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11th in Matthew 2nd part of Liturgy 8/27/06 Continuing, as I said last Sunday, our Commentary on the Divine Liturgy, which we shall be doing for the next few months, we stated, that the Church Edifice is divided into 3 parts. The first part is the Narthex or Vestibule, which we first enter into the Church Edifice. The Narthex was the place where the Catechumens, or candidate Christians stood, after they exited from the Nave immediately after the sermon, which always followed the Gospel Lesson. Today, this has fallen in disuse, because there are no Caterchumens. However, during the Baptism of infants, the special service of the Catechumens is prayed in the Narthex, because the infants until their baptism are considered Catechumens. In the Narthex we see the "Proskenetarion" that is, the ornamental stand on which the Icons are placed for the Faithful to reverence, after they have lit their candle and placed it on the candle stand. The candle is symbolic of our fervor and love for our Lord. By lighting it, we recognize that Christ is the Light of the World, and in turn, it is our light, which shines around us as an example of. our. Christianity. Also, as the candle melts away from the heat, so also, our hearts should be consumed in the love for our Lord. After blessing ourselves,we enter through the main doors into the Nave, which we said is the ship, with Christ at the helm, heading for the port of salvation. The Nave as we said derives from the Greek word "Naus", meaning ship. In the Nave we see the rows of pews ending at the raised platform, called "Soleas", which extends from the front pews to the Iconostasis, or Altar Screen. On the Soleas, the Sacraments and other Services are held. On the right end of the Soleas we see the Bishop's Throne, on which the Bishop participates in the Liturgy. On the Throne there is always the icon of our Lord Jesus, Who is the Icon for all the Bishops. As we said last Sun day, 4. is Christ, who offers and is offered during the Liturgy. He is the Chief Celebrant next to thr Ri Bishop's Throne we see the cubicles for the Chanters or Readers. Across the Soleas, that is, opposite of the Bishop's Throne, there is a small throne which is there for any dignitary, who would come to the Church This throne is d remanant Throne from the Great Byzantine Empire, when the Emperor would stand before this throne, across from the Patriarch, or Bishop. Also, there is a Baptismal Font permanently placed on the side of the Soleas. On the northern part of the Soleas we also see the Pulpit, from where the Deacon reads the excerpt from the Gospel of the Day, and the sermon is preached. At the end of the Soleas, that is, the most eastern part of the Nave, we see the circular steps that lead into the Holy Sanctuary, or Holy Altar, where only the ordained Clergy and Altar Boys may enter. There are 6 standard Icons on every Iconostasis, or Altar Screen. After these are in place, other Icons may be added, if space permits. Facing the Altar, we see at the Center of the Iconostasis the Royal Gates, which are opened during the Liturgy, and through which the Clergy exit and enter. The first Icon to the right of the Royal Gates, is that of the Lord, sitting on His Throne and holding an open Bible, usually stating "I am the Light of the world." To the right of the Lord's Icon is the Icon of the forerunner, St. John the Baptist, who baptized the Lord in the Jordan River. Next to St. John's Icon is the lcon of the Archangel Gabriel. This icon is on the South Door of the Altar Screen, through which the Altar Boys re-enter the Sanctuary after any Procession. The Archangel Gabriel along with the Archangel Michael, whose Icon is on the Northern Door, are the Guardians of Paradise, symbolic of the Altar area. To the left of the Royal Gates we see the Icon of our Holy Mother and Ever-Virgin Mary seated on a Throne and holding the Christ Child. Next to the Holy Virgin's Icon is the Icon of the Saint or Saints, after whom the Church is named. Therefore, if you visit any Orthodox Church, you don't have to inquire as to the name of the Church. Simply, took at the Icon next to the Holy Mother, and you'll have your answer. Next to the Icon after which the Church received its name, we see the Northern Door with the Icon of the Archangel Michael as we mentioned. All Liturgical Processions exit from this Door, and re-enter through the South Door. The Altar Screen separates, as we said, the Nave from the Sanctuary. In the Sanctuary we see the Holy Altar Table, which is the Throne of God, around which the presiding Hierarch and the Clergy gather around, to symbolize the Angels