Back forward
Attention! Slide previews are for informational purposes only and may not represent all the features of the presentation. If you are interested in this work, please download the full version.
Everyone knows that it is difficult to enter an unfamiliar room for the first time, especially into an Orthodox church. On class hour you can take a virtual tour of the temple, tell how it is structured, how to behave when entering the temple and thereby help you cross its threshold.
It's no secret that many people, when they get to a temple (especially an unfamiliar one), get lost. It may seem to some that all temples are different. In fact, all temples are built according to a similar principle and the location of the main temple elements is also the same.
The presented material does not pretend to fully disclose this large and complex issue, but represents only a summary of the first acquaintance.
Slide 3
The temple is intended directly for believers.
An Orthodox church is divided into three parts: the vestibule, the church itself (middle part) and the altar.
IN narthex Previously, there were those who were preparing for baptism and those who repented, temporarily excommunicated from communion. The porches in monastery churches were also often used as refectory areas.
Slide 4
The main part of the temple is altar, the place is holy, so the uninitiated are not allowed to enter it. The altar means the sky where God dwells, and the temple means the earth.
Word " altar" means high altar.
The altar is the place where the Lord Jesus Christ resides.
Slide 5
The altar rises above the middle part and is separated from the temple by an iconostasis.
Slide 6
Altar in the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.
Slide 7, 8
The main shrine of the temple is the THRONE, a specially consecrated quadrangular table, decorated with two materials: the lower one - white linen and the upper one - made of brocade. On the throne there is always an antimension, the altar Gospel, a cross, a tabernacle, a monstrance, rising in the middle of it.
The tabernacle is a box in the shape of a small church. The holy gifts for the communion of the sick are kept here. And the priest goes to their house for communion with the monstrance.
Slide 9
The antimension is the main sacred object of the temple, a silk cloth consecrated by the bishop, with an image on it of the position of Jesus Christ in the tomb and always with a particle of the relics of some saint sewn on its other side.
In the first centuries of Christianity, the liturgy was always celebrated at the tombs of martyrs over their relics. The service cannot be performed without an antimension. It is not for nothing that the word antimins itself is translated from Greek as “in place of the throne.” Usually the antimension is wrapped in another cloth - iliton, reminiscent of the bandage on the head of Christ in the tomb.
Slide 10
The Lord himself is mysteriously and invisibly present on the throne, as the King and Ruler of the Church. Only clergy can touch and kiss the throne.
Slide 11
On the altar, near the northern wall, there is a special table called altar. This is where the bread and wine for communion are prepared. For their ceremonial preparation during the ceremony (proskomedia) on the altar are: chalice- a holy cup into which wine and water are poured (symbol of the blood of Christ); paten- a dish on a stand for the sacramental bread (symbol of the body of Christ); star- two arcs connected by a cross so that they can be placed on the paten and the cover does not touch the particles of the prosphora (the star is a symbol of the star of Bethlehem); copy- a sharp stick for removing particles from prosphoras (symbol of the spear that pierced Christ on the cross); liar- spoon for communion of believers; sponge for wiping blood vessels. The prepared communion bread is covered with a cover. Small covers are called integuments, and the largest ones are called air.
Slide 12
The place behind the throne near the eastern wall is specially made a little elevated, called “ mountainous place” and is considered the holiest place even on the altar. A seat (throne) is placed here, intended for the bishop and flanked by co-altars (symmetrical benches adjacent to the inner eastern wall of the altar on both sides of the high place).
A large seven-branched candlestick and a large altar cross are traditionally located here.
In addition, behind the altar barrier are stored: censer, are stored: censer, dikiriy(double candlestick) and trikirium(three-branched candlestick) and ripids(metal circles-fans on the handles, which deacons blow over the gifts when consecrating them).
Slide 13
Iconostasis
Separates the altar from the rest of the temple iconostasis. True, some part of the altar is located in front of the iconostasis. They call her salty(Greek “elevation in the middle of the temple”), and its middle solea - pulpit(Greek: “I rise”). From the pulpit, the priest pronounces the most significant words during the service. The pulpit is symbolically very significant. This is also the mountain from which Christ preached; and the Bethlehem cave where he was born; and the stone from which the angel announced to the women about the ascension of Christ. Along the edges of the salts near the walls of the temple they arrange choirs- places for singers and readers. The very name of the kliros comes from the name of the singer-priests “kliroshans”, that is, singers from the clergy, clergy (Greek “lot, allotment”). At the very choirs they usually place banners- icons on fabric, attached to long poles in the form of banners. They are worn during religious processions.
