If you are attending as a worshiper: Mostly yes. If a Catholic is unable to get to a Catholic mass (i.e. in Russia or an Eastern Orthodox nation), they can attend an Orthodox divine liturgy and it will satisfy their Sunday/holy day obligation. All Orthodox sacraments are considered valid by the Church.

Much of the service follows a similar pattern to Roman Catholic Mass and Anglican Holy Communion . Orthodox churches have many symbols. Both art and music are used to deepen the spiritual experience of worshippers but musical instruments are not used during services. Singing and chanting creates a reverent atmosphere.

The mass consists of two principal rites: the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. The mass is at once a memorial and a sacrifice. In the eucharistic prayer, the church commemorates Jesus Christ and his redeeming work, especially his sacrifice for the sake of all humankind through his crucifixion.

The Eucharist The Orthodox believe that by the consecration the bread and wine are truly changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. Communion is given in a spoon containing both the bread and the wine and is received standing.

The Eucharist is at the center of Eastern Christian faith communities, both Orthodox and Eastern Catholic. Orthodox Eastern Christians affirm the real presence in the Sacred Mysteries (consecrated bread and wine) which they believe to be the actual Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

The Orthodox Church does not believe in purgatory (a place of purging), that is, the inter-mediate state after death in which the souls of the saved (those who have not received temporal punishment for their sins) are purified of all taint preparatory to entering into Heaven, where every soul is perfect and fit to see …

Eastern Orthodox Christians are forbidden from receiving Communion in any church other than Eastern Orthodox.