If this is your first time in any Orthodox church, it will not be superfluous to find out exactly what parts it consists of, what these sacred areas are for, because practically each of them is based on the centuries-old culture and traditions of many generations of believers.
Instructions
Step 1
It is interesting that the temple building itself is made in three versions. may have the form of a cross, symbolizing faith, a circle - the sign of infinity, an octagonal star of Bethlehem. Any temple is covered with a special gilded dome with a cross or crosses facing towards and symbolizing a candle flame or a fire that rises upward.
Step 2
Any temple is conventionally divided into three main parts, the first of which is the “vestibule” - it can be observed at the very entrance. In monasteries, for example, it was used as a refectory, while the church universally used this square as a waiting room for those who are baptized, all excommunicated and repentant.
Step 3
After the vestibule itself comes the "main part", after it - the altar, or "sacred place", a symbol of earth and sky, where only specially authorized people can enter. It is here that the main value of any temple is located - a "throne", a table with aktimnos, or a silk scarf with the image of the holy image of Christ and the power of the saint sewn up here, the gospel, the cross, the guardian, or a special chest for communion of the sick. There can be several altars in the temple at once, in this case each of them is dedicated to a certain great event or some saint. The altar and throne are separated from the main part of the temple by an iconostasis.
Step 4
A special table, an altar, is usually placed from the northern wall of the altar; it is here that wine and bread are prepared for the sacrament ceremony. It contains a chalice, a bowl for a drink and a diskos - a dish for bread. Also on the table you can see a spear for taking out the sacramental bread and a liar, or a spoon intended for communion itself.
Step 5
Behind the iconostasis are also kept various censers, savages and trikarii - two and three candlesticks, respectively, rapid, or special fans on the handles to illuminate the gifts.
Step 6
The zone immediately in front of the iconostasis, at the entrance to the altar, has the name "Soleia", in front of it there is an "ambo", which literally means "I enter" in Greek. It is here, on the pulpit, towering in the middle of the temple, that the priest reads out those main words that mark the beginning and end of the service.
Step 7
On both groans from the pulpit, directly by the walls, there are kliros, or places for singers, there are also banners, icons, arranged on a long one attached to the shaft.
Step 8
You can enter the iconostasis only through the "royal gates"; only the priests themselves are authorized to do this. The iconostasis itself, as a rule, consists of five rows or tiers, which from the bottom up are called "local", "festive", "deesis", "prophetic" and "forefather", dedicated to the patriarchs of the whole people, such as Abraham himself and Isaac, Noah and Jacob.
