Orthodox churches are known for their beauty and unique designs. “The rich color, distinctive iconography and beauty of the interior of an Orthodox Church generally are in sharp contrast to the simplicity which one finds in many Roman Catholic and Protestant churches,” explains Reverend Thomas Fitzgerald in an article about Orthodox houses of worship at the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America’s Web site. “When one enters the interior of the Orthodox church it is like stepping into a whole new world of color and light.” Orthodox churches are generally constructed in the form of a cross and divided into three areas: narthex, nave, and sanctuary.
Most priests find their jobs to be extremely fulfilling, but even the most content priests cite a shortage of support staff, low salaries, and the never-ending demands of serving their congregations as aspects of their jobs that sometimes create stress.