We are located at 307 19th Street South in downtown Birmingham, Alabama. During services, the parking lot directly across the street is open, and there are a few spaces reserved for guests.

A typical Divine Liturgy service lasts an hour and a half, starting at 9:30 a.m. and lasting until approximately 11 a.m. There are many different parts to each Divine Liturgy, from the Doxology that signals the beginning, to the Great Entrance when the clergy processes the chalice throughout the cathedral, to the blessing to conclude service following communion. While the majority of the service is liturgical, you’ll also hear select Gospel and Epistle readings as well as a short sermon. Divine Liturgy services are participatory and involve all the senses, but if you’re just getting acquainted with Orthodoxy, feel free to simply take everything in.

• Before Divine Liturgy begins at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday morning, there are two services that lead up to the Liturgy — Vespers and Orthros. Vespers is held each Saturday evening at 5 p.m. and lasts approximately an hour. Orthros precedes the Divine Liturgy on Sunday morning, beginning at 8:30 a.m. These two liturgical services are filled with Psalms and prayers that prepare for and anticipate the Divine Liturgy. All are welcome to attend these services.

When you walk into the cathedral doors, you’ll be in the Narthex. This is the space where parishioners and guests greet one another and light candles. On the left side of the Narthex, you’ll find a small table where our greeters can help you settle in and sign the guest book.

You’ll also want to grab a bulletin, the parish’s weekly informational pamphlet with the day’s Scripture readings, hymns, announcements, and upcoming events.

Women typically wear dresses or skirts to Divine Liturgy, and men usually dress in suits or business casual wear.

Veiling is common for women in many Orthodox churches and some of our parishioners follow this custom, but it is not required. You’ll notice that clergy are clothed in liturgical vestments, which have great detail, significance, and symbolism.

During Sunday Divine Liturgy, our nursery is available for children eight weeks and older.

After Sunday Divine Liturgy, our Sunday School Program serves our youth from pre-school through high school ages, providing them with a strong religious education and opportunities for special events and projects.

Other Youth Ministries include the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, our Hope and Joy ministry for elementary schoolers, Junior GOYA (Greek Orthodox Young Adults) for middle schoolers, and GOYA for high schoolers.

Check out our Ministries page for more details.

We have a warm, welcoming community of people who love meeting visitors. After Divine Liturgy is over, you can head up the steps to the banquet hall for our Coffee Hour fellowship, where you’ll find light refreshments and plenty of people who have been in your shoes.

Also be sure to stop by our bookstore, where you’ll find our helpful staff and resources for learning more about Orthodoxy. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved with the parish and serve as well.

Holy Communion is reserved for members of the Orthodox Church who have properly prepared, but the good news is that everyone is invited to join the Orthodox Church. Please contact the office or speak to one of the priests for more information. Everyone may receive the blessed bread (antidoron) that is handed out at the conclusion of the service as we depart.