Christ is in our midst! · المسيح بيننا
Frequently Asked Questions
Everything a first-time visitor or curious neighbor might wonder — service times, Holy Communion, what to wear, becoming Orthodox, Sunday School, giving, and the Mediterranean Festival. If your question isn't here, just ask.
Below are the questions we're asked most often. You're always welcome to reach out to the parish office, use the chat in the corner of any page, or simply come and see for yourself this Sunday.
Visiting & Your First Sunday
Do I have to be Orthodox to visit Saint Elias?
Not at all. Our services are open to everyone, and visitors are genuinely welcome — Orthodox or not, believer or seeker. You are free to simply observe and pray. "Come and see" has been the invitation of the Church from the very beginning.
Is there a dress code? What should I wear?
There is no dress code. Come as you are. Some people dress formally out of reverence, while many come simply and comfortably — both are completely at home here. What matters is that you came, not what you wore.
When should I arrive for my first Sunday?
The Divine Liturgy begins at 10:00 AM, with Orthros (Matins) beforehand at 9:00 AM. Arriving around 9:45 AM gives you time to find a seat and settle in. If you're running late, don't worry — slip in quietly and join us wherever we are.
Where do I park?
There is free on-site parking at the church, 7580 Pierce St, Arvada, CO 80003, with an accessible, step-free entrance. A greeter near the door will welcome you and point you toward everything you need. For a map and driving directions, see our contact & directions page.
Is the church wheelchair accessible?
Yes. There is an accessible, step-free entrance for anyone who needs it, along with free on-site parking. If we can help you plan your visit, please reach out through the parish office.
How long does the Divine Liturgy last?
The Divine Liturgy runs about 90 minutes. There is no intermission, but you are always free to step out quietly if you need a moment or to tend to little ones.
Where should I sit as a first-time visitor?
Sit wherever you like. Many first-time visitors choose a spot toward the back, where it's easy to observe, stand and sit at your own pace, and slip out if needed. There are no reserved pews and no wrong place to be.
What happens after the service?
Everyone is invited to coffee hour in the parish hall right after the Divine Liturgy — coffee, food, and plenty of conversation. It's the easiest place to say hello, ask a question, and be welcomed. If you're visiting, please stay; there's always a seat waiting for you.
Is the service in English or Arabic?
Primarily English. Saint Elias serves a warm Arabic-speaking community, so you'll also hear portions and hymns chanted in Arabic — a reminder of the Church's ancient roots in Antioch. You'll have no trouble following along in English.
Worship & Services
What are your service times?
Great Vespers is Saturday at 3:00 PM. On Sunday, Orthros (Matins) is at 9:00 AM and the Divine Liturgy is at 10:00 AM, with coffee hour following. Weekday feast-day liturgies are added through the year — see the full schedule.
What is Great Vespers?
In the Orthodox Church the day begins at sunset, so our week of worship opens on Saturday evening with Great Vespers at 3:00 PM. We sing the ancient hymn "O Gladsome Light," offer incense, and read the psalms that have been the Church's evening prayer since the beginning. Newcomers often find Vespers the easiest service to visit first.
What is Orthros or Matins?
Orthros (Matins) is the Church's morning service of praise, prayed on Sunday at 9:00 AM. It unfolds gradually with psalms, the resurrection Gospel, and the canons and hymns of the day, leading without a break into the Divine Liturgy. You're welcome to arrive at any point during Orthros.
What is the Divine Liturgy?
The Divine Liturgy is the heart of our worship — the whole parish gathered around the altar to offer thanksgiving and to receive Holy Communion. It lasts about 90 minutes, is sung almost from beginning to end in English and Arabic, and follows the rhythm of prayers the Church has offered for more than a thousand years. You don't need to know when to stand or sit; simply pray with us.
Do you have weekday or feast-day services?
Yes. Alongside the weekly cycle, the parish celebrates the great feasts and saints' days through the year with feast-day liturgies. Dates and times vary — please watch the calendar each month for the exact schedule.
What happens during Holy Week and Pascha?
The parish celebrates the full cycle of Great and Holy Week in English and Arabic — from Lazarus Saturday and Palm Sunday, through the Bridegroom services, Holy Unction, and the Passion Gospels, to the midnight Resurrection Liturgy of Pascha. Exact dates shift each year, so please confirm the current calendar.
What are the Orthodox fasting seasons?
The Church keeps four longer fasts — the Nativity Fast before Christmas, Great Lent before Pascha, the Apostles' Fast after Pentecost, and the Dormition Fast in early August — as well as most Wednesdays and Fridays. Fasting is a gentle discipline that prepares the heart for the feast, not a burden. If you're new, simply ask Fr. George for guidance.
Can I watch the services online?
Yes. You can pray along with us from wherever you are through our live stream — visit the Watch Live page to join in.
Communion, Faith & Becoming Orthodox
Can visitors receive Holy Communion?
Holy Communion is reserved for Orthodox Christians who have prepared through prayer and fasting, so we kindly ask visitors not to partake. Everyone is warmly invited to come forward for the blessed bread (antidoron) at the end of the Liturgy as a sign of our shared fellowship.
What is the blessed bread (antidoron)?
Antidoron is blessed bread offered to everyone at the end of the Divine Liturgy — Orthodox and visitors alike. Coming forward to receive it is a warm way to share in the fellowship of the parish, even if you're not yet able to receive Holy Communion.
What do Orthodox Christians believe?
Saint Elias holds the ancient, unchanged faith of the apostles and the early Church — the same Scriptures, creed, and sacraments held by Christians for two thousand years. At the heart of our life is the Divine Liturgy and the Eucharist, surrounded by icons, chant, and beauty that draw the whole person toward the presence of God.
What does "Antiochian" Orthodox mean?
