I would like to experience the worship service, because I understand that the singing is truly beautiful.
However, I would not want to offend any of the congregation-since I am not an Orthodox Christian, I don’t know the responses.
Would people be offended if I attended a Sunday service?
I’ve never seen a church with bouncers. I think you’ll be fine.
You’d be fine. Sit toward the back.
Many Orthodox congregations are rather small (and many are rather elderly) so don’t be surprised if you are noticed and spoken to. Just be polite.
I think one of the more distinctive practices of the Eastern Orthodox churches is that worshipers remain standing throughout the Divine Liturgy. Forewarned is forearmed and all that…
I once accidentally crashed an Orthodox funeral in Russia. At a monastery, no less. Same reason - I am a huge choral music geek and had to get closer to the gorgeous sounds coming out of the chapel. Well, it w as a small chapel, and I nearly ran smack-dab into the body (which was paid out n a board, not in a coffin, surrounded by lit candles and flower petals). Everyone was unfailingly polite, but I backed out immediately.
Also sat in on evening vespers at a Russian Orthodox church on the Lower East Side of Manhattan (my college choir had rented out a room upstairs to do our winter concert, and vespers were between the dress rehearsal and the concert, and it really wasn’t enough time to leave and do anything else in the middle.) There were a dozen people there, tops, all over the age of 70. And yes, the music was gorgeous and nobody was bothered by us being there. Just be respectful and dress appropriately, and you should be fine.
Be prepared for lots of incense. The services are indeed gorgeous, but I am not able to attend. 
I once sang a Ukranian Orthodox wedding as part of a quartet. There was a veritable sheaf of music involved, all of it lovely. I think we literally sang for over an hour over the course of the wedding.
I have never been in a church(which I could count on one hand) where newcomers were not immediately noticed and doted on, often trying to give them literature and info on joining etc etc.
How best to handle this if you are just there to observe and not out of religious interest?
Just thank them, compliment the service and maybe chat a bit.
I’ve never been to a church where anybody could possibly know who’s a newcomer and who’s not
I think we had a long discussion about attending church without being noticed here.
Here are some suggestions that one Russian Orthodox church has posted about attending services.
It may no longer be true, but it is my understanding that some very traditional churches did not want women to wear pants.
Not Russian, but a friend and I attended a Greek Orthodox service in high school. (Class project, for full disclosure.) We sat towards the back, and otherwise I don’t think we were noticed at all. Big-ish congregation, though. It was lovely, for the record, and yes, there was lots of insence.
ETA: I doubt you’d be UN- welcome, that’s for sure.
I have attended a service of the Orthodox Church in America (which I believe is simply another branch of the same faith). There were no bouncers and no background checks, though you might stand out and get potentially unwanted attention if you don’t know the proper movements, etc.
I was raised Russian Orthodox.
To attend any church, dress business casual and sit towards the back if there are pews. If there are not, then the Archbishop of that diocese does not allow them and you will be expected to stand. If there are chairs along the wall, feel free to use one unless someone more needing of them (the elderly or pregnant women) wants one. Do not feel compelled to stand and sit with the group. Somebody will likely greet you, don’t be afraid to be direct about your reason for being there. Nobody will mind so long as you are quiet and mind your manners.
Don’t try to take communion if you are not Orthodox.
Some churches will invite everyone to kiss the cross at the end of the service. This is NOT compulsory.
Orthodox take communion from the chalice. In it are mixed bread an wine. This is the holy part of the ritual. Many churches will have small cups of wine and extra pieces of bread off to the side of the priest. Since many Orthodox fast before the rather lengthy service, this is a bit of a bonus to tide you over until the service ends. If somebody goes to communion and brings you back a piece of bread, they are trying to be nice and do you a favor by not letting you feel left out. There is no religious obligation of significance to accepting and eating it. Good manners is to accept it.
Speaking of service length, it can vary widely depending on the priest. Go prepared for at least an hour, and possibly as long as two. Coffee hour usually follows and you will be invited to stay. Feel free to do so if you wish. If you don’t care to stay, just excuse yourself politely, nobody will mind.
Services conducted in Slavonic (church russian) are generally more beautiful in terms of the music than those in English.
russian type here. last sunday’s service had rachmaninoff and chaikovsky as well as some of the other big church music names (the cherubim hymn was nearly a lulabye.). sunday’s service had fewer in the choir so more plain music. the russian church does have the best music, although greek chants are very, very, good when done properly.
a lot of good advice here. figure on standing for a long time. if the church has seats or pews watch for when the majority of people sit. there are times during the liturgy when sitting is very frowned on. the general rule is if the royal doors (doors in the middle of the icon screen) are open, stand up. this is a bit tricksy as some churches have closed royal doors during “a mercy of peace” do not fall for that trick!
oca churches tend to be in english, others can be what ever language the church is. if you go to one in a non-english church you will learn “lord have mercy” very quickly.
it is lent now so liturgy will be longer, as it is st. basil’s and not st. john’s.
let us know how it goes.
I just came across this page; it’s FAQs about attending a Russian Orthodox church in Calgary. Their advice is pretty much as given above by various Dopers.
I did attend this Sunday, at a small RO church in Hyde Park, MA.
The service was elaborate,beautiful, and long (2 1/2 hours).
The singing is beautiful-almost ethereal. I really enjoyed it.
The interior of the church is decorated with much gold leaf and icons-lighting candles is a very big practice. The altar boys wore gold embroidered robes.
As was mentioned, lots of incense.
It was quite an experience-as I said, the singing was marvelous. (And it was in Russian).
fantastic!! i’m glad you enjoyed it and that the choir was good.
i forgot about the candle thing, yes, candles are very, very, big. on holidays sometimes there will be “overflow” bowls with sand in them, 'cause the candle holders get filled up. people do roam about lighting them all the time. you may stand a lot in church, but standing still… that can vary.
i’ll bet you have “lord have mercy” memorized now.
I had a similar experience when Acid Lamp’s family invited me to their RO church. Small, busy congregation: lots of incense and chanting, choir off to the side, folks come in and light candles at random, everyone is late, standing for two hours (except during the homily). Children and adults fidget constantly, and only the infirm sit through the service. Though the symbolism was pretty, the English translation that his parents’ church use is jarring when paired with the cadence of the tunes that were originally in Slavonic.
Though I’m a relatively disinterested nonbeliever, I’d like to see the service performed in the original language to get a better feel for the church practices.