According to religious canons, the Orthodox Church is the house of God.

In it, the Lord surrounded by the Angels and Saints is invisible for everyone.

In the Old Testament, people are given clear instructions from God, which should be like a place for worship. Orthodox churches built in a new covenant comply with the requirements of the Old Testament.

According to the canons of the Old Testament, the architecture of the temple was divided into three parts: the holy of the saints, the sanctuary and the courtyard. In the Orthodox church, built on the New Testament, all space, respectively, is also divided into three zones: the altar, the middle part (ship) and the imposition. Both in the Old Testament "Holy Saints" and in the New Testament - the altar, refer to the kingdom of heaven. This place is allowed to enter only the clergyman, because by the teachings the kingdom of heaven after the fall was closed in front of people. According to the laws of the Old Testament, this territory once a year was allowed a priest with sacrificial purification blood. The high priest is considered the prototype of Jesus Christ on Earth, and this action gave people to understand that the hour would come when Christ, the pain and incredible suffering on the cross, will open the kingdom of heaven for a person.

The torn in a sunrise, hiding the holy of holy marks that Jesus Christ, having adopted a martyrdom, opened the gates of the kingdom of heaven for everyone who accepted and believes in God.

The middle part of the Orthodox church, or the ship corresponds to the Old Testament concept of the sanctuary. There is only one difference. If, according to the laws of the Old Testament, only a priest could enter this territory, in the Orthodox church in this place there may be all respectable Christians. This is due to the fact that now, the kingdom of God is not closed to anyone. It is not allowed to visit the ship to people who have committed a grave sin or apostasy.

The indoor room in the Old Testament Temple corresponds to the place, referred to as the primer or the refectory, in the Orthodox church. Unlike the altar, the PET is located in the temple attached from the west side. This place was allowed to attend to accepted people who were preparing to accept baptism rites. Here sinners were sent for correction. IN modern worldIn this regard, the Pretake lost its former importance.

The construction of the Orthodox church is conducted in compliance with strict rules. The altar of the temple is always facing the East, where the sun goes back. It marks for all believers that Jesus Christ is "East", from where the divine light comes up and shines.

I mention in prayers the name of Jesus Christ, they say: "The Sun of Truth", "from the height of the East", "East of Olev," "East name to him."

Church architecture

Altar - (Latin Altaria - high altar). Sacred place in the temple of the Ascension of Prayer and bringing bloodless victim. Located in the eastern part of the Orthodox Church, separated from the rest of the placement by the altar obstacle, the iconostasis. It has a three-part division: the throne is located in the center, on the left, from the north - the altar, where wine and bread for communion is preparing, on the right, from the south - the Dyaconnik, where books, clothes and sacred vessels are stored.

Apse - a semicircular or polygonal protrusion in the temple, where the altar is located.

Arcaten belt - A series of decorative wall-mounted decorations in the form of small arches.

Drum - The upper part of the temple, having a cylindrical or multifaceted shape, to which the dome is erected.

Baroque - Style architectural structures, popular at the turn of the XVII-XVIII centuries. Was disting from complex forms, painting and decorative pomp.

Barrel - One of the forms of the coating in the form of two rounded rods, which are jammed under the lip of the roof.

Octa - A structure having the form of the right octagon.

Chapter - Dome, whoas the temple building.

Zakomara - Completed in the form of a semicircular completion of the upper outer walls of the church.

Iconostasis - The obstacle made from the icons located in several tiers, which separates the altar from the main part of the temple.

Interior - Interior building of the building.

Cornice - The protrusion on the wall, located horizontally the base of the building and intended for maintaining the roof.

Kokoshnik - Element of decorative roof decoration, resembling a traditional female headdress.

Column - An element of architecture made in the form of a circular post. Characteristic for buildings performed in the style of classicism.

Composition- Combining parts of the building into a single logical integer.

Konk - Bog, on the border of the roofing rods.

Buttress - Vertical protrusion in the bearing wall, designed to give greater stability of the structure.

Cubic - The concept determining the inner volume of the temple.

Lemeh- The name of the species of tiles, made of wood. I found the application to cover chapters, barrels and other tops of the temple.

Shopper - Vertical ledge, flat shape, located in the wall of the building.

Bulb - Church chapter, form reminiscent of the head of Luke.

Concubine- An element of scenery used for the frame of the window opening.

