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The Development of the Church.
God, as Spirit, is present everywhere, so we can worship Him anywhere. However, for our greater spiritual benefit, we worship Him in a specific place -the church- which the Lord Himself referred to as "the house of my Father" (John 2:16). The sacred decorations within the church and everything that takes place there assist us in our worship. The early Christians, after the Temple of Solomon, used private homes for worship, known as "houses of prayer". Later, due to persecution, they were forced to seek hidden places to worship God -these were the catacombs. The catacombs were underground cemeteries, which also served as refuges for persecuted Christians. They consisted of underground corridors with many branches, usually leading to a chamber. Christians often converted these underground chambers into chapels where they gathered to worship God and to honor the memory of the martyrs. By the 3rd century, they began building the first surface churches. From the time of Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337 AD), Christians were able to freely worship publicly, and so many churches were built in Jerusalem, Constantinople, and other major cities of the Roman Empire.
Catacombs of st. Callixtus in Rome (2nd-4th century AD).
Christian churches are traditionally constructed in a way that divides them into three main parts: the narthex, the nave (main church), and the sanctuary (Holy Altar). The sanctuary is always built on the eastern side, symbolizing the spiritual light of Christ, the Sun of Righteousness.
a) Narthex (Pronaos)
The narthex is the entrance area of the church. It was here that catechumens -those preparing for baptism- would participate in the first part of the Divine Liturgy. These were the unbaptized individuals who were preparing for Holy Baptism. Along with them were those undergoing penance for committing grave sins. During the difficult years of the Turkish occupation, the narthex often housed the secret school (κρυφό σχολειό /krifó scholió), which fostered national consciousness and nurtured the desire for freedom. Today, where it still exists, the narthex is used by the faithful for lighting candles and by the Priest for making a Catechumen or giving blessings like the 40th day from the birth of a child (σαραντισμός /sarántisma).
The main parts of our Church.
b) Nave (Main Church)
After the narthex, we enter the nave with reverence. This is the main part of the church that extends up to the sanctuary. From here, the faithful follow the holy services. In the nave, we can see the "stasídia" (rows/pews). We also notice the Archbishop's throne, where the Archbishop or a presiding Bishop sits during services. The ambo or pulpit, from which the deacon reads the Gospel, is also located here, and it is often used for delivering sermons. Additionally, we find the lectern (analogion) for the chanters, and the women’s gallery (gynaeconite) on the upper level, designated for women. Finally, we see the solea, which is the area that connects the nave with the sanctuary.
The nave of our Church with the rows and the women's gallery.
The iconostasis, or templon, separates the main church from the sanctuary. It has three doors and is adorned with many icons. The central door is called the "Beautiful Gate", while the others are known as the "Side or Deacon's Doors". To the right of the Beautiful Gate, as we look towards the altar, is the icon of Christ, followed by the icon of St. John the Baptist. To the left of the Beautiful Gate is the icon of the Theotokos, the All-Holy Mother of the Lord, followed by the icon of the saint to whom the church is dedicated. On the two deacon's doors, the archangels Michael and Gabriel remind us that it is forbidden for laymen or women to enter the sanctuary unless they have a special service to perform.
The Iconostasis of our Church.
c) "Iero" - The Sanctuary
The Iero - Sanctuary, is the most sacred part of the church, also known as the "holy of holies" or the "inner sanctum" or "holy spot" (ἅγιον βῆμα). Only the clergy are permitted to enter this space, and those who are designated for altar service. It is also called the "altar" because it is where the bloodless sacrifice, the Holy Eucharist, takes place. In the Holy Altar, you will find the Holy Table, the Prothesis (table of Oblation), the Skevophylakion (sacristy), and in some churches the Synthronon.
Part of the niche that forms the Sacristy of our Church.
The Holy Table
The Holy Table symbolizes the life-giving tomb of the Lord. Upon it, the great Mystery of the Holy Eucharist is celebrated. During the consecration of a church, relics of maryrs are placed underneath the Holy Table. On top of the Holy Table, the following sacred coverings are found:
The Holy Table of our Church, with the Crucifix facing the congregation.
Prothesis (Table of Oblation)
To the left of the Holy Table, within a niche in the wall, is the Prothesis or Table of Oblation. Here, the priest prepares the Holy Gifts -the bread and wine- that will become the Body and Blood of Christ during the Divine Liturgy.
Skevophylakion (Sacristy)
To the right of the Holy Table is the Skevophylakion, the place where sacred vessels, liturgical books, and other holy items are stored.
Synthronon
Finally, behind the Holy Table, there was traditionally the Synthronon, a series of thrones or seats for the bishop and his priests. Today, it is not found in all churches. Behind the Holy Table, facing the congregation, there is often an icon of the Crucified Christ.
The Prothesis of our Church, where the Holy Gifts are being prepared for every Divine Liturgy.
St. Demetrios Greek Orthodox Community of Hamilton
22 Head Street, Hamilton ON L8R 1P9
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