Church Etiquette – St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral, Dubai
To preserve the sanctity and peaceful atmosphere of our worship space, we kindly ask all parishioners and visitors to observe the following guidelines when attending services at St. Thomas Orthodox Cathedral:
- Mobile Phones: Please ensure your mobile device is set to silent mode upon entering the church to avoid any disruptions during prayer and worship.
- Vehicle Safety: When parking within the church campus, kindly switch off your vehicle engine completely to maintain a quiet and safe environment.
- Dress Code: We request that all attendees dress modestly and respectfully when coming for Holy Qurbana. Please note that inappropriate attire may be considered a legal offense under UAE law.
- Fasting Requirement: A minimum of six hours of fasting is required before receiving Holy Qurbana. This practice reflects reverence and spiritual preparation.
- Maintain Silence: Out of respect for the sacredness of the church, please remain quiet and composed during your time inside.
- Prayer Requests: If submitting names for prayer, kindly write them clearly and legibly in the designated prayer request file available in the church.
- Sunday School Seating: Please allow space in the front rows for Sunday School children so they may participate fully in the service.
Website Member Zone Guidelines & Features
Profile Management
Members with access to the website’s Member Zone may update their personal profiles, including adding recent photographs. We encourage all members to keep their church profile up to date, especially contact details, to help us serve you better.
Family Photo
You may update your family photograph directly through your Member Zone access.
Contact Details & Profile Fields
Certain profile fields and contact details can be edited by the member. Some information may require verification by the church office before it is reflected on the website.
Deleting or Disabling a Profile
If you wish to disable or delete a member's profile, please contact the church office for assistance.
Data Privacy & Security
Date of Birth: Only the day and month are visible to other members; the year remains confidential.
Identification Details: Any identification numbers or sensitive documents are visible only to the member and the church office.
All information is handled with confidentiality and care, in accordance with our commitment to safeguarding member data.
Job Cell (STOC – OCYM)
All members have access to the Job Cell, where you may contribute job openings and also benefit from opportunities shared by the parish community.
Matrimonial Services
If you opt in for Matrimonial Services, the feature will appear on your dashboard and menu. All approval processes and data security measures are rigorously followed to ensure that this service is used respectfully and meaningfully in a Christian environment.
Blood Bank
Members who wish to be part of the parish's Blood Donation initiatives may update their preferences in their profile.
Prayer Requests & Vicar Home Visits
Prayer Requests, Vicar Church Visits, and other pastoral services are now accessible directly from the Member Zone for your convenience.
Most categories of pastoral and community support services can be requested online through the Member Zone.
Mobile App Access
All church website features, including the Member Zone, are available through the official mobile app on the App Store and Google Play. We recommend downloading the app to receive parish updates and services easily on the go.