NEF (ship) - The inner part of the temple located between the arcades.

Porch - The place made in the form of an open or closed ring in front of the entrance to the temple.

Sail - elements of the dome design in the form of a spherical triangle, providing the transition from square in terms of bribing space to the circumference of the drum.

Pilyast - vertical protrusion on the surface of the wall, flat shape, performing structural or decorative functions. The dump is part of the building corresponding to the lower floors.

Blurry - Element decorative decoration Buildings in the form of a bricks building facade at the edge of the facade, resembling a shape of a saw.

Portal - Entrance to the building with elements of architectural filling.

Portico - Gallery made using columns or pillars. Usually fines the entrance to the building.

Throne - The element of the church altar, made in the form of a high table.

Prieste - an extension to the main building of the church, having his throne in the altar and dedicated to one of the saints or church holidays.

Focus- part of the room with the functions of the hallway in front of the portal of the church.

Reconstruction - Works related to repair, restructuring or restoration of the building.

Restoration - Works aimed at restoring the initial type of building or subject.

Rotunda - Construction of a round shape with a roof in the form of a dome.

Rustication - One of the elements of decorative surface treatment of the wall. Special method Applying plaster, to simulate masonry from large stone

Arch - Architectural construction of the building overlap in the form of a convex curvilinear surface.

Refectory - an extension from the western side of the Church. There was a venue of sermons, public assemblies. This was sent here as a punishment for sins, for their redemption.

Facade - The term used in architecture, to designate one of the parties to the building.

Chetverik - Building in the form of a rectangle with four angles.

Tent - construction in the form of a polyhedral of a pyramidal shape, which served as the coating of churches and bells.

Fly - decorative decoration element, made in the form of a rectangular depression in the wall.

Apple - The element on the dome, made in the form of a bowl under the base of the cross.

Tier - division of the volume of the building in a horizontal plane, with a decrease of height.

Temple of God, in its own way appearancedifferent from other buildings. The greatest part, the temple, in its base, is arranged in the form of a cross. This means that the temple is dedicated to the Lord crucified for us and that the Lord Jesus Christ is rid of us from the power of the devil. Often the temple is arranged in the form of an oblong ship, it means that the church, like a ship, in the image of a novel ark, leads us by the sea of \u200b\u200blife to a quiet pier in the kingdom of heaven. Sometimes the temple is arranged in the form of a circle, this is reminded to us the eternity of the Church of Christ. Maybe the temple be arranged in the form of an octagon, as it were, the stars meaning that the church, like a guide star, shines in this world.

Every temple is dedicated to God, wearing a name in memory of the one or another sacred event or the ward of God, for example, Troitsky Temple, Preobrazhensky, Voznesensky, Blagoveshchensky, Pokrovsky, Mikhailo Arkhangelsky, Nikolaevsky, etc.

The building of the temple is usually completed from above domedepicting the sky. The dome ends up governingwhere the cross is put, the head of the chapter of the Church is Jesus Christ. Often it is not built on the temple not one, but several chapters, then: two chapters mean two natural (divine and human) in Jesus Christ; three chapters - Three persons of St. Trinity; five chapters - Jesus Christ and four evangelists, seven Heads - seven sacraments and seven Ecumenical cathedrals, nine chapters - Nine Angel Chins, thirteen Heads - Jesus Christ and twelve apostles, and sometimes build a greater number of chapters.

The form of the dome also has a symbolic meaning. The helmet form reminded of the military, about the spiritual struggle, which the church is leading with the forces of evil and darkness. The shape of the bulb is a symbol of the candle flame that turns us to the words of Christ: "You are the light of the world." An intricate shape and bright coloring of the domes on the Temple of Vasily Blessed speaks of the beauty of Heavenly Jerusalem.

The color of the dome is also important in the symbolism of the temple. Gold - symbol heavenly Glory. The golden domes were at the main temples and in the temples dedicated to Christ and the two holidays. Dome Blue with stars crowned temples dedicated to the Virgin, because the star reminds of the birth of Christ from the Virgin Mary. Troitsk temples had green domes, because the green was the color of the Holy Spirit. The temples dedicated to the saints are also crowned with green or silver domes.

