Visiting Holy Resurrection
Church
An Invitation to Come and Experience Orthodox Worship
You are welcome to join us for any service. Whether this is your first visit to an Orthodox church or you have been exploring for some time, we invite you to come and experience the Church at prayer.
Orthodox worship may feel unfamiliar at first. Our services are shaped by centuries of Christian prayer and are experienced more with the senses than through explanation. You will hear chanting rather than spoken sermons, see icons and candlelight, and find that the service unfolds at a steady, reverent pace. Many visitors find it helpful simply to stand, observe, and take it in.
There is no expectation that visitors know what to do or participate in everything. You are free to enter quietly, find a place to stand or sit, and allow the rhythm of the service to speak for itself. Over time, the meaning of Orthodox worship becomes clearer not through instruction alone, but through returning and experiencing it again.
Holy Resurrection Church
610 S Kendrick Ave
Gillette, WY 82716
Calendar of Services
Understanding Types of Orthodox Services
The Orthodox Church offers several different services throughout the week and church year. The descriptions here explain each service, when it is typically offered, and how it fits into the life of the Church.
Divine Liturgy
The Divine Liturgy is the central worship service of the Orthodox Church, where the faithful gather to give thanks and receive Holy Communion in the life of Christ’s Body.
Orthros (Matins)
Orthros, or Matins, is the morning service of praise and preparation before Divine Liturgy. Through psalms and hymns, the Church greets the new day and proclaims the light of Christ.
Great Vespers
Vespers is the evening prayer service that begins the liturgical day. It’s a peaceful time of psalms, incense, and hymns that give thanks for the day and prepare us for the next.
Typika Reader Service
The Typika Service is a brief prayer and Scripture service led by lay members when a priest is away. Though there is no Communion, it offers time for prayer, reflection, and fellowship in the Orthodox tradition.
Vesperal Liturgy
A Vesperal Liturgy combines Vespers with the Divine Liturgy, typically celebrated on the eve of a major feast day, allowing the parish to celebrate the feast together in the evening.
Great Compline
Great Compline is a solemn evening service most often served during Great Lent and other fasting seasons. It is quieter and more reflective than many other services, marked by psalms, hymns, and extended prayers of repentance.
Royal Hours
The Royal Hours are special morning prayer services served on major feast days such as Christmas and Holy Friday. Through psalms, Scripture, and hymns, they reflect the meaning of the day in a quiet and focused way. Visitors are welcome to attend and listen, even if the format feels unfamiliar.
Visiting the Orthodox Church
Visiting an Orthodox church for the first time often comes with questions, and that’s completely normal. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often from first-time visitors to Holy Resurrection. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, please don’t hesitate to reach out or introduce yourself when you visit. We’d be happy to help.
Looking for a Christ-centered church?
The Orthodox Church is centered on Jesus Christ, His Gospel, and the life He gives to His people. Our worship, teaching, prayer, and parish life are all directed toward knowing Christ, following Him faithfully, and being transformed by His grace.
What is the Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church is the Church founded by Jesus Christ and entrusted to His apostles. Through apostolic succession, its bishops continue in an unbroken line reaching back to the apostles, preserving the faith, doctrine, sacraments, and Holy Tradition of the early Church. The Orthodox Church is not a branch of Roman Catholicism and has never been governed by the Pope, so later doctrines and practices developed within the Roman Church were not adopted by Orthodoxy.
Does the Orthodox Church recognize the Pope?
The Orthodox Church recognizes the Pope as the head of the Roman Catholic Church, but does not accept his authority over the universal Church. Orthodox bishops are understood to share the same apostolic office, with no single bishop possessing supreme jurisdiction or infallibility over all others. Because the Orthodox Church has never been governed by the papacy, later Roman Catholic doctrines and institutional developments are not part of Orthodox teaching or history.
What can I expect to see in an Orthodox service?
Orthodox worship is reverent, active, and engages the whole person. You will see icons, candles, vestments, processions, and incense; hear Scripture, prayers, and hymns; and notice worshippers standing, making the sign of the cross, bowing, and venerating icons. Much of the service is sung or chanted, with the priest, choir, and congregation praying together. Visitors are not expected to know the prayers or follow the customary gestures. The service may feel unfamiliar at first, but visitors are welcome to observe, listen, and participate as they feel comfortable.
What will I be expected to do during worship?
Nothing is required of visitors. You are welcome to stand, sit, or simply observe. Many visitors find it best to watch and listen the first few times before participating more fully.
What do Orthodox Christians believe?
Orthodox Christians believe in one God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and confess Jesus Christ as fully God and fully man. We believe that Christ became man for our salvation, died and rose from the dead, and calls us into a life of communion with God. The Orthodox faith is received through Holy Scripture and Holy Tradition and is lived through worship, the sacraments, prayer, repentance, fasting, and works of mercy. Its essential teachings are summarized in the Nicene Creed and have been preserved and handed down from the apostles through the life of the Church.
How long will Liturgy last?
The Divine Liturgy typically lasts around one hour, though this can vary depending on the feast day. Orthos, the prayer service before Divine Liturgy, is approximately an hour. In total, the parish worships together for around two hours on normal Sunday mornings when Liturgy is served.
May non-Orthodox receive communion?
Communion is reserved for baptized and chrismated Orthodox Christians who have prepared through prayer and fasting. Visitors are warmly invited to receive the blessed bread offered at the end of the service.
Parish Life at Holy Resurrection
Holy Resurrection is a growing and vibrant parish made up of both longtime Orthodox believers and those who are currently preparing to enter the Church. Our community includes folks of all ages, including young adults, families, and many children, creating a lively and welcoming atmosphere each week.
Regular Events in the Parish
Game Night
Join our parish’s youth for board games, snacks, and fun in the parish hall from 6pm – 9pm on the third Friday of the month.
Men’s Book Study
On the second Saturday of the month the men meet for food, fellowship, and discussion of a current book study. Newcomers are welcome to join at any point! Location at a parishioners house and will be announced each month. Starts at 5pm.