Orthodox churches didn't have pews until they came to America, and then you will find them mostly in Grek and Antiochan churches. We stand in prayer because we are raised in baptism and out of respect to God whose presence is real in the Eucharist. We are in His house.
The sick and the elderly can sit, as there are usually chairs along the walls for that purpose. I have seen 90-year-old Japanese Orthodox stand through the whole 90-minute liturgy.
Early churches had a subdivision between the congregation and sanctuary. Eventually, in the East this separation was completed with icons, images of real people, including Christ, His Mother, St. John the Forerunner (Baptist) and a patron saint, and two angels (Michael adn Gabriel). I suppose the use of angles is based on the tradition of the Ark of Covenant.
The wall of icons is known as the icon stand (iconostasis in Greek). The altar is behind it. I guess it does make it into a separate "room."
The central, beautfil, great or royal doors are only for the ordained ministers (bishops, priests and deacons) performing the service; all non-ordained members of the church enter and leave the sanctuary through the small doors on the side.
There is usually a choir to the right side facing the altar, which is very important because our liturgy is antiphonal and represents a dialogue.
Is this what your worship is like? Again, not being obnoxious, just trying to understand
Yes, that'w what it's like and has been for as far back as we can trace it, around the first century based on the liturgy of St. James of Jerusalem, the Lord's half-brother.
Everything in the the Divine Liturgy and the Church has its reason. A lot fo what you see is external expression of faith, most of it coming from Judaism.
I did the sermon and my son-in-law lead the music. Philippians 4:10 and on was the subject
Who determined it should be Philippians and why?
How long did you stay in that Orthodox church? Was there someone to explain to you what was going on? Was there a choir? No instruments, right?
Clarification: I visited the church, because it is part of the tourist attraction in Sitka. It was just a look-see. No service was going on.
The place where the priest stood was a completely different room. There were two doors that opened inward.
As for the sermon, I chose what I was going to do, and had a copy with me (aren’t memory sticks wonderful?). If you look at my blog, you will see several sermons I have done in the last year or so. I do believe that the Philippians 4:10 one is there.
This site has pictures (old ones) of the church.
The Lord's WHAT? :)