Above the entrance to the temple, and sometimes next to the temple is built bell tower or bells, that is, the tower on which the bells hang. The bell ringing is used to convene believers on a prayer, to worship, equally, in order to undoubted the most important parts of the service performed in the temple. Ringing into one bell is called "Blagovest" (Blassful, joyful news of worship). Ringing to all bells expressing Christian joy for a solemn holiday, etc., called "Sober". Ringing bells about a sad event called "chime". The bell ringing reminds us of sending, the heavenly world.

The Lord himself gave people still in the Old Testament through the Prophet Moses instructions, what should be a temple for worship; The New Testament Orthodox Church is arranged according to the Old Testament.

As the Old Testament Temple (at the beginning of the skin) was divided into three parts: holy saints, sanctuary and yard; So the Orthodox Christian temple is divided into three parts: altar, middle part of the temple and the focus.

As the holy saints then meant, so and now the altar means - the kingdom of heaven. If several altars are arranged in the temple, each of them is consecrated in memory of a special event or saint. Then all the altars, except the main thing, are called prices or poddatami.

In the Old Testament in the Holy Saints, no one could enter. Only the high priest could enter, once a year, and then only with the blood of a cleansing victim. After all, the kingdom of heaven after the fall, it was closed for a person. The high priest was the prototype of Christ, and this action marked him to people that the time would come when Christ was shedding his blood, suffering on the cross, will open the kingdom of heaven for everyone. That's why, when Christ died on the cross, the curtain in the temple, who closed the holy of saints, ripped out in two: From that moment on, Christ opened the gates of the kingdom of heaven for everyone who comes to him.

Orthodox churches are built by Altar to the East - in the direction of the world, where the sun rises: the Lord Jesus Christ is "East" for us, he excused for us the Eternal Divine Light. In church prayers, we call Jesus Christ: "The Sun of Truth", "from the height of the East", (i.e., "east of over"); "East name to him."

Sanctuary corresponds to in our Orthodox church the middle part of the temple. In the sanctuary of the Old Testament Temple, none of the people had the right to enter into the priests. In our temple there are all the believers of Christians, because now no one is closed by the kingdom of God.

The yard of the Old Testament Temple, where the whole people was located, corresponds to the Orthodox Temple, which is now essential. Previously, there were announced here, who, preparing to become Christians, were not yet encountered by the sacraments of baptism. Now, sometimes heavily sinned and retreated from the church temporarily sending to stand in the focus to correct.

At the entrance to the temple outside it is satisfied porch - Playground, porch.

The main part of the temple is altar, sacred place, so it is not allowed to enter into uninitiated. The altar means the sky where God lives, and the temple - the Earth. The most important place in the altar - throne - A particularly consecrated quadrangular table, decorated with two matters: the bottom - white of the canvas and the top - from the brocade. It is believed that Christ himself is insisted on the throne and therefore only priests can concern him.

The altar is separated from the middle part of the temple a particular partition that is set by icons and is called iconostas.

In iconostasis are available three doors, or three gates. Middle gates, the largest, are placed in the middle of the iconostasis and are called Royal gatesbecause through them the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the king of glory, invisibly passes in the holy gifts. Through the royal gates, no one is allowed to pass, except for the clergy. The royal gates, from the side of the altar, hanging the curtain, which, depending on the development of worship, opens or closes. Tsarist gates are decorated with an image of icons: Annunciation Blessed Virgin Mary and four evangelists, that is, the apostles, writing the Gospel: Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Over royal gates The icon of the secret evening is placed.

Right from the royal gates is always placed icon Saviorand left from royal gates - icon God's Mother .

Right from the icon of the Savior is south door, and left from the icon of the Mother of God north door. On these side doors are depicted archangels Mikhail and Gabriel, or the first deacons Stefan and Philip, or the high priest Aaron and the Prophet Moses. Side doors are called yet diaconian gatesSince they most often pass deacons.

Further, behind the side doors of the iconostasis, the icons of particularly privileged saints are placed. The first icon to the right of the icon of the Savior (not counting the southern door) should always be temple icon, that is, the image of that holiday or the saint, in honor of which the temple is consecrated.

At the very top of the iconostasis placed cross With the image of the crucified Lord of our Jesus Christ on him.

If iconostasis are arranged in several tiers, i.e. rows, then the icons are usually placed in the second tier two-mete holidays, in third - icons of apostles, in the fourth - icons prophets, At the same time, the cross is always placed.

