Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery

Guidelines for Pilgrims and Visitors

Panagia Vlahernon Greek Orthodox Monastery is a monastic community rooted in the Athonite tradition. It is a place of prayer and repentance for the brotherhood and a refuge for pious pilgrims and visitors. The grounds of the monastery itself are sanctified by these prayers and, therefore, are deserving of respect. The brotherhood, recognizing the sanctity of the environment in which we live, have composed the following rules that all guests are expected to follow in order to retain the holiness and serenity of our home.

All guests are asked to call the monastery before visiting, especially if they intend to confess or seek spiritual advice from the abbot. If no one is available to answer the phone, please leave a voicemail and one of the fathers will return the call as soon as the opportunity presents itself. Please state the purpose of your call when leaving a message.

In regard to dress code:

Guests must arrive properly dressed according to the following guidelines. Dressing in the parking lot or monastery bathrooms is not permitted (including children).
Socks (at least ankle high) are to be worn with close-toed shoes or sandals.
Sheer stockings, open-toed sandals, high-heels, or platform shoes are not permitted.
Visible piercings are to be removed.
Strong scented colognes or perfumes are prohibited, as others may be allergic or sensitive to them.

Men:

Long pants and long-sleeve shirts must be worn at all times.
Clothing with inappropriate words or images are not permitted.
Hats are not to be worn in buildings, especially the church, with the exception of those worn for health-related purposes.

Women:

Long sleeve, loose-fitting shirts that fully cover the chest all the way to the neck and long skirts or dresses without deep slits are to be worn at all times.
A headscarf that completely covers the head, hair, and neck, tying under the chin, must be worn at all times.
Lipstick and other forms of makeup are not permitted, as venerating icons, Holy Relics, and receiving Holy Communion with lipstick is disrespectful. Anyone wearing lipstick will be asked to remove it before venerating or receiving Holy Communion.

Children:

Children are expected to follow the same clothing guidelines as adults.
Shoes with flashing lights or that make noises are not permitted.

In regard to behavior on the grounds:

The abbot of the monastery is addressed as "Elder" or "Geronda" (pronounced YEH-rown-duh).
Monks are addressed as "Father."
All monastics are greeted with the phrase "Father, bless" or "evlogeite" (pronounced ev-low-GEE-teh).
It is customary to receive the blessing of the abbot or hieromonks, but not simple monks. When receiving a blessing, bow and put your hands together (like you are receiving something) and kiss the hand of the priest. Do not cross yourself or make a full prostration in front of them.
Smoking is strictly forbidden on the entire monastery property (including outside the front gate).
Cell phones and other electronic devices are to be silenced or shut off while on the grounds.
Photography and videography are not permitted inside buildings or during services without a prior blessing (permission) from the abbot directly.
Photography and videography outside buildings may not capture any of the other visitors or any monks.
It is strictly forbidden to enter the monastic living quarters, guesthouse, workshops, kitchen, or other private areas without permission.
Loud conversation and excessive laughter are not permitted.
The monastery is closed after evening services. Therefore, after the services, guests are asked to leave the property immediately. Walking the grounds, browsing in the bookstore, and visiting with other guests is not permitted.

Families:

Parents are responsible for the behavior of their children and are to supervise them at all times.
Parents are to keep their children from playing with or disturbing the landscaping (rocks, flowers, sticks, etc.).
Parents are to ensure that their children are not disruptive, loud, or running around while both indoors or outside.

In regard to the Divine Services:

All Orthodox guests are required to attend all the Divine Services unless they have been asked to assist the Fathers with an assignment during a service.
All Non-Orthodox visitors are asked to contact the monastery in advance and speak with one of the Fathers upon their arrival at the monastery if they intend to stay for any Divine Services. They will be informed where and how they can participate in the services.
Non-Orthodox guests, including Catechumens, are not permitted to receive any sacraments, Holy Water, or Antidoron (Holy Bread).
Men are asked to sit in the chairs on the right side as you enter the church and women are asked to sit on the left. Any men waiting for confession during services are asked to remain on the right side and will be called upon when it is their turn.
No food and drink, talking, or moving/saving seats are permitted in the church.
Refrain from frequently moving around or entering and exiting the church during services. Please prepare yourself accordingly before the service begins. This includes using the restroom, silencing devices, and putting away personal items.
Refrain from rummaging through bags or purses during services.
Items purchased from the bookstore are to be left in vehicles, with the exception of prayer ropes, prayer books, and other such items that will be used during services.
Refrain from loud coughing and nose blowing in the church. Step outside to take care of these things so as not to disturb others.
If you require a jacket during services, please wear something soft instead of something slick so as not to make noise when moving. Nylon and rain jackets are to be removed before services.
Only woolen/soft prayer ropes are permitted during services, not wooden or beaded ropes.
Chanting along, humming, and reciting prayers aloud are not permitted, as it becomes a distraction for others. Anyone seen or heard disturbing the service in any way will be approached by one of the Fathers and asked to be silent.
When venerating during services, please follow the order set forth by the Fathers and be prompt in your bows and veneration so as not to hold up those behind you.
Any extended private prayers and petitions should be said from your chair, not during veneration. If you desire to pray directly before an icon, you may come before the service begins. Pausing during veneration or remaining after the service is not permitted.
Stand silently and refrain from lighting candles or venerating icons during the Little and Great Entrances, the reading of the Epistle and the Gospel, the Creed, the Consecration of the Gifts (the Holy Anaphora), and the Lord's Prayer.
During the reading of the Six Psalms, please avoid any unnecessary movement, including making the sign of the cross.
After the conclusion of a service, please exit the church silently without conversations and laughter.

Families:

Parents are responsible for the behavior of the children during services, and we ask that they supervise the children at all times.
Keep children from moving around the church unnecessarily, talking, screaming, and playing in church.
Refrain from talking to the children unnecessarily as well, as this is disruptive to others and sets a bad example for the children.
If the children are noisy in any way, please take them out immediately. The services can be heard from outside the church and in the trapeza. Once they are again quiet, you are free to bring them back in.

In regard to Holy Communion:

Holy Communion is the True Body and Blood of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Just as it sanctifies and is a source of eternal life for those who partake worthily, so also it is a burning fire for those who partake unworthily. Therefore, Holy Communion is only for Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves with Holy Confession, fasting, and have the blessing of their spiritual father. If you have not properly prepared, we ask that you please not approach the Holy Chalice. For those preparing to receive, the following rules must be followed to ensure proper order, reverence, and attention at the time of Holy Communion:

Those preparing to receive must be present in the church before the reading of the Gospel.
Monastics will receive before the laity. If there are multiple chalices, follow the instructions of the Father in the middle to know where to go.
As you approach the chalice, please make your bows and sign of the Cross while the person ahead of you is receiving. Do not wait until they have finished to begin bowing or making your cross as it disrupts the flow of the line.
Stand up straight, keep your arms crossed over your chest, taking care not to bump the chalice with your elbows, and open your mouth as wide as you can to allow the priest to place the spoon into your mouth. Then, slowly close your mouth over the spoon completely without moving your head, and allow the priest to remove the spoon himself. Allow the Fathers to wipe your mouth with the red cloth before you walk away.
Do not attempt to make the sign of the cross, bow, or kiss the hand of the priest while at the chalice.
Parents with small children, please lift the children up to an appropriate height for the priest to ensure that the priest does not have to bend over while holding the Precious Gifts.
Infants must be held on the right side to allow the priest to carefully commune the child.
Those who received Holy Communion and partook of antidoron (Holy Bread) immediately after should not approach to take antidoron from the hand of the priest at the end of the Liturgy.
Those Orthodox Christians who did not receive Holy Communion should approach in an orderly line to receive antidoron from the priest.
Make any bows and the sign of the cross while the person in front of you is receiving their antidoron, not when it is your turn. Approach the priest and come close enough for him to hand you the antidoron. Make your hands into a cup and allow him to place the antidoron in them, then bow and kiss his hand before walking back to your spot.

In regard to the Trapeza (dining hall):

If there is a formal meal being held, eat silently, allowing the Father to read from a spiritual text for the nourishment of the soul during the meal.
The order of the procession entering and exiting the trapeza is as such: the abbot, the clergy, the monks, the nuns, the laymen, and the lay women. Men are to sit on the left as they enter the trapeza and women on the right.
Water and any other beverages provided are not to be consumed before the presiding priest has signaled with the bell.
At the conclusion of the meal, everyone is to exit the trapeza in the order described above. The presiding priest will stand outside the entrance to the trapeza blessing the faithful as they exit. Do not stop and kiss his hand. Continue moving out of the door and past the Fathers bowing to the side so as not to create congestion at the door.

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