There are three doors in the iconostasis separating the temple from the altar. The middle ones - the largest - are called the royal doors. No one goes through them except clergy. In addition to the doors, the royal doors are covered by a curtain, usually red. The royal doors themselves are decorated with icons of the Annunciation and images of the four evangelists. And above them is placed an icon depicting the Last Supper.
In large cathedrals, as a rule, the iconostasis consists of five tiers, or five rows of icons. These tiers are connected into a single whole:
This is a traditional iconostasis device. But there are often others where, for example, the festive row may be higher than the Deesis, or there may not be one at all.
Slide 14
If we enter the Cathedral of Christ the Savior through the western doors, we will see, first of all, an altar with an iconostasis. The main iconostasis of the Temple is an octagonal chapel made of white marble, with ornaments and inlay with colored marbles and complex stone carvings. Carrara marble from Italy, domestic stones labradorite, red granite, porphyry, and jasper were used in the work.
The chapel is crowned with a bronze gilded tent, tapering upward and ending with a chapter reminiscent of one of the chapters of the Intercession Cathedral. The huge internal space under the dome of the Temple symbolically personifies Red Square - the center of Moscow and Russia, preserved by Christ the Savior.
The iconostasis consists of four tiers designed to accommodate icons. There is a throne inside. The vault of the iconostasis-chapel rises above the third, and the bronze gilded tent - above the fourth tier. On its front side there is a span for the Royal Doors. The height of the unique iconostasis, including the tent, is 26.6 m. It is taller than a six-story building.
Slide 14
New iconostasis in the skete on VALAAM
Slide 15
Middle part of the temple
this part of the temple also marks the region of earthly existence, the world of people, but already justified, sanctified, deified.
Slide 16
In the center of the temple there is always an icon of the holiday, or, as it is sometimes called, the Festive Icon.
It is located on a lectern (a special table with an inclined lid). From this icon it is easy to find out what holiday is celebrated on this day. On Sunday an icon of the Resurrection of Christ is placed, on major holidays - an icon of the celebrated event. On an ordinary day - a monthly icon (usually small in size), that is, showing the saints of this week, or even the calendar month.
You can always have two instead of one icon (in the center of the temple). On one there will be an icon of the holiday, and on the other - an icon of the saint (or the Lord, or the Mother of God) in whose honor the temple was consecrated.
Slide 17
In the middle part of the temple, along with other icons, it is considered obligatory to have the image of Golgotha - a large wooden Cross with the image of the crucified Savior, often made life-size - the height of a person.
Golgotha is the name given to the image of the Crucifixion of Christ. Eve- a special table on which candles are placed in memory of the deceased.
It is near the Crucifixion that we pray for the dead, serve memorial services, and funeral services in absentia.
Slide 18
In the middle part of the temple, usually near the northern wall, there is a table with a qanun (canon) - a quadrangular marble or metal board with many cells for candles and a small Crucifix.
Slide 19
The narthex is the entrance to the temple.
The symbolic meaning of the porch is the place of contact between the divine and the earth.
This is the world of people. In the first centuries of Christianity, penitents and catechumens stood in the vestibule.
Today, candle or book stalls are set up in the vestibules. Although, when making a purchase, we make it in a specially designated place - the vestibule, and not in the temple itself, we should maintain reverence and silence. If in ancient times the vestibule was separated from the temple by a blank wall, today the vestibule is part of the temple.
Sources
1. Photo album of priest Konstantin Parkhomenko http://azbyka.ru/parkhomenko/foto/
2. “The ABCs of Orthodoxy” educational video. Studio of Anastasia Dadyko “Interesting Cinema”.
3. Temple architecture http://www.golddomes.ru/cerkov/cerkov1.shtml
4. Alexander Petrov. Construction of an Orthodox church http://ourways.ru/article/article-24.html
A temple is a consecrated building in which believers gather to pray to God. Large churches in large cities are called cathedrals or simply cathedrals. Temples end with domes (domes) topped with crosses - to remind us that our salvation was achieved through the suffering of the Lord on the Cross.
