Orthodox Church Service in the village Sarbi

The church in Sirbi
(Josani - lower village)

Winter 2000:

The Orthodox service runs for three hours, and they don't use benches.

The men are up in the front half of the church, where the priest celebrates the service.

Women must stand in back.

Where they glimpse the service through tiny windows in the wall.

The children and unmarried young adults stand upstairs.

And the Priest spends most of his time chanting alone in the Sanctuary.

When out front, most of their service time is spent facing east.

Iconography plays an important part of church decoration.