Visiting a church, especially if you are rarely there, is a special event; you should prepare for it in advance. You need to learn the rules of conduct during the service, the requirements for clothing and make-up, as well as spiritually.
Going to the temple, you need to get dressed correctly. Clothing should be neat and clean, without deep cuts and transparent inserts. Women are better off wearing a long skirt (below the knee), a dress with long or medium sleeves, men should also not come in shorts and a T-shirt. Upon entering the temple, women should wear a hat (shawl, hat, hat), and men, on the contrary, take off. Makeup should be modest, it is better not to paint lips. In some churches, if these conditions are not respected, they simply will not let you in.
Read in advance the rules of conduct in the church, they are common to all Orthodox churches. At the entrance, you must cross three times with your right hand, bowing to the icon in the belt. Do not be baptized with gloves or mittens. Unplug your cell phone while you are attending church, don’t talk loudly or push around. You can’t turn your back on the altar and enter it.
If you plan to attend church with the children, explain to them in advance that you cannot laugh, be naughty and run around in the church. Calm the crying child or leave the temple so as not to interrupt the general prayer.
Do not forget to bring money. Each church has a candle box - a place where believers are offered to buy candles, books, icons, crosses and other articles of faith. Here you can order prayers, holy days, christenings, funeral services, weddings, commemoration of health and repose - for a fee. Photography in some temples is also paid. The larger and more famous the temple, the more parishioners it has, the higher the price of services.
There is a myth that women on critical days should not attend the temple. This is not so, these days you can go to church, put candles, pray and submit notes, but it is better to refuse to participate in weddings, baptisms, communions (although this is not a strict ban).
