Welcome
Your first visit
Stepping into an Orthodox church for the first time can feel like another world — candlelight, incense, unbroken singing. Here is everything you need to feel at home. The short version: just come.
What to expect
Ancient worship, living faith
Orthodox services are sung almost from beginning to end, much of it in Church Slavonic — the liturgical language Russians have prayed in for a thousand years. A full English Divine Liturgy is usually served once a month (see the schedule). You do not need to understand every word: worship here is something you enter, not a lecture you follow.
People stand for most of the service, but seats along the walls are there for anyone who needs them — please use them freely. Worshippers come and go, light candles, and venerate icons throughout; quiet movement is completely normal.
A simple beginning
Light a candle
The simplest act of Orthodox prayer: take a candle at the candle desk, light it before an icon, and pray in your own words — for the living, or for the departed. No one is watching to see if you do it “right”.
Common questions
Emphatically yes. The church is open to everyone, and visitors of every background stand alongside parishioners at every service. Russians, Kiwis, and people from every nation — the Church is for all.
Modest and neat is the rule of thumb. Many women cover their heads with a scarf (one can be borrowed at the church) and wear skirts; men remove hats. Don’t let wardrobe worries keep you away — come as you are able.
The Saturday Vigil lasts about two hours, and the Sunday Liturgy roughly an hour and a half to two hours, followed by a shared meal. It is acceptable to arrive after the start or leave before the end if you must.
Holy Communion is received by Orthodox Christians who have prepared by prayer, fasting and recent confession. If you are not Orthodox — or not prepared — you are warmly welcome at the whole service; simply remain in place when others approach the Chalice. Speak with Fr Vladimir about preparing.
Please do. Children are full members of the church and receive Communion from infancy. A little noise and movement is expected — no one will mind.
The church is at 455–461 Dominion Road, Mt Eden, with street parking on and around Dominion Road and good bus connections. Allow a few extra minutes on Sunday mornings.
Stay for trapeza
After Sunday Liturgy the parish shares a meal — trapeza — and this is the easiest place to meet people and ask questions. You will not be left standing alone in a corner; hospitality is taken seriously here.