Temples can have One chapter - in honor of the one God; One chapter - in honor of the one God; Three chapters - in honor of the Holy Trinity (very rare, such church buildings are unique); Three chapters - in honor of the Holy Trinity (very rare, such church buildings are unique); Five chapters - in honor of the Savior and 4 evangelists; Five chapters - in honor of the Savior and 4 evangelists; Seven chapters - in honor of the 7 Church Sacraments and 7 Ecumenical Councils; Seven chapters - in honor of the 7 Church Sacraments and 7 Ecumenical Councils; Thirteen chapters - in honor of the Savior and 12 apostles.Thirteen chapters - in honor of the Savior and 12 apostles. 33 chapters 24 chapters
Inside the temple, as a rule, is divided into 3 parts: 1 part from the entrance - the vestibule; 1 part from the entrance - the vestibule; Part 2 – middle – intended for those praying; Part 2 – middle – intended for those praying; 3rd part - eastern, separated from the middle part by the iconostasis, intended for clergy - altar. 3rd part - eastern, separated from the middle part by the iconostasis, intended for clergy - altar. The altar symbolizes spiritual Heaven, paradise, the special place of God.
Altar In the center of the altar is the Throne - the main shrine of the temple. This is a place of especially blessed presence of the Almighty. The altar is separated from the main space of the temple by an iconostasis, which consists of 1 or several rows of icons. There are three doors in it. The central one, consisting of 2 doors, is called the Royal Doors, because the King of Glory, Christ, walks through them during the Divine Liturgy.
Iconostasis In the lowest row of the iconostasis there are icons of the Savior and the Mother of God. Temple icon with the image of the saint in whose honor the temple is named. In the 2nd tier from the bottom there are icons of two holidays. In the 3rd row are icons of the apostles, angels and saints. In the 4th row are icons of the Old Testament prophets. In the 5th row are icons of the Old Testament ancestors of the human race. The top of the iconostasis is crowned with a cross.
In front of the icons, lamps are installed - oil lamps, as well as candlesticks on which candles are placed. In front of the icons, lamps are installed - oil lamps, as well as candlesticks on which candles are placed. In the center of the temple there is a high inclined table - a lectern. A temple icon or an icon of a currently celebrated church event is usually located here.
Eve A special place in the temple is reserved for the remembrance of the departed. It is called the eve and is a 4-corner table with an image of the Crucifixion and cells for placing candles for repose. Nearby is a table for food that believers bring to the temple for donations. Kanun is located on the left side (from the entrance) of the middle part of the temple.
When we come to church, we often see people we know and neighbors on the threshold of the church. They do not enter there only because they are unfamiliar with the most basic rules of behavior in the temple. Hegumen Vissarion from the Trinity-Sergius Lavra writes his poems about this, easily talking about not at all simple things. Let's take a look at these simple rules to see if we behave correctly in the temple.
Memo Before entering the cathedral, take off your headdress, drive away evil thoughts: You don’t need them. Don’t judge anyone, give help to a beggar, light a candle and then cross yourself. Keep your thoughts of God, drive away laziness, make peace with God in your soul, pray for the whole world. Don’t push the Bogomolets, get used to the rank in the church, don’t look around: it’s not good for us. Whether it’s an old woman or a girl, don’t look at their faces, lower your eyes to the ground, be sad about your sins. With humility, like a tax collector, look at the holy altar, Where the Spirit of God dwells and feeds us with grace.
Memo Listen to the singing and the service, Break off friendship with demons, Do not accept their intrigues, Listen to the Word of God. And I will say from the bottom of my heart: Don’t rush to leave the church, Stay at the service until the end, Listen to your father’s sermon. Then venerate the cross, make a promise to Christ, that you intend to correct yourself, and remain faithful to your vows. Don’t waste your time, love God’s service. And while your soul is in your chest, come to prayer.
The basic principles of the architecture of the temple, its internal structure and paintings are conveyed in church tradition. The basic principles of the architecture of the temple, its internal structure and paintings are conveyed in church tradition. The symbolism of the temple was revealed in detail in the 4th–8th centuries. in the works of the holy fathers - the creators of the canons: Maximus the Confessor, Sophronius, Herman, Andrew of Crete, John of Damascus, Simeon of Thessalonica. The symbolism of the temple was revealed in detail in the 4th–8th centuries. in the works of the holy fathers - the creators of the canons: Maximus the Confessor, Sophronius, Herman, Andrew of Crete, John of Damascus, Simeon of Thessalonica.
