The Eastern Orthodox Temple

THE CHURCH – TEMPLE

The Church Divine-Services may be performed both in houses, in the fields; but it is chiefly celebrated in the Temple (Church).

The Temple is consecrated by the Bishop or a priest. At the Bishop's consecration a part of the holy relics is brought into the Temple with a special solemnity and placed in a shrine under the holy table. The holy table (prestol) and the walls of the Temple are anointed with the holy chrism (miro).

The Church is made in the form of either a cross, or a ship, or a star, or a circle. The form of the cross given to the temple means that the latter is dedicated to the Lord who for our sake was crucified. The appearance of a ship in the temple reminds us that only in the Church can we be saved: just as the sea can be crossed in a ship, so, in the midst of the temptations of life, only in the Church can we find rest, salvation and reach the heaven in life to come. The circular shape of the temple signifies that the Church, in conformity with the Saviour's promise, shall abide on earth unto the end of the world and even then will not terminate her existence, but will merely be transformed from the Church militant on earth into the Church triumphant in heaven. The octagonal construction of the temple, like a star, means that Christ's teaching alone, which is preached in the Church, shows us the way to the heavenly Kingdom. The temples are constructed with the altars looking to the East.

Over the Temple rises the cupola (dome) which for the faithful means the heaven, and it is surmounted by a cross. The cupola reminds us that the head of the Church is the Lord Jesus Christ. Sometimes as many as five cupolas are erected on the Temple. The biggest then means the Lord Jesus Christ and the remaining four Evangelists. The Cross on the top of the Church signifies that we can be saved only through the sufferings of the Lord Jesus Christ on the cross.

The Church is divided into three parts: 1) the entrance, 2) the nave (middle part), and 3) the altar.

In the entrance formerly stood the catechumens, that is those who were receiving instruction in the truths of the Christian faith and preparing themselves for Baptism.

In the nave (middle portion of the Temple) stand the faithful. Here are erected: the soleya, ambon, choirs (klyrosses [kliroses, singular kliros]). By the first is called an elevation just in front of the iconostasis and provided with two, three and sometimes even more steps. The Ambon is in the middle of the soleya and sometimes projects in a semi-circular form into the nave. From this elevation the Gospel is read, the ectenias [litanies, alt. ektenia] are said and sermons delivered. The klyrosses are placed at both ends of the soleya and are used by the singers and readers.

The third and the most important part of the Temple is the altar (Sanctuary). It is here, strictly speaking, that the Divine-Services are performed and the bloodless sacrifice of the Lord's Body and Blood is offered. For this reason, into the altar only those can be admitted who are consecrated.

In the middle of the altar is placed the holy table (prestol). It is covered with two vestments.

On the holy table are kept: 1) the Antiminsion [alt. Antimension, or Antimins], 2) the Cross, 3) the Book of the Gospel, 4) the Tabernacle.

The Antiminsion is a linen or silken kerchief upon which, in the celebration of the Liturgy, the paten and chalice are placed. On the Antiminsion are represented the laying of the Lord Jesus Christ in the tomb, the holy Evangelists and the instruments used at the Lord's passion. The Antiminsion is consecrated by the Bishop, being at the same time anointed with Chrism and having placed inside it a portion of holy relics. The word "Antiminsion" signifies "in the place of the holy table". It is placed on the holy table: 1) in memory of an ancient custom, 2) in testimony that the holy table has been consecrated by the Bishop and that it is with his Blessing that Divine-Services are performed thereon. The silken kerchief in which the Antiminsion is kept, is called the Illiton (wrapper).

The Cross and the Book of the Gospels are placed on the holy table because our Salvation was accomplished on the cross and the Gospels point to us the way to salvation.

The tabernacle is a chest, made in a shape of a Church, in which the holy gifts are kept during the great Lent (for the Liturgy of the Presanctified) and throughout the year in cases when the communion is to be administered to the sick. The vessel in which the holy gifts are carried to the sick is called the Pix (daronositza).

In the north-eastern part of the altar (sanctuary) is placed a small altar, called "zsertvennik" [zhertvennik; Table of Oblation], on which the bread and wine, necessary for the celebration of the holy Communion, are prepared. This preparation is called "proskomidia" [alt. Proskomedia].

 

The above text was excerpted from The Most Useful Knowledge for the Orthodox Russian-American Young People, compiled by V. Rev. Peter G. Kohanik (Passaic, NJ: n.p., 1932–1934), using only minimal adjustments to the original text (such as correcting typographical errors and adding clarification in brackets of alternate transliterated spellings).