, a place of refreshment, a place of repose, where all sickness, sorrow, and sighing have fled away.”