Temple - “house of the Lord” Temple is a sacred place where members of the Church partake of Divine life in the sacraments. A temple is a sacred place where members of the Church partake of Divine life in the sacraments. The temple is an image of the entire Divine Kingdom, to which the Church leads the whole world. The temple is an image of the entire Divine Kingdom, to which the Church leads the whole world. The temple is a world, a universe, the meaning of which is given by participation in the work of Salvation. The temple is a world, a universe, the meaning of which is given by participation in the work of Salvation.
The temple is an image of the world. At the base there is a stone with the image of the temple and 12 other stones, in commemoration of the fact that the Church rests on Christ and the 12 apostles. At the base there is a stone with the image of the temple and 12 other stones, in commemoration of the fact that the Church rests on Christ and the 12 apostles. The temple has four walls corresponding to the four cardinal directions; they are built equal in size and form a cube. The temple has four walls corresponding to the four cardinal directions; they are built equal in size and form a cube. Walls signify nations; there are four of them, because they accept converging on four sides. Walls mean nations; there are four of them, because they accept converging on four sides Peter of Karnatsky (XII century) Peter of Karnatsky (XII century)
Orthodox Church The Orthodox Church is divided into three parts: the vestibule, the temple itself (middle part) and the altar. An Orthodox church is divided into three parts: the vestibule, the church itself (middle part) and the altar. the altar is the region of God's existence, the altar is the region of God's existence, the temple itself is the region of the angelic world, the temple itself is the region of the angelic world, the vestibule is the region of earthly existence. the porch is the area of earthly existence.
Altar The altar, the most important part of the temple, is always located on the eastern side of the temple. The word "altar" means "high altar." The altar, the most important part of the temple, is always located on the eastern side of the temple. The word "altar" means "high altar." It symbolically depicts the place where Christ sits on the throne with the apostles. It symbolically depicts the place where Christ sits on the throne with the apostles.
Solea, pulpit Solea - “elevation” to the west, towards the worshipers. This is a place for singers and readers, who symbolize the angels singing the praises of God. Solea - “elevation” to the west, towards the worshipers. This is a place for singers and readers, who symbolize the angels singing the praises of God. The pulpit is a semicircular protrusion of the sole, which also marks the mountain or ship from which the Lord Jesus Christ preached. The pulpit is a semicircular protrusion of the sole, which also marks the mountain or ship from which the Lord Jesus Christ preached.
Iconostasis Iconostasis - an altar partition, more or less continuous, from the northern to the southern wall of the temple, consisting of several rows of orderly placed icons Iconostasis - an altar partition, more or less continuous, from the northern to the southern wall of the temple, consisting of several rows of orderly placed icons Iconostasis shows the formation and life of the Church over time. The iconostasis shows the formation and life of the Church over time.
The iconostasis is the top row - forefathers, representing the Old Testament Church from Adam to the Law of Moses; the top row is forefathers, representing the Old Testament Church from Adam to the Law of Moses. The second row is the persons standing under the law, this is the Old Testament Church from Moses to Christ. The second row is the persons standing under the law, this is the Old Testament Church from Moses to Christ. The third row is festive, here the earthly life of Christ is depicted. The third row is festive, here the earthly life of Christ is depicted. The fourth row symbolizes the prayer of the Church for the whole world. The fourth row symbolizes the prayer of the Church for the whole world. The lower (local) row contains images of locally revered saints, as well as an icon of the holiday to which the church is dedicated. The lower (local) row contains images of locally revered saints, as well as an icon of the holiday to which the church is dedicated.
The middle part of the temple The middle part of the temple, the “ship,” represents the entire earthly space where the universal Church of Christ (prayers) is located. The middle part of the temple, the “ship,” represents the entire earthly space where the universal Church of Christ (prayers) is located.
The western side of the temple symbolizes the “land of the dead” and hell. On this side, as a rule, the dead were buried - inside or outside the temple. The Porch is a symbol of the world still lying in sin, even hell itself. Therefore, the vestibule is located in the western part of the temple, opposite the altar - a symbol of heaven.
