Anyone who walks into an Orthodox church cannot remain unmoved by what they encounter. All their senses will be heightened as they take in the iconography, the sound of chanting, the lighting of candles and oil lamps, the taste of the Bread and Wine and the sweet smell of incense filling their being.

​The use of the exclamation “Alleluia” or "Hallelujah" was inherited by the first Christians from Hebrew worship. It means, “God be praised” or “Praise God”. In the Orthodox Church it is in itself an exclamation as well as an exhortation to praise God. 

​For us today, the Divine Liturgy is a weekly staple of our Christian lives. We drive to church on a Sunday, walk into a great building with flickering candles and hand-painted icons, gold leaf and carved wood, embroidered vestments, burning incense and chanting filling every corner of the church.