WORSHIP SERVICES
The Divine Liturgy is the common action of the Orthodox Church.
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Fr. Thomas Hopko
Our services maintain the ancient practices of the Church and draw us into the living, peaceful presence of God. Orthodox worship follows daily, weekly, and yearly cycles. Together these rhythms of worship create a continuous cycle of prayer, helping us to fulfill St. Paul's command to "pray without ceasing."
The modern world often asks us to bind ourselves to unending appointments, frenzied schedules, and endless to-do lists. The rhythm of Orthodox worship serves as an anecdote to all that. Through worship we remember to slow down, and we are united with an eternal rhythm: praise for our loving God who gives us the very breath we breathe. Whether you're new to Orthodoxy or deepening your faith, we hope you will step into the timeless beauty of Orthodox worship.​​​​
Worship Services at Holy Apostles
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REGULAR WORSHIP SERVICES
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Orthros (Morning Prayer)
Sundays 8:30-9:30 AM
Orthros welcomes the day with psalms, hymns, and prayers that celebrate Christ's resurrection. As morning light fills the church, we remember that Christ, the "Sun of Righteousness," illumines our world anew. This service prepares our hearts for the Divine Liturgy that follows. During major feasts, Orthros can become particularly instructional, with special hymns and biblical readings that help us enter into the day's celebration.
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Divine Liturgy
Sundays 9:30-11:00 AM
The Divine Liturgy is the crown jewel of Orthodox worship. Most commonly celebrated on Sunday mornings, this service brings heaven to earth as we participate in the Kingdom of God. The Liturgy unfolds in two main parts: the Liturgy of the Catechumens includes Scripture readings, prayers, and teaching, while the Liturgy of the Faithful centers on the Holy Eucharist. Through ancient prayers, beautiful hymns, and Holy Communion, we experience the fullness of Christian worship as preserved since Apostolic times.
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Vespers
Served selected evenings. Please see calendar for details.
Following ancient practice, Vespers, a sunset service, marks the beginning of the liturgical day. This peaceful service helps us remember God's creation of the world, humanity's fall from paradise, and our redemption in Christ. Through psalms, hymns, and evening prayers, we offer thanks for the day and prepare our hearts for the services to come. On the evening before major feasts, Vespers takes on extra significance as we prepare for the Festal Divine Liturgy to come the following morning.​
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PERIODIC WORSHIP SERVICES
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Great Compline
Great Compline is a solemn evening prayer service that reaches its fullest expression during Great Lent. The service opens with a collection of powerful Psalms focused on repentance and seeking God, and includes the deeply moving chant "God is With Us". The faithful ask for divine protection through the night hours while praying for God's mercy.
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The Pre-Sanctified Liturgy
This ancient service allows the faithful to receive Holy Communion on weekdays during Great Lent without celebrating the full Divine Liturgy, maintaining the solemn and penitential character of the season. The Holy Gifts are consecrated at the previous Sunday's Liturgy. The service combines elements of Vespers with a Communion service, creating a mystical bridge between our fasting and our need for Christ's sustenance.
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Paraklesis
The Paraklesis or Supplication Service is offered in times of sorrow, necessity or distress. It is most commonly served during the Dormition Fast, when Orthodox Christians honor the Theotokos and morn her earthly passing. Through deeply moving hymns and prayers, we ask the intercessions of the Theotokos and saints for healing, comfort and divine help.
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The Royal Hours
Served on the eves of Christmas and Holy Friday, the Royal Hours combine the First, Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours into one service. Through Psalms, prophecies, Epistles and Gospels specific to each feast, these services help us enter deeply into the spiritual meaning of these great events from salvation history.
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The Akathist Hymn
This profound poetic service centers on a long hymn of 24 stanzas, sung while standing ("akathistos" means "not sitting"). While there are now many akathists to different saints, the original and most beloved is the Akathist to the Theotokos, celebrating the Annunciation and Incarnation through deeply theological poetry. It is traditionally served in full on the fifth Friday of Great Lent.