In addition to the iconostasis, icons are placed on the walls of the temple, in large kyotakh, i.e. in special large frames, and also arranged on anals, i.e. at special high narrow tables with an inclined surface.

Some of the altar is in front of the iconostasis. It is called solecy (Greek. "Wings in the middle of the temple"), and its middle of the sickles - amvon (Greek. "Embank"). With Ambon, the priest utters the most significant words when making a service. Ambon is symbolically very important. This is the mountain from which Christ preached; and the Bethlehem Cave, where he was born; And the stone from which Angel has announced wives about the rareness of Christ. At the edges of the saline near the walls of the temple suite closses - Places for singers and readers. The very name of the closets comes from the name of the singers-priests "Clearrian", that is, singing from the clergy, Clear (Greek. "Loss, put on"). The most pollistas are usually put horugwi - icons on matter attached to long trets in the form of banners. They are worn during processions.

The temple and his painting is a book designed to read it. You need to read this book from top to bottom, for the temple comes from above, from the sky. And its upper part is called the "sky", and the lower - "earth". Sky and Earth - Cosmos (this word in Greeting means "decorated"). And indeed, the temple inside painted everywhere where only you can, even in corners that are not visible to the eye. The painting is carefully and beautiful, because the chief viewer is only God, all-seeing and almighty. Its image is located in the dome itself, at the highest point of the temple. God in the Orthodox tradition is depicted in the form of Jesus Christ - Pantokrators (Almighty) 1. In his left hand, he holds a book, right - blesses the universe.

When moving from the dome to the main volume of the temple, hemispherical planes are formed, on which four evangelists are depicted, carrying the heavenly good news to the Earth through the Gospel. Arches and arches join the sky and the ground. In arrangements depicts the main events of gospel history, on the arches - the apostles, the prophets, the saints, those who help people in their adoption on the sky. The walls of the temple are painted by plots from the sacred history: this is the Old Testament, the New Testament, as well as the Universal Cathedrals, the lives of the Saints - up to the history of the state and this area. The circle of the plots at first glance seems limited and repeating, nevertheless, no church inside is similar to another - in every program of the Rospissa original.

The Orthodox Church can be called encyclopedia. In each temple, there is a whole history of mankind, starting with the fall of Adam and Eva, up to modernity, the holy XX century. The culmination of world history and the top of the Universe - Calvary, the place where Jesus Christ was crucified, his godfather and victory over death in the act of resurrection was held. All this is concentrated in the eastern part of the temple, where the altar is located. Prologue and epilogue of the world - in the opposite part of the temple, on the western wall: here you can see the scene of the creation of the world, the image of Lona Abrahamova - Paradise, where the souls of the righteous are in bliss. But most often the western wall occupies an image of a terrible trial, because leaving the temple through the Western doors, a person must remember about the hour when his earthly life end and everyone will appear. However, a terrible court should not so much scare how much to remind a person about the responsibility for the living life.

Priests

According to the example of the Old Testament Church, where he was the high priest, priests and Levites, the Holy Apostles established in the New Testament Christian Church three degrees of priesthood: Bishops, presbyters (i.e. priests) and deaconov.

All are called priestsbecause through the sacrament of the priesthood they receive the grace of the Holy Spirit for the sacred ministry of the Church of Christ; Make worship, teach people of Christian faith and good life (piety) and manage church affairs.

Depending on the relationship to marriage and lifestyle, the clergy is divided into two categories - "White" (married) and "Black" (monastic). Deacon and priests can be both married (but only the first marriage) and monastic, and the bishops are just monastic.

Bishops Make up the highest rank in the church. They get the highest graft. Bishops are called back bishops, i.e. the heads of the Jewels (priests). Bishops can make all the sacraments and all church services. This means that the bishops belongs to the right not only to make ordinary worship, but also to dedicate (hand-up) in clergy, but equally sanctifying the world and antimodes that the priests are not given.

According to the degree of priesthood, all the bishops between them are equal, but the oldest and most deserved from the bishops are called archbishopas, the metropolitan bishops are called metropolitanSince the capital is called Greek Metropolis. The bishops of the ancient capitals, like: Jerusalem, Constantinople (Tsargrad), Rome, Alexandria, Antioch, and from the XVI century and the Russian capital of Moscow, are called patriarchs.

