Church Tours
Inviting festival visitors to see the beautiful sanctuary and icons is an easy way to introduce them to Orthodoxy. Visitors are already there, they might be hot, wet and/or tired from waiting in lines outside so sitting in the air conditioning is a attractive option.
The Speaker
The speaker creates the first impression and will make or break the effectiveness of the tour. Here are the ideal qualifications...
1. A naturally smiling face, comfortable in front of others and a clear, easy to hear voice.
2. Able to speak without notes in an expressive (i.e. non-monotone) voice.
3. Knowledge of the basics of Orthodox faith and practice.
4. Familiar with the local parish and its general history.
~ If the priest does not meet these qualifications, let someone else make the presentation. Speaking is not every priest's strength and doesn't need to be....that is why the local church is a body with different 'members'. The priest can convey the love of Christ by greeting visitors as they enter or exit. The speaker makes or breaks the presentation.
What to Talk About First
Don't talk about what you are interested in...visitors are interested in what they see: icons. Here is a sample of what to say...
1. Welcome them to your church, saying your name and the full name of the parish.
2. If 'Greek', 'Russian', etc. is in the title explain that this is the ethnic origin of the founders, but, your parish is an 'American' Orthodox church
3. Give a very brief summary of the history of the local church...
4. ...leading into the fact that the parish is a part of Orthodox Christianity: the Church of the New Testament spread all over the world.
5. Explain what 'Orthodox' means: 'right belief' or 'right praise'. 6. Explain the the church is Orthodox because it has attempted to preserve the original teachings and practices of the early Church. 7. Now, address what they have been looking at: the icons.
8. Example: ask them if they saw a friend looking in the window what they would do (i.e. greet them in some way).
9. Explain that icons are supernatural windows to heaven through which Christ and the saints see us, and we them.
108. Demonstrate the veneration of an icon in the traditional way...
10. ...and explain that you are not worshipping the icon but honoring the person on the other side of the 'window'.
TIME: 15-20 minutes should be the normal tour time. If the presentation is too long and the visitors get bored, this is the impression they will leave with and they will never come back. When the tour is over, thank everyone for coming and announce that the tour is concluded. Invite those with questions to remain...that way everyone has a positive experience.
Next....
Using Icons to Teach and Evangelize
Inviting festival visitors to see the beautiful sanctuary and icons is an easy way to introduce them to Orthodoxy. Visitors are already there, they might be hot, wet and/or tired from waiting in lines outside so sitting in the air conditioning is a attractive option.
The Speaker
The speaker creates the first impression and will make or break the effectiveness of the tour. Here are the ideal qualifications...
1. A naturally smiling face, comfortable in front of others and a clear, easy to hear voice.
2. Able to speak without notes in an expressive (i.e. non-monotone) voice.
3. Knowledge of the basics of Orthodox faith and practice.
4. Familiar with the local parish and its general history.
~ If the priest does not meet these qualifications, let someone else make the presentation. Speaking is not every priest's strength and doesn't need to be....that is why the local church is a body with different 'members'. The priest can convey the love of Christ by greeting visitors as they enter or exit. The speaker makes or breaks the presentation.
What to Talk About First
Don't talk about what you are interested in...visitors are interested in what they see: icons. Here is a sample of what to say...
1. Welcome them to your church, saying your name and the full name of the parish.
2. If 'Greek', 'Russian', etc. is in the title explain that this is the ethnic origin of the founders, but, your parish is an 'American' Orthodox church
3. Give a very brief summary of the history of the local church...
4. ...leading into the fact that the parish is a part of Orthodox Christianity: the Church of the New Testament spread all over the world.
5. Explain what 'Orthodox' means: 'right belief' or 'right praise'. 6. Explain the the church is Orthodox because it has attempted to preserve the original teachings and practices of the early Church. 7. Now, address what they have been looking at: the icons.
8. Example: ask them if they saw a friend looking in the window what they would do (i.e. greet them in some way).
9. Explain that icons are supernatural windows to heaven through which Christ and the saints see us, and we them.
108. Demonstrate the veneration of an icon in the traditional way...
10. ...and explain that you are not worshipping the icon but honoring the person on the other side of the 'window'.
TIME: 15-20 minutes should be the normal tour time. If the presentation is too long and the visitors get bored, this is the impression they will leave with and they will never come back. When the tour is over, thank everyone for coming and announce that the tour is concluded. Invite those with questions to remain...that way everyone has a positive experience.
Next....
Using Icons to Teach and Evangelize
