As we walk through the doors of the Church …
We should humbly contemplate in our heart the following thoughts: I now enter the house of the Lord God, the place of His great and holy Glory… Here, great mysteries are accomplished by which manifold gifts of Grace are freely granted to all… Here, upon the Holy Altar, the very Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ are offered and we are called to partake of them: “Take, eat…” …Here, the Lord of Glory Himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, is present and hearkens unto the supplications of those that believe on Him… Here, the Virgin Theotokos stands before us in Church and with the choirs of Saints invisibly prays to God for us. Here, Angels worship with Holy Hierarchs, Apostles rejoice with Prophets, interceding for us before the Throne of God… Here, we receive the gift of Eternal Life, freedom from sin, reconciliation with God, deliverance from eternal death and, in short, every good and blessed thing which our heart truly desires
(From Orthodox Life, Vol 5, 1997. pg. 24.)