Denomination: ORTHODOX |
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Denomination: ORTHODOX |
n principle, all Orthodox churches face east, and if not references are
made within the building as though it did. During worship, the clergy
and people face east. This is symbolic of facing the Lord, who "will
come from east to west." When stained glass is used in an Orthodox
Church, care is taken that natural light is not obscured.
The church is laid out in three parts: the narthex, the nave and the sanctuary. The Narthex (or Porch) is the
room immediately on entering the Church. The Narthex serves as a
transitional room from the outside to the rest of the Church. In
ancient times, the Narthex was the place where catechumens and
non-Christian visitors stood to witness the Liturgy (Mass) and other
services.
The Nave is the place where the people gather. It is richly decorated by
Icons and candles to give a sense of being in God's presence.
Traditionally, Orthodox Churches - like the Medieval Cathedrals of
Western Europe - did not have pews or seats. In Churches, like St.
George, where pews are the rule, the are arranged to allow for three
aisles; one along the "North" wall, one along the "South" wall, and one
Centre aisle for processions.
eparating the Nave from the Sanctuary (or Altar) is the Iconistasion
(Icon Screen), symbolizing the presence of God, the Virgin, Saints and
Angels during the worship. Between the Iconistasion and the first row of
pews is an area called the Solea. The Solea is an open area (sometimes
slightly elevated above the floor of the Nave) used for small
processions, the reading of Scriptures, and certain prayers and acts of
devotion.
In the Orthodox Church, Icons are not "drawn" they "written."
Representing more than a mere image to remind or teach, the Orthodox
believe that the identification of the Icon with the subject matter
depicted allows the reverence and veneration shown to the Image to 'pass
on' to the Person portrayed. This is said to be an effect of Christ's
Incarnation that allows the 'common matter' of the universe to become a
vehicle of Grace due to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit.
St. George is graced to follow a common Eastern Tradition that a church
will have more than one style of Iconography. At St. George the work of
the 20th Century Artist Emmanuel Briffa boasts the only surviving
example of the Maltese Master's "Church Art." As a counterpoint to
Briffa's warm and approachable palette, many examples of Thracean-style
Iconography, replete with the traditional gilded backgrounds abound.
This includes the famous Byzantine "reverse perspective". In this style
the artistic "vanishing point" is reversed, giving the viewer the
psychological impression that he or she is the object being viewed by
the subject of the Icon.
he Iconistasion itself (and the Sanctuary beyond) is raised above the
level of the Nave so that one "goes up to the Lord" when approaching
it. At the center of this raised area is a semi-circular platform
called the Amvon, which is used by the clergy to proclaim the Gospel and
for certain prayers.
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
he Icons on the Iconistasion are arranged in a particular pattern, and
the Iconistasion itself has three doors or openings. At the Center of
the Iconistasion are the Holy Doors (or Gate). This is a large opening
that looks directly into the Sanctuary and at the Holy Table beyond. In
front of each Icon on the Iconistasion are lamps to light the image.
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Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
t the immediate right (on the South side) of the Holy Doors is the Icon
of Christ, to the immediate left (North side) is the Icon of the
Theotokos (Blessed Virgin Mary). In the Icon, Jesus is always shown
with one hand holding the Book of Judgment in His left hand with His
right hand raised in a blessing. The Book is sometimes shown closed,
sometimes opened with any of several quotations from the Scriptures.
The Theotokos is always shown holding the Christ-Child. She is turned
toward the Holy Doors, the Christ-Child positioned between her and the
Holy Doors, and her right arm is lifted and gesturing towards Him.
t is said that the Icon of the Theotokos, the Holy Doors, and the Icon
of Christ represent the first coming of Jesus, His continued presence in
the Divine Liturgy and the Life of the Church, and His second coming at
the end of the Age.
Next to the Icon of Christ, on the South side of the Iconistasion, is an
Icon of St. John the Forerunner (Baptist). He is shown in a camel's
hair tunic, with a staff, and turned towards the Icon of Christ.
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
ext to the Icon of the Theotokos, on the North side of the
Iconistasion, is the Icon of the Patron of the parish community. At St.
George, the saint is depicted on a horse, spear in hand, killing the
dragon. In parishes dedicated to particular acts in the life Christ or
the Theotokos, Icons depicting the event are placed here.
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Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
n the North and South sides, respectively, of the Icons of the Patron
and St. John are two doors with Icons of the Archangels Michael (North)
and Gabriel (South). These doors are used by Deacons and Acolytes to
enter and exit the Sanctuary. To the North and South of these doors are
additional Icons (the number depending on the size of the building) that
represent Saints of especial importance to the parish community. At St.
George, on the North side is an Icon of St. Nicholas of Myra (in respect
for the name-sake of the original Montreal Syrian Orthodox Community)
and St. Basil the Great (the fourth century Cappadocian Bishop who
started the first Hospitals and also developed one of the first Monastic
Rules) is shown on the South side.
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
bove the main row Icons depicting scenes from the Life of Christ or the
Apostles are usually found.. At St. George the Apostles are shown on
the upper row with the Last Supper directly over the Holy Doors. On top
of the Iconistasion, it is customary to find an Icon-Crucifix with
Iconic figures of the Virgin and St. John the Apostle looking toward the
Cross
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he Sanctuary is the room beyond the Iconistasion that, echoing the Holy
of Holies of the Temple of Solomon, is the place where God dwells in the
Reserved Sacrament. Only clergy and attendants enter the Sanctuary.
In the middle of the Sanctuary is the Holy Table. Laid upon the Holy
Table are the Book of the Gospel (arranged for daily reading according
to the Liturgical Calendar), a cross for blessings, two candles, and the
Tabernacle (a shrine-like container for the Reserved Sacrament). A vigil
light, representing the presence of Christ in the Reserved Sacrament
burns, either in front of the Tabernacle or -- as at St. George --
underneath the Holy Table. Other objects are prohibited from being
placed on the Holy Table unless dedicated for regular use in the
Services.
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
n the North side area of the Sanctuary is the Prothesis. The Prothesis
is a small table (or niche) where the Bread and Wine are prepared for
the Liturgy.
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ther items found in the Sanctuary include a Processional Cross,
Lanterns, and the Seraphim Fans (representing the Angels that surround
the Throne of God) used in processions. Other rooms include areas for
the clergy and acolytes to vest, etc..
On the East wall of the Sanctuary is either an Icon or window depicting
the Virgin. In some churches the Apse of the East wall features a large
Icon of the Virgin with hands extended (often with the Christ-child
standing in front of her). This Icon is titled The Platitera -- "She
who is more spacious than the Heavens" -- an attribute to the Virgin
that recognizes her role as birth-giver to God the Son.
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
ther Icons usually are found in various locations in an Orthodox
Church. One favorite custom has Icons gracing the ceiling of the Nave
of the Church. At. St. George, the North side of the ceiling features
(from West to East) St. Thomas the Apostle, St. Mark the Evangelist, St.
Matthew the Evangelist, and a large Icon of St. George killing the
dragon. The South side of the ceiling features (from West to East) St.
Peter the Apostle, St. Luke the Evangelist, St. John the Theologian (and
Evangelist), and a large Icon of St. Demetrios killing the Gladiator.
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
Photo: St. Geor. Ant. Ort. Church |
 Text: St. George Antiochian Orthodox Church |
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