In the period from 1721 to 1917, the Russian Orthodox Church was managed by the Holy Synod. In 1917, the Sacred Cathedral was gathered in Moscow again to manage the Russian Orthodox Church " His Holiness Patriarch Moscow and All Russia. "

In help, the bishop is sometimes given another bishop, which, in this case, is called a vicar, that is, the governor.

Priestsand in Greek jerey or presbytersMake up the second sacred chin after the bishop. The priests can commit, with blessings of the bishop, all the sacraments and church services, except those that have been made to make only a bishop, that is, in addition to the sacrament of the priesthood and the sanctification of peace and antimos.

The Christian community subordinate to the priest is called him arrival.

More worthy and honored priests give rise to archpriest, i.e., the main character, or the primary priest, and the main thing between them - the title protopresviter.

If the priest is at the same time monakhom.then it is called hieromonach, i.e. with a sacred. Hieromonahs, as prescribed by their conventions of monasteries, and sometimes, regardless of this, as an honorary difference, the title is given hegumen or higher title archimandrita. Especially worthy of archimandritis are elected to the bishops.

Deacon Make up the third, lowest, sacred chin. "Deacon" the word Greek and means: minister. Deonacions serve as a bishop or priest in the worship and making sacraments, but they can not do them. The participation of the diacon in worship is not necessarily, and therefore in many churches the service occurs without a deacon.

Some deacons are honored protodiacon, i.e. first name.

Monk, who received San Diacon, is called ierodiakom, and senior Ierodicacon - archicalacon.

The clergy hierarchy can be represented as a table:

Hierarchical degree	"White" (married) clergy	"Black" (monastic) clergy
Diacon	Diacon Prododoacon	Ierodiakone Archdeacon
Priesthood	Ierie (priest) Archpriest Protopressive	Hieromonah Igumen Archimandrite
Bishop		Bishop Archbishop. Metropolitan Patriarch

Monasticism has its own inner hierarchy, consisting of three degrees (belonging to them usually does not depend on the belonging to one or another of a hierarchical degree): monasticism (Ryasofor), monasticism (Small schima, small angelic image) and schima (Great Schima, Great Angelic Image). Most modern monastites belong to the second degree - to the monastery itself, or a small schime. To receive ordination in the bishopan can only those monastories that have exactly this degree. To the name of the Sana for the monotors who took the Great Schima, the particle "Schi" (for example, "Schiigumen" or "Schimtopolitol") is added. Belonging to one degree or another, monasses implies the difference in the level of strictness of monastic life and is expressed through differences in monastic clothes. In the monastic, there are three main vows - celibacy, obedience and nonsense, and the new name is also assigned a new name as a sign of the beginning of a new life.

In addition to the three sacred ranks, there are still lower official positions in the church: ipodiakony, psalmiers (Dyachie) and ponomari. They belong to the number chickens, They are supplied to his position not through the sacrament of the priesthood, but only on the bishop for that blessed.

Psalmiers They have their duty to read and sing, both in the divine service in the Church on the closure and when committing a priest of spiritual demand in the houses of the parishioners.

Ponomari They have their duty to convene believers to the bell-solving bell ringing, to argue the candles in the temple, serve the cenchil, help the psalters in reading and singing and so on.

Ipodiakony Participate only at the bishop ministry. They climb the bishop to the sacred clothing, hold the lamps (trikyrius and die) and serve their bonus for the blessing of them praying.

Priests, for the commission of worship, should be filled into special sacred clothing. Sacred clothes are made of brocade or other than anything suitable for this and decorated with crosses.

Clothes diacon. Make up: surplice, orar. and instructions.

Surplice There are long clothes without cut in front and rear, with a hole for the head and with wide sleeves. The stir is supposed to also for the IPodiakones. The right to carry the scenery can be given and the psalmiers and serving in the temple of the Miryans. The stir marks the purity of the soul, which should have the faces of the sacred san.

Orar. There is a long wide ribbon from the same matter as a stir. It is a deacon on the left shoulder, beyond the scene. Orari marks the grace of God, which Deacon received in the sacrament of the priesthood.

Relatives They are called narrow spouts, tightening with laces. The instructions are reminded by the clergymen that they committing the sacraments or participating in the mysteries of the faith of Christ, do this not own forces, and the power and grace of God. The blasts also resemble the bonds (ropes) on the hands of the Savior during his suffering.

