To this day, Orthodox congregations in the United States are a mix of international faces and exotic customs. To some Protestants, Sunday-morning services can be a culture shock. Orthodox believers light candles, cross themselves and bend down to kiss icons as they enter the church sanctuary. These symbolic gestures help make church teachings about the mystery of the divine and the incomprehensible essence of God more real, believers say. An icon of Jesus hangs on the right and an icon of the Theotokos, or Mary, the mother of Jesus, hangs on the left.
Smaller icons depict the saints and scenes in the life and resurrection of Jesus.
To Orthodox believers, the icons are a window to heaven - a visual representation of the next world. They also provide the faithful a way to meditate with God. It's a pretty powerful feeling. Behind the iconostasis, a gold-robed priest stands in front of an altar. At different points during the service, he moves around, swinging a censer at the icons and the worshipers.