Thanks for the replies! I asked this question because there is an Orthodox Church nearby and since I have never been inside of one I want to know if it was okay for me to visit. If I do go should I bow to the altar?
I hope you do visit. You should dress modestly and maybe be prepared to cover your head if you are female. If you are female best wear a dress/skirt. There’s a lot of variation on what is expected. Be a thoughtful visitor.
The Holy Icons on icon stands are what are venerated when you enter an Orthodox Church, bowing and making the sign of the cross and kissing the icon. Some people also light candles, long thin tapers made of bees wax available at the entrance, and put them around the Icons on stands, If you feel uncomfortable doing that, that’s fine, don’t do it. I’m sure when you enter you will know immediately that you are in a sacred space and will show a natural respect and awe. There is no holy water as Latin Rite Catholic churches have at the entrances but making the sign of the cross is certainly the appropriate gesture, as you will quickly see.
I think most Orthodox Churches in America are unlikely to be open during the day except in conjunction with a service, others can say if that is not typical, so you’d probably visit at a time when others are entering and you can observe what they do upon entering. There is reserved the True Presence in a tabernacle on the altar behind the Icon screen, iconostasis, which you might not see easily when you enter.
bkovacs mentions going for Vespers. If you go to Vespers or Matins for example then there is no issue about communion. These are beautiful services. If you attend any service be prepared to stand for a long time
(Standing is the normal prayer posture, with some exceptions.)
At Divine Liturgy in addition to the holy Eucharist there is blessed but unconsecrated bread, antidorion, which all share in, and you can eat, assuming you have kept the fast. So don’t freak out if someone hands you a cube of bread. It’s the antidorion. Enjoy it.
There is a lot of repetition so as you listen to what is being sung you should be able to join in singing along some of the time. FYI: when the deacon says “Let us complete our prayer to the Lord.” the Liturgy is far from over
Most Orthodox are very glad to have visitors and will be very welcoming. You can ask questions at almost any time. It’s not inappropriate to speak to someone, for example, during prayers, which are sung. I don’t mean you’d get into a discussion, but if you aren’t sure if you should do something, ask. People stand and sit as they choose to do so. People come in at different times. There isn’t a single uniform thing that everyone does, with few exceptions such as standing for the Gospel, and sitting for the homily. Sitting may be directly on the floor.
They will probably have some print material they can give you about such things as the iconostasis, and about Orthodoxy.
