My beloved spiritual children in Christ Our Only True God and Our Only True Savior,
CHRIST IS IN OUR MIDST! HE WAS, IS, AND EVER SHALL BE.
+
ORTHODOX CHURCH ARCHITECTURE (Part II)
History
While sharing many traditions, East and West in Christianity began to diverge from each other from an early date. Whereas the basilica, a long aisled hall with an apse at one end, was the most common form in the West, a more centralized style became predominant in the East. These churches were in origin 'martyria' focused on the tombs of the Saints--specifically, the Martyrs who had died during the persecutions, which only fully ended with the conversion of Emperor Constantine. They copied pagan tombs and were roofed over by a dome which symbolized heaven. The Central Dome was then often surrounded by structures at the four points of the compass producing a cruciform shape--these were themselves often topped by towers or domes. The centralized and Basilica structure were sometimes combined as in the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. The Basilican East end then allowed for the erection of an iconostasis, a screen at those points in the Liturgy when its doors are opened.
A variant form of the centralized church was developed in Russia and came to prominence in the 16th century. Here the dome was replaced by a much thinner and taller hipped or conical roof which, it is said, originated from the need to prevent snow from remaining on roofs. One of the finest examples of these tented churches is Saint Basil's in Red Square in Moscow.
For a long time, churches and aristocratic palaces were dominating in the art of architecture therefore the evolution of Orthodox churches are presented in great detail in articles "Byzantine architecture" and "Russian architecture."
Unlike Western Christian architecture with its tendencies of modernity (see e.g. Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral or Notre Dame du Haut). Orthodox architecture style remains largely conservative and traditional. One notable and architecturally important exception is Frank Lloyd Wright's of Annunciation Greek Orthodox church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, in the US.
Terminology
The words "church" and "temple", are interchangeable; however, the term "church" (Greek: εκκλησία) is far more common in English. The term "temple" (Greek: ναός) is also commonly applied to larger churches. Some famous churches which are occasionally referred to as temples include Hagia Sophia, Saint Basil's Cathedral, Cathedral of Christ the Savior, Temple of Saint Sava.
Some churches have a special status. In Greek, Diocesan sees are referred to as καθεδρικός ναός (Cathedral church or temple).
The major church in a monastery is called a catholicon, and may be served for major services, lesser services being celebrated in other churches in the monastery.
A church independent of local eparchy is called "stavropegion" (Greek stavropegion means "mounting of the cross").
Orthodox church buildings have the following basic shapes, each with its own symbolism:
* Elongated: rectangle, rounded rectangle (oval), symbolizing the ship as a means of salvation (Noa's Ark)
* Cruciform (cross shaped)
* Circular
The cupola instead of a flat ceiling symbolizes the sky. The Altar (Sanctuary) is situated in the Eastern part of the church, regardless of its shape. A bell tower is attached to (or built separately by) the Western part of the church.
The church building has many symbolic meanings; perhaps the oldest and most prominent is the concept that the Church is the Ark of Salvation (as Noah's Ark) in which the world is saved from the flood of temptations. Because of this, most Orthodox Churches are rectangular in design. Another shape, especially for churches with large choirs is cruciform or cross-shaped. Architectural patterns may vary in shape and complexity, with chapels sometimes added around the main church, or triple altars (Liturgy may only be performed once a day on any particular altar), but in general, the symbolic layout of the church remains the same.
A major difference of traditional Orthodox churches from Western churches is absence any pews in the nave. In some ethnic traditions of Orthodoxy, it was deemed disrespectful to sit during sermons. However in some churches in the West and particularly in the diaspora churches in the USA, pews and kneelers were introduced, under the influence of other Christian traditions.
Narthex
The Narthex is the connection between the Church and the outside world and for this reason catechumens (pre-baptized Orthodox) and non-Orthodox are to stand here (note: the tradition of allowing only confirmed Orthodox into the Nave of the church has for the most part fallen into disuse). In monastic churches it is usual for the lay people visiting the monastery to stand in the Narthex while the monks or nuns stand in the Nave. Separating the Narthex from the Nave are the Royal Doors (from the time of the Byzantine Empire, when the Emperor would enter the main body of Hagia Sophia, the Church of Holy Wisdom, through these doors and proceed up to the Altar to partake of the Holy Eucharist). On either side of this portal are large brass candlestands called manoualia which represent the pillars of fire that went before the Hebrews into the Promised Land.
Nave
The Nave is the main body of the church where the people stand during the services. In most traditional Easter Orthodox churches there are no seats or pews as in the West, but rather stacidia (a high-armed chair with arm rests high enough to be used for support while standing); these are usually found along the walls. Traditionally there is no sitting during services with the only exceptions being during the reading of the Psalms, and the priest's sermon. The people stand before God. However, many exceptions to this can be found in Western countries, especially the US, where familiarity with Catholic and Protestant churches has led to similarities in church furnishings. It is not uncommon to encounter both pews and kneelers.
The walls are normally covered from floor to ceiling with holy icons or wall paintings of Saints, their lives, and stories from the Holy Bible. Because the church building is a direct extension of its Jewish roots where men and women stand separately, the Orthodox Church continued this practice, with men standing on the right and women on the left. With this arrangement, it is emphasized that we are all equal before God (equal distance from the Altar), and that the man is not superior to the woman. In many modern churches, this traditional practice has been altered and families stand together.
Above the Nave in the Dome of the church is the holy icon of Christ the Almighty (Παντοκράτωρ/Pantokrator, "Ruler of All"). Directly hanging below the Dome (in more traditional churches) is usually a kind of circular chandelier with depiction of the Saints and Apostles, called the horos. (Wikepedia)
___________________________
"Glory Be To GOD For All Things!" - Saint John Chrysostom
+++
With sincere agape in His Holy Diakonia (Ministry)
The sinner and unworthy servant of God
+Father George