in Heaven surrounding the Throne of God. The Holy Altar also symbolizes the Holy Sepulchre, that is, the Lord's Tomb. When a Church is consecrated by the Bishop, relics of Saints are cemented in the Holy Altar Table, to denote the Church Triumphant, that is the souls reposing in Heaven and the Church Militant, which is the praying Faithful. On the Altar Table we see the Golden Book of the Gospels, under which is the Antimension, meaning "in place of the Table." The Antimension is unfolded during the chanting of the Cherubic hymn. It is a cloth, imprinted with the scene of the Burial of our Lord. Using the Antimension is a continuous Orthodox tradition., to bring to mind the years of the horrible persecutions, when the Divine Liturgy was secretly celebrated in various places. Since the Altar could not be moved, the Antimension became the portable Altar Table. On the Altar Table we also see the Blessing Cross. The Liturgy Book containing the prayers read by the Priest, Also there is the "Artoforion," a Greek word meaning "bearing the Bread, that is, the Consecrated Host." It is also known as the Tabernacle, which is the depository of the Consecrated Host, transubstantiated during the Liturgy of Holy Thursday, to be used for Emergencies, like giving Holy Communion to the sick. Therefore, Christ is ever present in the Orthodox Churches, and when we walk in the Nave to cross the middle aisle, which lines up with the Holy Altar, we should always pause, bow our head, and bless ourselves, because Christ is ever present in the Artoforion. Also, on the Holy Altar Table is the Eternal Vigil Light, which is kept burning with pure Olive oil, and is never extinguished.. It's place is in front of the Artoforion. It is from the Eternal Vigil Light, that the Priest lights the Paschal Candle, and asks the people to "come forth, and receive the Light, from the Light that never wanes!" On the Holy Altar we also place candles on stands for decorative purposes. Back of the Altar Table we see a large Crucifix, which is used on the Holy Day of the Lord's Passion. Also we see the Processional Cross, flanked by two metal fans, depicting the six-winged Angels, which surround the Glory of God. These fans are called "Hexapteriga," that is Greek, for "six winged." These three articles are carried by the Altar Boys when there is a Procession. To the left of the Sanctuary wall we see the "Proskomide," a Greek word meaning "bringing the gifts of bread and wine to the Church" to be Consecrated during the Liturgy. This is the highest honor and privilege of all. The "Proskomide" is also called "Prothesis," meaning "Oblation Table" or "offering." In the Sanctuary, the "Proskomide" is a little "Grotto." with the Icon of the Nativity painted on a concave surface. The "Proskomide" signifies the birthplace of our Lord and the Manger, in which He was placed. On the Proskomide Table we see the Holy Chalice, --- the Holy Diskarion or Paten, which will hold the pieces extracted from the Prosforon., or Holy Bread; --- the Asterisk, symbolizing the Star, that led the Magi to the cave of Bethlehem. The Asterisk also has a practical purpose, in that it protects the parts of the Bread extracted for the Liturgy; --- the Communion Spoon; --- the Lance, signifying the lance which pierced the side of the Lord, from which ran Blood and Water; - --- the cruets, or small bottles, which contain wine and water; --- the red Communion cloth; --- the 2 veils, which will cover the Chalice and the Paten, as well as the large veil, covering the Chalice and the Paten, which is called "Aera," Lastly there is the Zeon, meaning "hot water." A small utensil which holds warm water, to be poured into the Chalice before Communion. This is reminiscent of the water, along with the Blood, that ran down from the Lord's side, when it was pierced with a soldier's lance. Also, since blood has a certain warmth, the Zeon mixed with the wine raises the temperature. The Zeon also symbolizes the fervor of our faith as we come forth to receive Holy Communion. Near the "Proskomide" we see the Censer on a stand. T 'he censer is used in parts of the Proskomide and the Liturgy. The smoke that rises from the aromatic incense symbolizes, that as the smoke rises, so do our prayers rise upwardly to Heaven. Now that we have learned what we see in the three parts of our Church Edifice, we shall proceed next week to describe the preparation of the Priest to celebrate the Liturgy. We shall learn about the symbolism of his Vestments and also the explanation of the Proskomide, which will usher us into the Liturgy of the Catechumens. + Fr. George Papadeas |
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