We’re glad you are here.

Saint Elizabeth Orthodox Church is an Orthodox Christian community of people from all walks of life, ages, races, and ethnic and economic backgrounds. We are located in Cherokee County in Woodstock, Georgia, just north of Atlanta. Whether you are a guest, an inquirer, or a visitor from another parish, we are so happy and blessed that you are here to worship the living God with us. 

We’d like to introduce you to our parish community – or, as we like to say, our parish family - and to provide you with a brief overview of the Orthodox Church and Faith. The Orthodox Church is not meant to be an ethnic club reserved just for Greeks or Russians, but rather it is the living Body of Christ, the Church for all people, and truly for all of creation. Saint Elizabeth’s Orthodox Church embodies this ideal by being truly American in her diversity of people. 

Our priest, Father Matthew Dutko, is personally available to answer any questions you may have about Orthodox Christianity, about your personal faith journey, or to speak with you if you simply need someone to be present with you and listen.

As a visitor to Saint Elizabeth, we want you to be as comfortable as possible during your time with us. It is our hope that the following information will help you feel like you are returning home and not visiting a foreign land. 

Don’t be overwhelmed! Even after a lifetime of prayer and study you could never know everything there is to know about the Orthodox Faith, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. The best way to learn about Orthodoxy is participate in the life of the Church by attending the Divine services that are offered. Orthodoxy is a living faith and the only way to really know it is by participating in it. 

Is the Orthodox Church for me?

The Orthodox Church is for everyone and you are invited to “come and see” by praying and worshiping with us! We are a community of lifelong Orthodox Christians as well as many converts from varied spiritual backgrounds. Sharing the richness of the Orthodox Faith with newcomers, inquirers, and visitors fills us with joy because sharing the fullness of the Orthodox Faith with the world is central to our mission.

Our parish family consists of all races, ages, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds, but we are all brothers and sisters united in Christ. We are part of the worldwide Orthodox Church – the oldest Christian Church in the world. This is not a theological statement, but a historical one. We are the same Church across the globe - and across time - preaching the Gospel, teaching the Lord’s commandments, and worshiping God in spirit and in Truth just as we have since Pentecost.

Don’t be afraid to ask questions about what we do and why. You might never know if you don’t ask and there is no such thing as a bad question! Our priest, deacons, and faithful are always willing to help you on your spiritual journey. We also have pamphlets in the Narthex (front room of the Church) that can help answer a variety of questions. In the atrium - where we have our fellowship, coffee hour, and Sunday school - we have a library that is free for anyone to use that offers books on Christian Church history, theology, catechism, Orthodox spirituality, inspiration, prayer, the lives of the Saints, stories about others who have journeyed to the Orthodox Faith, and much more.

When you enter our Church, you will be welcomed by a greeter or our parish priest who will give you a weekly bulletin or a service book and help you navigate your way around. Our normal Sunday service is the Divine Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, which is the Eucharistic service followed by all Orthodox Churches worldwide. You may follow the service text, or if you prefer, simply close your eyes and enter into the Church’s beautiful worship of God.

Following the Divine Liturgy, you are invited to join us for coffee hour, which is a good time to get to know our parish members and meet our priest and deacons. Your children are invited to participate in our weekly Sunday School program or any other youth activity.

Is there a dress code?

The general rule for men and women is to dress appropriately, modestly, and respectfully, because we stand before the living God. We are entering into our Lord’s House to be with Him, His angels, and all His saints, so a good way to choose your attire is to remember that we want to put our best foot forward, whatever that may be.

Visitors wear everything from jeans to suits, long dresses to skirts, tee shirts to shirts with ties, dress shoes to sneakers.

What is Orthodox worship music like?

Orthodox Church services are filled with the joyful sounds of the congregation singing praise to our God. Orthodox Churches in different parts of the world bring their own unique musical style to the symphony of the Orthodox Liturgy. Saint Elizabeth’s follows the traditions of Carpatho-Russian Orthodoxy, singing a style of music in which everyone can participate called Plainchant. Some of the hymns and melodies we sing are as ancient as the Church herself.

Following the hymns in the Orthodox Church is like taking a journey through the Scriptures and the spiritual/historical life of the Church. Our music is solemn, prayerful, and intended to lead the faithful in their worship of the living God. Don’t be bashful - feel free to sing along!

What about my kids?

Our children worship with us and we want yours to worship with us as well. If you have young children, they are as welcome here as anyone else. If you need to step to the back of the Church or into the Narthex (front room of the Church) with your child for any reason, please feel at home to do so at any time. Everyone has bad days; we understand, and your children will not be disturbing us.

We want them and you together with us worshiping God as one Body in our Lord’s House.

Sitting or Standing…

The traditional posture for prayer and worship in the Orthodox Church is to stand before the King of the universe! In the Orthodox “old countries” there are typically no pews in the churches. In America, we tend to build our churches with pews or chairs, so you are free to sit. However, it is appropriate to stand during particular times, like during the Gospel reading, the Little and Great Entrances, the Anaphora, when the priest gives a blessing, and at the Dismissal.

This might seem a bit confusing, but no one will be upset with you should you be lost or unsure of what to do. If you need or want to sit, sit. The best advice is to try and follow along with the congregation.

Lighting candles…

Lighting candles is an important part of Orthodox worship and piety. We light candles as we pray, making an offering to God that accompanies our prayers. Orthodox Christians typically light candles upon entering the Church, and all are invited to participate in this beautiful and ancient tradition.

Can non-Orthodox receive Communion?

“Eucharist” means “thanksgiving,” and is another word for Holy Communion, or the Body & Blood of Jesus Christ. Receiving the Holy Eucharist is central to the spiritual life of Orthodox Christians.

An Orthodox priest may only serve the Holy Eucharist with the blessing of his Bishop to baptized members in good standing with the Orthodox Church who have recently confessed and have fasted before partaking of the Holy Eucharist. This has been the tradition of the Holy Church for the over 2,000 years of its history.

The Orthodox Church understands the Holy Eucharist as a Mystery and as the real presence of the Body & Blood of Christ, not simply in a spiritual sense or as a memorial. Holy Communion is the very Body & Blood of Jesus Christ poured forth for the life of the world.

Although the Holy Eucharist is only for Orthodox Christians, everyone is invited and encouraged to join us in receiving a special blessed bread called Antidoron that is offered at the end of the Divine Liturgy.