Doing priest Make up: podriznik, stole, belt, instructions and felon (or Riza).

Podriznik There is a stir in a somewhat modified form. It differs from the scene by the fact that it is made of fine white matter, and his sleeves are narrow with laces at the ends that they are tightened on their hands. White color The priest resembles a priest that he should always have a pure soul and carry out a bewritten life. In addition, the heiton resembles the Hiton (lower clothes), in which the Lord of Jesus Christ himself went on earth and in which he made the case of our salvation.

Stole There is the same Orar, but only folded twice as well as, rich neck, he descends down in front of two ends, which are sewn for convenience or connected between themselves. Epitrohil marks a special, double relatively with a deacon, grace submitted by the priest to commit the sacraments. Without Epitrohili, the priest cannot make a single service, like Deacon - without Orari.

Belt It puts on top of the epitrachi and the centers and marks the readiness to serve the Lord. The belt marks the divine power that strengthens the clergy in the passage of their ministry. The belt resembles the towel to whom the Savior was presented with his disciples at the secret evening.

Riza, or felon, puts on a priest over other clothes. This clothing is long, wide, sleeveless, with a hole for the head from above and with a large cut in front for the free action of the hands. With his own type of Riza, she reminds that the bugger, which was covered by the suffering Savior. Ribbons, seduced on the rize, resemble blood flows that flowed on his clothes. At the same time, Riza reminds priests and about the clothes of the truth, in which they should be clothed like the ministers of Christ.

On top of the rhyps, on the chest at the priest is throwing cross.

For a diligent, long service priests are given as a reward wardrifier, that is, quadrangular boards, drawn on the tape over the shoulder of the VA two angle on the right thigh, meaning the sword of spiritual, as well as head decorations - skucian and camilax.

Bishop (bishop)it goes into all the clothes of the priest: the priest, the Epitrohil, the belt, the failure, only the riza is replaced by him sakkosom, and a gayman palice. In addition, the bishop puts on omophore and mitru..

Sakkos - the outer wear of the bishop, similar to the Diakonian stir, shortened and in the sleeves, so from under Sakkos, the bishop can also be seen and epitrochil. Sakkos, like Riza at the priest, marks his bugger of the Savior.

PaliceThis is the quadrangular boards, prepassed in one angle, over the saccos on the right hip. In a reward for the excellent and zealous service, the right to wear a terriety is sometimes getting from the ruling bishop and deserved proto -ere wheels, which also bear it on the right side, and a boiler in this case is placed on the left. The archimandrite has the same as the bishops of the panic serves the necessary affiliation of their velides. The closure, like a booming, means a spiritual sword, that is, the Word of God, who must be armed with the spiritual faces to combat disbelief and dishonor.

On the shoulders, over the saccos bishops are worn omophore. Omophula has a long wide linet-shaped boards, decorated with crosses. It is pinned on the shoulders of the bishop so that covering the neck around the neck, one end descends in front, and by the other rear. Omophore - the word Greek and means a mustache. Omophula exceptionally belongs to bishops. Without mymofor, the bishop, as a priest without Epitrohili, can not make any service. The omophore resembles the bishop that he should take care of salvation staring like a gospel kindup, who, finding the missing shepherd, carries her home on his shoulders.

On the chest, on top of Sakkos, besides the cross, the bishop also has panagiaWhat does "all-free" mean. This is a small round image of the Savior or the Mother of God, decorated with colored stones.

On the head of the bishop assigned miterDecorated with small samples and colored stones. Mithra marks his thorns crown, who was assigned to the head of the suffering Savior. Mitru also have archimandritis. In exceptional cases, the ruling bishop gives the right to put on Mitra instead of Kamilaki the most honored arranging.

During worship, bishops use wand or staffas a sign of the highest pastoral power. Staff is also given to Archimandrite and Igumen, as the heads of monasteries.

During worship for feet, the bishop is led orleans. These are small round rugs with an image of an eagle flying over the city. Orlerges mean that the bishop should, like an eagle, to crawl from the earthly to heavenly.

Home clothing Bishop, priest and deacon make up a contractor (semi-confidence) and row. On the ride, the bishop on the chest wears the cross and Panagia, and the priest - a cross.

Church utensils

The most important part of the temple is altar. In the altar carries by the clergy service and is the most holy place in the whole temple - the Holy thronewhere the sacrament of Holy Communion is committed. The altar is arranged on the elevation. It is above the other parts of the temple, so that everyone can hear worship and can be seen what is being done in the altar.

