There is a lot when it comes to the Greek Orthodox Church. What did you think?! I'd enjoy hearing your comments for everyone to learn more.

In the chalice there is the bread and wine together served on a spoon it’s is what is called the Eucharist and it is the body and blood of Christ. The red napkin is simply to make sure there are no spills or anything would cause it to fall on the floor and disrespect the Eucharist. After the service is served the Holy Bread also called the Antidoron . Only members can partake of the Eucharist but everyone one can partake of the Antidoron. The Antidoron is a bread blessed by the priest (albeit not to the extent of the one used in the Eucharist) and is a way to involve those who are not members as way for them to participate in the service although members can also take it as well.

In Greek churches here very few attend Matins (Orthros) these days, yet the service is requisite before Liturgy, according to the typikon used in Mediterranean churches. The priest is the one who gives the Gospel homily, generally, not the deacon. At communion, a red napkin (iliton, not aer) is held to catch crumbs and drips out of respect for the Body & Blood of the Lord being distributed to the people. The priest, fully vested, moves through the Royal Doors. The Deacon uses the Deacons’ Doors, unless he’s accompanying the priest, as at the Little Entrance when the deacon brings in the Gospel. Most Greek parishes in the US don’t have a deacon. They generally ordain deacons to the priesthood in a week’s time.

After the service, the people were going to a coffee hour. There's a coffee hour after church every week in pretty much every Orthodox church, usually provided by a different member of the parish weekly. It gives us an opportunity to get to know one another and the priest(s), and to build community. Community and church life are huge in the Orthodox church. Our faith is not just something we believe, it's something we are and something we do, it's our lifestyle. As a protestant that converted to Orthodoxy about 3 years ago, it was one of the things that attracted me most to the faith.

Correction - you keep mentioning “the deacon,” but the minister in cape-like vestment is the priest, who is the main officiant/leader of the service. :)

So interesting! Thank you for showing this. I have in-laws who are Greek Orthodox and I am super interested in learning about it. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. but love to learn about other relegions. Big fan of what you are doing. ; )

Oh Orthodoxy. Got to love it.

Beautiful church, I do hope it is fully restored. Thank you for taking us with you.

The bread is called antidoron and to my understanding, its the leftover bread not used in the eucharist, historically it was given to all who didn’t commune, so they’d be given a Blessing in place, but, now it’s given to all, Orthodox and heterodox alike.

Very interesting. Thank you!

I had some neighbors here in Utah that were Greek Orthodox. 2nd generation from the old country. They’ve since passed on. They were the finest people and there was always a delicious food smell emanating from their home at meal time.

Loved this review although it is sad that the church is falling apart. I grew up in a Protestant church but my 2nd great grandfather was a Greek Priest in our village in Georgitsi, Greece. He was a priest and an educator. Did a lot of chanting even back then from the bits and pieces I've heard. I did not grow up Greek Orthodox but do have some memories of attending funerals and a wedding in a few different Greek Orthodox churches. I do not speak Greek and in the church in MA that my great grandfather helped start it seemed services were all done in Greek. The only thing that I could understand in church was to stand or sit when the bells rang. 😃As a Protestant it feels strange to worship items and people (saints) . It is important to note that not all Greek churches speak only in Greek during services. Last summer when attending a Greek festival I took the church tour. The Priest was highly knowledgeable about the history of the church etc. I asked what % of the church was Greek and he said around 50 %. Their service was in English also. That makes the religion more accessible to all. You might try attending a Greek festival and take a church tour. It seems the tours happen at these festivals that may happen yearly or every other year. The shape of this church was something I have never seen but the gates at the front was also present in the church I toured in my area.

Awesome that you see Christ and the good everywhere you go.