The central worship service of the Orthodox Church, celebrating the Eucharist (Holy Communion). Usually celebrated on Sundays and feast days, the Divine Liturgy consists of the Liturgy of the Word (scripture readings) and Liturgy of the Faithful (Eucharistic prayer and communion). The most common forms are the Liturgies of St. John Chrysostom and St. Basil the Great.

The evening prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at sunset. Vespers includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and incense. On Saturday evenings, Great Vespers is often combined with the Sunday Divine Liturgy. The service marks the end of the liturgical day and prepares the faithful for rest and reflection.

The sanctification of water through special prayers, creating holy water for blessing and spiritual protection. The Great Blessing occurs at Theophany, while the Small Blessing can happen throughout the year. Holy water is used to bless homes, objects, and people, serving as a tangible reminder of our baptism and God's sanctifying presence in the material world.

Brief prayer services traditionally celebrated at specific times of day: First Hour (6 AM), Third Hour (9 AM), Sixth Hour (noon), and Ninth Hour (3 PM). Each Hour includes psalms, troparia, and prayers appropriate to that time of day. These services sanctify the day and connect us to Christ's Passion, as they commemorate specific moments in His crucifixion and death.

A brief night prayer service traditionally celebrated at midnight, anticipating the coming of Christ as the Bridegroom. Also called Mesonyktikon, this service includes psalms that speak of watching and waiting for the Lord, particularly Psalms 50 and 118. The Midnight Office emphasizes spiritual vigilance and the need to be always ready for Christ's return. In monastic communities, it is celebrated between Compline and Matins. The service includes the Creed and often commemorates the departed.

A service of blessing water for use throughout the year, distinct from the Great Blessing at Theophany. Also called the Lesser Blessing of Waters, this service can be celebrated on any day and uses a similar structure to the Great Blessing but with fewer hymns and ceremonies. The blessed water is used for blessing homes, objects, and people, and is given to the faithful to drink for spiritual and physical healing. The service emphasizes water as a gift from God and a symbol of purification and life.

The morning prayer service of the Orthodox Church, traditionally celebrated at dawn. Also called Orthros in Greek tradition, this service includes the reading of the Gospel, the Great Doxology, and numerous psalms and hymns. Matins prepares the faithful for the day and is often celebrated immediately before the Divine Liturgy on Sundays and feast days.

A special Lenten service combining Vespers with communion using bread consecrated at a previous Divine Liturgy. Celebrated on Wednesday and Friday evenings during Great Lent, this service allows the faithful to receive communion during the fasting period without celebrating the full Divine Liturgy. It maintains the penitential character of Lent while providing spiritual nourishment.

The day before Palm Sunday, commemorating Christ raising Lazarus from the dead. This miracle foreshadowed Christ's own Resurrection and demonstrated His power over death. The service is joyful, anticipating the triumph of Palm Sunday and Pascha. Pussy willows are often blessed on this day in preparation for Palm Sunday.

A brief evening prayer service traditionally said before sleep. Compline includes psalms asking for God's protection through the night and prayers for peaceful rest. During Great Lent, Great Compline is celebrated with additional prayers and the beautiful Canon of St. Andrew of Crete. The service emphasizes trust in God's care during our vulnerable hours of sleep.

A lengthy service combining Vespers and Matins, traditionally celebrated on the eve of Sundays and major feasts. The All-Night Vigil includes the singing of "Lord, I Call," the Magnificat, the Great Doxology, and numerous psalms and hymns. This service prepares the faithful spiritually for the upcoming feast.

The sacrament of reconciliation through which the faithful confess their sins to a priest and receive absolution. Also called the sacrament of repentance or penance, confession restores the baptismal purity lost through sin and reconciles the penitent with God and the Church. The penitent stands before an icon of Christ while confessing to the priest, who acts as a witness and minister of God's forgiveness. The priest then covers the penitent's head with his epitrachelion (stole) and pronounces the prayer of absolution.

The celebration of Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, when crowds welcomed Him with palm branches. This feast begins Holy Week and is marked by the blessing and procession of palm branches (or pussy willows in northern climates). The service combines joy for Christ's kingship with anticipation of His upcoming Passion.

The Archangel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would bear the Son of God. Celebrated on March 25th, exactly nine months before Christmas, this feast honors Mary's "Yes" to God's plan of salvation. The service emphasizes both the Incarnation of Christ and the Theotokos's role in our redemption.

The Last Supper of Christ with His disciples on Holy Thursday, when He instituted the Eucharist. Christ washed the disciples' feet, gave them His Body and Blood under the forms of bread and wine, and delivered His farewell discourse. This meal established the central sacrament of the Church and exemplified humble service. The Vesperal Liturgy of St. Basil is celebrated.

The commemoration of Christ's death on the Cross on Holy Friday. The Church observes this solemn day with the Royal Hours, Vespers with the procession of the Epitaphios (burial shroud), and Matins of Holy Saturday. This is a strict fast day. The services emphasize Christ's voluntary suffering for our salvation and His victory over death through death.

The "Feast of Feasts" celebrating Christ's Resurrection from the dead. The most important celebration in the Orthodox Church, Pascha determines the date of all moveable feasts. The service begins with the joyful midnight proclamation "Christ is Risen!" and continues with the Divine Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

A service of prayer and supplication for specific intentions, often requesting divine help or giving thanks. Molebens can be offered for various needs: healing, safe travel, blessing of homes, or thanksgiving for answered prayers. These services demonstrate the Orthodox understanding that all aspects of life can be brought before God in prayer and that divine help is available for every human need.

A feast celebrating the miraculous spring near Constantinople discovered through the Theotokos's intercession. Celebrated on Bright Friday (the Friday after Pascha), this feast honors numerous healings that occurred at the spring. Emperor Leo built a church there in the 5th century. The feast emphasizes the Theotokos as the source of spiritual refreshment and healing through her prayers.

The Sunday after Pascha, commemorating the Apostle Thomas touching Christ's wounds and proclaiming "My Lord and my God!" Also called Antipascha or the Feast of Renewal, this day emphasizes faith through seeing and not seeing. The Gospel reading addresses doubt and faith, making it especially meaningful for inquirers and those struggling with belief.