Throne A particularly consecrated quadrangular table, located in the middle of the altar and decorated with two clothes: the bottom - white, of the canvas, and the top, is from more expensive matter, the biggest part of the brocade. On the throne mysteriously, invisible, the Lord himself is present as the king and the lord of the Church. To touch the throne and only clergymen can kiss it.

On the throne is: Antiminis, Gospel, Cross, Daerachor and Daronian.

Antimism Called by the Silk Plak (handkerchief) consecrated, depicting the positions of Jesus Christ in the coffin on it and, be sure, with the part of the saint to another side of his side, as in the first centuries of Christianity, Liturgy has always been performed on the tombs of martyrs. Without antimony, the Divine Liturgy cannot be made (the word "antimine" Greek, which means "smeluding").

To preserve the antiminis is wrapped in another silk cards called orton. He reminds us to sir (the boards), who was wrapped by the head of the Savior in the coffin.

On antimine itself lies lip (Sponge) for collecting sv. gifts.

GospelThis is the Word of God, accounting for our Lord Jesus Christ.

CrossThis is the sword of God, whom the Lord defeated the devil and death.

Daeochranian The ark (drawer) is called, in which the holy gifts are stored in case of patient communion. Usually, the duedochor is made in the form of a small church.

Damaria It is called a small cozer (drawers), in which the priest carries holy gifts to communion of patients at home.

Behind the throne is worth semidette, that is, a candlestick with seven lamps, and behind him recrocessful cross. The place behind the throne at the very eastern wall of the altar is called hormone (High) most; It is usually made sublime.

To the left of the throne, in the northern part of the altar, there is another small table, decorated from all sides of clothing. This table is called aliacian. Her gifts are prepared for the sacrament of communion.

On the altar are located sacred vessels With all accessories to them, namely:

1. St. Bowl, or potir, In which the wine is poured in front of the liturgy, the later, behind the liturgy, in the blood of Christ.

2. Paten - A small round dish on the stand. It assumes bread for sanctifying on Divine Liturgy, for the delight of him in the body of Christ. Disco marks himself at the same time and the mansel and the coffin of the Savior.

3. Starconsisting of two metal small arcs connected in the middle of the screw so that they can or fold them together or push the cruciate. It puts on the displate so that the cover does not touch the particles taken out of the prosphora. The star marks his star, which was at the birth of the Savior.

4. Copy A knife, similar to a spear, to remove the lamb and particles from prosphorated. It marks the copy to which the warrior pierced the ribs to Christ the Savior on the cross.

5. Lyzica - A spoon used for the communion of believers.

6. Sponge or platter - To wip vessels.

Small covers that are covered separately a cup and discos and are called pokrovtsov. Large cover, covering and bowl and discos together, called air, I mean, the air space in which the star came, leaving the Magicians to the as the Savior. Nevertheless, the covers depict the pellens, which Jesus Christ will have at birth, as well as his funeral pellets (Cryboat).

To all these sacred subjects, no one can be touched, except for the bishops, priests and deacons.

On the altar still ladlein which it is served, at the beginning of anointing, wine with water to infusion into the holy bowl; Then, in front of the communion, it is served in it ( hot water), And in it, filled after communion.

In the altar still is cadyl pin or censer - a vessel fortified on the chain, which spreads frauded smoke - Fimiam (Ladan). Every day is installed in the Old Testament Church by God. Everything before St. The throne and icons expresses our respect and reverence towards them. Every day, addressed to the praying, expresses the wish that their prayer is a diligent and reverent and would be easily ascended to the sky, like the kid's smoke, and that the grace of God so autumn believers, as surrounding their smoke Cadyl. Each believers must respond with a bow.

Altar also stored dietary and trikiriyaused by the blessing of the people and ripidi.

Cyria There is a candlestick with two candles, marking two natural in Jesus Christ - Divorce and Human.

Trikiria The candlestick is called three candles, marking our faith in the Most Holy Trinity.

Ripidami or opakhala Metal circles attached to handles are called, with the image of cherubs. Ripides deacone are felt over the gifts, when consecrated them. Previously, they were made from Pavlinich Feather and were used to housing. Gifts from insects. Now the video ripid has symbolic meaning, it depicts the presence of heavenly forces when making the mysteriousness of communion.

