Preparing for Illumination
Before being received into the Church please fill out the following form in order to keep Fr Yuri informed on the details of your journey.
(More info available below)
Choosing a Patron Saint
Choosing a patron saint is customary when entering the Orthodox Church. This saint becomes your special advocate, offering prayers and care. Take time to pray and consider which saint you'd like as your patron. Your chosen saint's name becomes your Church name. Some opt for their own legal name as their patron saint, while others select a saint who holds personal significance to them.
Godparent(s)
In Orthodoxy, every new member is supported by at least one Godparent (or Sponsor). This person plays a vital spiritual role, praying for and being an example of Christian living for you. The bond between Godparent and Godchild is so sacred that the Church views you as blood family. It is traditional for an adult to take a Godparent/Sponsor of the same gender.
Life Confession
Before being received into the church, you’ll have a personal "Life Confession." It's not as intimidating as it sounds! You and the priest will stand together in front of an Icon of Christ. After a brief prayer, he’ll if there's anything in your life you'd like to bring to the Lord. You'll bring forward patterns of negative and destructive behavior that have strained your relationship with God and others. Some prefer to write out their confession word for word and tear it up afterward, while others jot down a short list or prompt. Yet others prefer to speak freely. There's no right or wrong approach as long as you’re reflecting on your own actions and not the sins of others. There will be ample time in the coming weeks to schedule a life confession for you.