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.

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.

A service that replaces the Divine Liturgy when no priest is available, or serves as a communion service using previously consecrated elements. Typika includes psalms, scripture readings, and prayers similar to the Liturgy but without the Eucharistic prayer. This service allows communities to maintain liturgical worship even when circumstances prevent the celebration of the full Divine Liturgy.

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 sacrament of healing for physical and spiritual ailments, administered by anointing with blessed oil. Also called the sacrament of anointing or Euchelaion, this service is traditionally celebrated by seven priests (though one may serve) who read seven Gospel passages and anoint the person seven times on the forehead, nostrils, cheeks, lips, chest, and hands. Holy Unction is offered not only to the dying but to all who are sick in body or soul, and many parishes celebrate it communally during Great Lent. The service emphasizes God's healing power and mercy.

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.

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.

The sacrament of initiation into the Orthodox Church, through which a person is united with Christ in His death and resurrection. The baptismal candidate is immersed three times in water in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, dying to sin and rising to new life in Christ. Baptism cleanses from original sin, grants adoption as God's child, and makes the person a member of the Body of Christ. In Orthodox practice, baptism is immediately followed by chrismation and first communion.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

The missionary bishop who translated the liturgy and scriptures into native Alaskan languages. Celebrated on March 31st, Innocent (John Veniaminov) served as a priest and later bishop in Alaska and Siberia. He learned multiple native languages and created alphabets for languages that had none, earning him the title 'Apostle to America.'