We belong to the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese of North America, part of the historic Church of Antioch — the city where, as the Scriptures record, the followers of Jesus were first called Christians. It's a Middle-Eastern and Arabic Orthodox tradition carried to Colorado by immigrant families, and today it gathers people of every background around the same altar.
Who is the church named after?
Our parish is named for the holy Prophet Elias (Elijah) — the man of God who stood before kings, called down fire from heaven on Mount Carmel, and was taken up in a fiery chariot. In the Orthodox Church he is honored as a model of prayer, courage, and faithfulness to the one true God.
How do I become Orthodox?
The path is unhurried and personal, with no deadline and no test to pass. It begins simply: come and worship, stay for coffee hour, and talk with Fr. George. Most people move gently from inquirer, to catechumen (formally learning the faith), to reception into the Church through Baptism and Chrismation — or Chrismation alone for those already baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity. Read more about becoming Orthodox.
What is a catechumen?
A catechumen is someone who, after speaking with Fr. George, is formally learning the Orthodox faith in preparation for entering the Church. The parish prays for the catechumens by name, and they're welcomed further into the life of the community as they continue to learn.
I'm already Orthodox and moving to the area — how do I transfer?
We'd be delighted to welcome you. Introduce yourself to Fr. George after the Liturgy or reach out through the parish office, then ask your previous parish to send a letter of transfer to Saint Elias. You don't have to wait for the paperwork to feel at home — come, pray with us, and stay for coffee hour.
Do you offer inquirers' classes or Bible study?
Yes. The parish offers inquirers' classes and ongoing adult education and Bible study — a relaxed place to read the Scriptures and grow in the Orthodox understanding of the faith, whether you're brand new or lifelong Orthodox. Ask Fr. George or see our ministries page for what's currently meeting.
Children & Families
Can I bring my children to church?
Please do. Children are a joy in an Orthodox parish, not a distraction. Wiggles, whispers, and the occasional escape down the aisle are completely normal — your family belongs in the middle of it all.
Do you have a nursery?
Yes. Our nursery is available for children from birth through 3 years old, with parent supervision — a safe, welcoming space for little ones while parents remain close by.
What ages does Sunday School serve, and when does it meet?
Children ages 4 to 12 are invited to Sunday School, which meets on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM. Through engaging lessons and activities, children learn the Bible and the Orthodox faith in an age-appropriate way. A nursery is available for newborns through age 3.
How do I enroll my child in Sunday School?
To enroll a child or ask about the program, contact our Sunday School coordinators — Sara at 720-771-2082 or Ansam at 248-310-8480 — or speak with Fr. George. Newcomers are always welcome, and teachers are glad to help every child feel at home.
Giving & Stewardship
How can I give or donate to the parish?
You can give online through our secure checkout (one-time or recurring), place a gift in the offering plate on Sunday (cash or checks payable to Saint Elias Antiochian Orthodox Church), or mail a check to the parish at 7580 Pierce St, Arvada, CO 80003. Visit the Give page to get started.
What is Orthodox stewardship?
Stewardship is not a membership fee or set of dues — it's our grateful response to God, offering back a portion of our time, talent, and treasure so the work of the parish can continue. The Church asks for a proportional, prayerful, and joyful gift from a cheerful heart, not a fixed amount.
Are donations tax-deductible?
Saint Elias is a nonprofit religious organization, and gifts support the parish's ministries. We're glad to provide a giving statement on request through the parish office. For questions about the tax treatment of your gift, please consult your tax advisor.
Can I make a memorial or planned gift?
Yes. You can remember Saint Elias in your will or estate plans, or make a gift in memory or in honor of a loved one. Memorial and honorary gifts keep a name in the prayers and life of the parish. Reach out through the parish office to arrange one.
Festival & Events
When is the Mediterranean Festival?
The Saint Elias Mediterranean Festival returns Saturday, August 29, 2026 (12:00 PM–10:00 PM) and Sunday, August 30, 2026 (12:00 PM–8:00 PM), at the church, 7580 Pierce St, Arvada, with family activities at neighboring St. Elias Park. Expect authentic Mediterranean food, live Arabic music, Turkish coffee, henna, church tours, and fun for all ages.
How much is festival admission, and is it family-friendly?
Admission is $5 before 4:00 PM and $10 after 4:00 PM, and children are always welcome. The festival is made for the whole family — food, music, games, bounce castles, and activities for kids at St. Elias Park.
Can I be a festival vendor or sponsor?
Yes. Non-food vendors can reserve a booth for $150 to reach the whole community across two days. Businesses and families can also sponsor the festival, the golf tournament, and other parish events — see our events & fundraisers page or contact the parish office for current opportunities.
Contact & Getting Involved
How do I contact the parish or Fr. George?
The best way to reach us is by phone at (303) 949-5809, or through the contact page on our website. The parish office keeps appointment-based hours, so calling ahead is best. You're also always welcome to introduce yourself to Fr. George in person after the Divine Liturgy on Sunday.
Where is Saint Elias located?
We're at 7580 Pierce St, Arvada, CO 80003 — in the northwest Denver metro, an easy drive from Westminster, Wheat Ridge, Golden, and downtown Denver — with free parking and an accessible entrance. See our contact & directions page for a map.
How can I volunteer or get involved?
Every ministry at Saint Elias runs on the willing hands of ordinary parishioners, and no experience is required. Come to worship, stay for coffee hour, and let us know where your heart is drawn — choir, Sunday School, cooking for the festival, outreach, and more. See our volunteers page or speak with Fr. George to find your place.
Still have a question?
We're glad to help
If your question isn't answered here, reach out through the parish office or use the chat in the corner of the page — and there's no better answer than to come and see for yourself this Sunday.