Vaults, pillars, dome. Above the four walls of the main part of the temple rises a vault, usually in the form of a hemisphere, just as the sky extends above the four cardinal points. Above the four walls of the main part of the temple rises a vault, usually in the form of a hemisphere, just as the sky extends above the four cardinal points. Pillars. The four pillars supporting the dome depict those who preached the word of God, Christian faith, The true pillars of the Church are the apostles, bishops, ascetics, and martyrs. Pillars. On the four pillars supporting the dome are depicted those who preached the word of God, the Christian faith, the True pillars of the Church - apostles, bishops, ascetics, martyrs. The dome depicts the Head of the Church - Christ the Pantocrator. The dome depicts the Head of the Church - Christ the Pantocrator.
Symbolism of the architecture of the temple The top of the temple consists of a base, which is sometimes called a “tribune”, as well as a “neck”, a head consisting of a “pomp” and a cross. The top of the temple consists of a base, which is sometimes called the “tribune”, as well as a “neck”, a head consisting of a “pomp” and a cross.
Cross The cross is the main Christian symbol of Christ Himself and a symbol of the way of the cross. The appearance of the cross also indicates the sacrament of the Trinity: the Cross is the main Christian symbol of Christ Himself and a symbol of the way of the cross. The appearance of the cross also indicates the mystery of the Trinity: with its vertical it points us to God the Father, with its transverse crossbar - to the Son and the Holy Spirit; with its vertical, it points us to God the Father, with its transverse crossbar - to the Son and the Holy Spirit
The shape of the head is a hemisphere - an image of the even radiance or light of God descending from heaven. The image of a flame is a symbol of prayers addressed by believers to God; the shape of the head is a hemisphere - an image of the even radiance or light of God descending from heaven. The image of a flame is a symbol of prayers addressed by believers to God
The many domes of temples One chapter signifies the unity of God. One chapter signifies the unity of God. Two chapters correspond to the two natures of the God-man Jesus Christ. Two chapters correspond to the two natures of the God-man Jesus Christ. Three chapters commemorate the Holy Trinity. Three chapters commemorate the Holy Trinity. The four chapters represent the Four Gospels and its spread to the four cardinal directions. The four chapters represent the Four Gospels and its spread to the four cardinal directions. The five chapters represent the Lord Jesus Christ and the four evangelists. The five chapters represent the Lord Jesus Christ and the four evangelists. The seven chapters commemorate the seven sacraments of the Church, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Ecumenical Councils. The seven chapters commemorate the seven sacraments of the Church, the seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, the seven Ecumenical Councils. The nine chapters are associated with the image of the heavenly Church, consisting of nine orders of angels and nine orders of righteous people. Nine chapters are associated with the image of the heavenly Church, consisting of nine orders of angels and nine orders of righteous people. Thirteen chapters are the sign of the Lord Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles. Thirteen chapters are the sign of the Lord Jesus Christ and the twelve apostles. The twenty-five chapters may be a sign of the apocalyptic vision of the throne of the Holy Trinity and the twenty-four elders, or denote praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary, depending on the dedication of the temple. The twenty-five chapters may be a sign of the apocalyptic vision of the throne of the Holy Trinity and the twenty-four elders, or denote praise to the Blessed Virgin Mary, depending on the dedication of the temple. Thirty-three chapters are the number of earthly years of the Savior. Thirty-three chapters are the number of earthly years of the Savior.
Symbolism of the material Stone is, first of all, a symbol of Christ Himself. The stone is primarily a symbol of Christ Himself. The tree is a symbol of the Tree of Life of the Garden of Eden, in which righteous souls abide. The tree is a symbol of the Tree of Life of the Garden of Eden, in which righteous souls abide.
Literature 1. Kudryavtsev M.P. Russian Temple // To the Light S Kudryavtsev M., Kudryavtseva T. Russian Orthodox Church: Symbolic Language of Architectural Forms // To the Light S Troitsky N. Christian Orthodox Church in its Idea // To the Light S Losev A.F. Dialectics of myth. M., S. Mokeev G.Ya., Kudryavtsev M.P. About a typical Russian church of the 17th century. // Architectural heritage pp. 70–79 6. Troitsky N.I. Iconostasis and its symbolism // Orthodox Review Book. 4