COVID-19 Update (March 29, 2020)

While we do not have any legal restrictions in regards to our capacity, in order to maintain social distancing our maximum number for any service is 45 attendees. Any person beyond that number, who is not signed up, would have to stay outside the church part (Nave or Narthex), in order to maintain the required space between people.

Outside of Lent, we typically have two Liturgies every week: one weekday Liturgy at 8.00 am, and the normal Sunday Liturgy at 9.00 am.  This may vary depending on special feasts and celebrations. We will also have a daily Vespers (Wednesday) and Great Vespers (Saturday) at 6.00 pm. During Great Lent we typically serve Presanctified Liturgy on Wednesday and Friday night, 6.00 pm. See the calendar for service time.
 

Observe the following:

• In order to attend services you will need to “reserve a spot”.  You can do that online here. If you attend without a reserved spot, you may have to stand in the fellowship hall or bookstore area during the service.
• If you feel sick, have a fever, cough or shortness of breath – stay or return home.
• Wash your hands with water and soap or sanitizer prior to the service.
• When arriving at church you will need to “check in” by the entrance. This list of attendees is only used in-house.
• Please make sure to keep 6 feet from each other at all times (that includes the foyer, fellowship hall and the parking lot before and after the service). The exception is of course (out of necessity) when you come up for Communion.
• Families and couples (same household) should try to stand together, in order to make room for more people. 
• You need to wear a face mask while in church, except while taking Communion (or venerating icons, if you chose to do so). Singers and clergy may be temporarily exempt during the service. Children under 5 are also not required to wear a mask. You are encouraged to bring your own, but we have disposable ones available.
• Sanitize your hands before handling candles, but you may light and place them yourself as you offer up your prayers.
• When entering church, you may venerate the icons in normal order if you wish. Be attentive to your own health when doing so, e.g. people with coughs or colds should refrain from kissing the icons.
• Antidoron (“blessed bread”) is handed out by the priest at the conclusion of the Liturgy.
• High risk or vulnerable parishioners are encouraged to stay home, and contact the priest to hear their Confession and bring them Communion.

Communion in the Liturgy will happen in the following manner:

• Communion will be served for all Orthodox Christians who are properly prepared to receive.
• Do not line up close to one another, keep distance from others when approaching the Chalice. Wait until the communicant in front of you leaves before stepping up to the Chalice.
• Do not grab the cloth napkin or wipe your mouth on it. Do not kiss the Chalice. Instead move to the side and wipe your mouth with a paper napkin provided and immediately put it in the nearby bin.

If you find that services are full and you wish to attend, please let me know – as you will be given preference in future services. Also remember that you can stay in the trapeza (fellowship hall) or bookstore area if the service is full, and come in for Communion. 

Needless to say, visitors, inquirers and catechumens are also welcome to attend.

If you plan to receive Communion, prepare as you should: with prayer, fasting and recent Confession. (If you are an Orthodox visitor, please contact Fr. Andreas before coming up for Holy Communion.)

Weather permitting, we are usually having fellowship time at Blue Heron Park (in Phoenix, OR) following Sunday morning Liturgy. You are welcome to join us there and bring your own picnic basket, coffee or snacks (we are not having a potluck at this time). Remember to abide by Oregon COVID-regulations while in the park.