What to expect and if I should bring something to a russian christian svc. in the sacramento, california area?

I was invited by our russian neighbors to their church service tomorrow. I asked if I should bring anything and was told to just bring myself and wear a long dress. They are such super, nice people and I really haven't had much opportunity to meet many russian ppl. other than the ones i meet briefly @the delis (i love the salads, breads and cakes). of course I've seen the news about immigrants sometimes getting attacked in russia and I'm not fearful for myself, but I'm wondering if my kids will be treated ok (they're ages 6 + 4 yrs and a 4 mos. old) b.c. they're of mixed ethnicity. I'm 25% each of dutch, indonesian, black and native american and married a red headed guy (he's actually of egyptian descent. I'm not kidding. he really has red hair and fair skin!)so we all look like "other" for nationality since there's a range of colors btwn. us all. I'm just wondering b.c. I've seen russian women date out of their race but russian men I've rarely seen date women out of their race.

wear a long dress and make sure you have some kind of scarf to cover your head (adult women are expected to cover their hair when in church).

...don't worry about the way you, your husband or your children look, a church is a house of God and we are all his children.

In a Russian church, you will be standing throughout the entire service (there's no benches or anything like that).

Enjoy yourself :)

Expect beautiful singing, incense, long prayers or sermons in a language you will not understand, and polite greetings. I'm assuming the church is Orthodox. And, as advised, wear a long dress. A nice lace scarf would be an acceptable head cover.

How very kind of your neighbors to invite you. They must like you!

I am russian, and Christian. At my church, you HAVE to wear skirts, and pretty long ones. My aunt lives in Sacramento, I wonder if you are going to her church? Anyway, the Russian kids are SOO nice, and adorable. They are ussualy well behaved because Russian parents are typically more strict than American ones. Some kids are racist, but they are just kids. I Don't know about what you said that Russian men don't date people out of their race, My cousin married an American girl...

Just go..and don't worry.+

An Kатя, What do you mean russian churches do not have benches? maybe yours doensn't, but mine does! We sit the whole time!

Go ahead and visit that church but remember that if something or somebody makes you uncomfortable you can leave at any moment.

I never understood why Russian churches don't have places to sit - to me, that's just ridiculous, especially when you see sick or old people who need rest.

TO UKRGIRL - does your nick mean "Ukrainian girl"? If so, why do you go to a Russian, not Ukrainian church?

You shouldn't worry about anything, I am a member in a Russian church and everybody is okay with other, different people coming because it creates variety. People might look at you a little, but that is normal for anywhere. Just wear a dress (pants are considered not formal enough for church) and if you have a nice little scarf or wide headband, then wear it...otherwise don't worry about it. Also, when they pray, they kneel on the floor instead of sitting or standing so if you want to show respect, that is one good way.

Oh yeah ....I've lived in Sacramento and I'm assuming this is a Baptist or Pentecostal church, not Orthodox or anything.

Hope this helps : )