Church Etiquette

We kindly ask that everyone please abide by the appropriate etiquette listed below:

Cellular Phones and Pagers

• Turn off cellular phones and pagers before entering the Church

Church Dress Code - Modesty and neatness are encouraged.

Children:

• No shorts except for the very young.
• Only clean and tied shoes or sandals.
• No T-shirts with advertisement.

Women:

• No tank tops.
• No dresses with only shoulder straps.
• No low cut tops, no short skirts and no skintight dresses.

Men:

• Coat and tie preferred.
• Shirts should be buttoned.
• Shirts should have collars (the button on the collar may be unbuttoned).

Entering the Church

• Please arrive on time, church services begin at 10:30 AM on Sundays.
• If you are late, enter the Church quietly.
• Face the altar, cross yourself, and quietly find a seat.
• Please avoid sitting where the choir sits (front, right near the organ), unless you would like to sing.
• If the Church is full ask an usher to seat you.

Lighting Candles

• Pick up candles for offering prayers at the entrance.
• Donations for candles are an expression of our appreciation for God’s blessings and grace.
• Light the candles at the back of the Church and pray, leaving room for others to join you in prayer.
• There may be occasions when candles will not be lit.

Standing vs. Sitting

• It is traditional to stand during the whole service because, traditionally, there are no pews in Armenian Churches. This is because we stay standing in the presence of the judge and king who is enthroned upon the Holy Altar. 
• If you cannot stand for the entire service, you may follow your liturgy book for directions or sit whenever you feel you need to.

Talking Inside the Church

• It is inappropriate to talk in Church during the service or afterwards. There will always be an opportunity to converse in the hall during Fellowship Hour.
• Be aware that there may be people still praying while you are leaving.

Crossing Legs

• Do not cross your legs in Church.
• Place your feet flat on the floor, and be ready to stand up when needed.

No Food or Drink in Church

• Do not bring food into the Church.
• Do not chew gum.
• Do not bring water or other beverages into the sanctuary (for young children, it is alright to bring some snacks and drinks).

Leaving Before the Dismissal

• It is not encouraged to leave before the conclusion of the liturgy.
• After the final blessing, it is proper to go up to the priest, kiss the Holy Gospel and cross yourself.

Blot the Lipstick

• Blot your lipstick before you receive Holy Communion, or kiss the Holy Bible or the Priest’s hand and vestments. Be aware that your lipstick may stain the Bible and the hand or vestments of the Priest.