Membership and participation in parish life
The parish lives through shared prayer, participation in the sacraments and the work of its members. Regular support helps us share responsibility for the church and parish life.
Taking part in parish life and formal membership
Everyone is welcome at services. You do not need to submit an application or pay a membership contribution to pray in church and get to know the parish.
Formal membership means ongoing participation in church life and responsibility for the parish: a regular contribution, practical help and involvement in parish governance in accordance with the statutes.
How to join the parish
- Read the conditionsRead the membership conditions in the Parish Statutes and the explanation of participation in parish life.
- Decide on your contributionUse the calculatorto relate your regular contribution to your income. Choose whether to contribute monthly or annually.
- Submit an applicationComplete the online application or hand in a completed paper form at church. Include your chosen contribution and telephone number. Membership is formalised after the rector’s blessing.
- Arrange your contributionSeparately set up a bank transfer, for example a standing order, or pay your contribution in person at the church shop. The application itself does not initiate a payment.
We recommend completing the online form in English. The downloadable PDF is available only in Russian and German.
Regular support
Membership contributions help maintain the church and meet the needs of worship, charity and parish activities. It is important to relate your contribution to your income and the parish’s actual expenses. The calculator shows what proportion of your income your chosen amount represents.
How can I pay my contribution?
- In person at the church shop, marked “Membership contribution”, monthly or annually.
- By bank transfer to the parish account, for example through a standing order.
Shared life and responsibility
- Taking part in the life of the Church as a responsible member of the community.
- The names of spouses, if both practise the faith, and their children are entered in the permanent commemoration book at the Table of Oblation and commemorated by the priest at every Divine Liturgy.
- The right to vote at parish meetings, to elect and to be elected to parish offices, in accordance with the Statutes.
Membership conditions in the Parish Statutes
Under paragraph 11, parish members may be Orthodox Christians aged 21 or over who confess and receive Communion at least once a year, pay membership contributions and care for the moral and material wellbeing of the parish.
Paragraph 13 defines the right of members who pay their contributions regularly to take part in parish meetings with a deciding vote, and to elect and be elected to parish offices.
Why is supporting the parish important?
Maintaining the church and participating in parish life express love and gratitude to God. In earlier times, believers brought a tithe; today the Church calls us to contribute regularly according to our conscience and means.
“Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7).
See also Proverbs 3:9; Malachi 3:10; 1 Chronicles 29:5.
Donation receipts
At the end of the year, the parish treasurer prepares annual donation receipts for the Finanzamt (tax office). Please ask at the parish if you have questions.