On the right side of the altar is arranged sacristy. This is the name of the room where the rhesis are stored, i.e., sacred clothes used in worship, as well as church vessels and books for which worship is committed.

Candlesticks are standing in front of icons and analogs to which believers put candles. Candles of parishioners take in candle drawer - A special place at the entrance to the temple. The lit candle means our fiery love for God, the Most Holy Theotokos and all the saints, to whom we appeal to prayers.

In a special place of the temple (usually on the left side) is established eve - A small table with the image of the crucifixion and the cells for the candle, which believers put on the rest of the relatives, relatives and acquaintances.

In the middle of the temple, at the top on the ceiling, hanging panadil, i.e. a large candlestick with a lot of candles. Panadelo is lit into the solemn moments of worship.

During the preparation of the material, the following works were used:
"The Law of God", the Archprises of Seraphim Slobodskaya.
"Orthodoxy for Children", O.S. Barilo.
Materials resource Orthodox world. Ru ., Basics of Orthodoxy

The temple as a cult of a cult occupies a special place in any culture. Usually contact him, anyway, all the main events of the life of people are born, funeral, weddings, baptism, etc. For Russian culture, such sign structures are temples, their history, meaning and role for the country, we will analyze in this article.

The history of the temple as facilities

Ancient cultures and antique time determined the temple as a dwelling of their deity. Such structures were erected on the principle of the human house. In it, the main place was occupied by the one or another figure of God, there was a separate place for the gifts brought by this Divine. The entrance to such a temple for a person was banned, it was possible to look at it outside and only occasionally look inside to contemplate His Divine Statue.

On the contrary, in Christianity, the temple was originally positioned as a house of God, but only as a place for the prayer of believers. This idea was still from the Old Testament tradition of the "Mobile" tabernacle, i.e. Portable built in which Jews kept the holy - the ark of the covenant. In addition christian God Moved as a supervised image standing outside of its borders.

- How could you build a house to such God? If the whole world can not accommodate it, then, as a man-made home - can?

For the first Christians, God lived in the heart of man.
However, over time, Christianity acquires both "state" features, becoming. Then the question of determining the place for universal prayers is raised, i.e. The issue of the construction of the temple.
For the first cult facilities, Christians begin to use secular buildings - lateant Basilica. So in 4-5 centuries. AD The first Christian temples arise. It is necessary to remember that the cult facilities have not been built for these purposes, but only adapted.

Description of the first christian temple

Antique basilicas were fairly spacious premises, which, in fact, was required. These structures were rectangular structures that had a high central nal (defined as two lights) and two side - lower. In the Basilica, respectively, placed symbols of the Christian society, consisting of:

Oblined
Loyal
Shepherd

By the same principle unfolding the entire ensemble of the temple:

Yard (atrium)
Room at the entrance (NARTEX)
Basic room (NAO)
Holy place (altar, apse)

This location symbolized the sacred movement of the believer to God, coming from the entrance (West) to the Altar (East). This direction was preserved in other types of temples, especially Orthodox.
Thus, the first Christian temples discovered the believers not "worship statics" of the pagan deity, but the "dynamics" of movement to God, expressed in plastic of spatial forms.

You can summarize:

The temple in religious and directional culture (theocentric) becomes the central structure and the embodiment of its basic ideas of world-uponymia. In other words, the temple reproduces a certain culture.

For example, according to the type of residential structure and its inner entourage, the interior we can imagine the person living in it.

So the temple "personified" peculiar to Christian culture:

• theological (religious doctrines),
• cosmogonic (the origin of the world) of the presentation.

The idea of \u200b\u200bthe Orthodox Church and her story

However, it was the "non-promotion" of such ideas of world-up -ring in Christian culture with the appearance of the first basil, including the further development of the idea of \u200b\u200bthe Orthodox church. (). It must be said that this idea is carefully developed from the 5th century and one of the first in the new church doctrines of Christianity appears.
This "non-promotion" had the following problem. According to the Lord, his throne is the sky, i.e. In an effort to God, believers add up to top. So, the main direction of movement should be not horizontal (as in basilica), and vertical! In the temples of the same pore, the roof was flat and as if blurred from the view of the believer itself.
The question of the dome, who symbolized the idea of \u200b\u200bthe heavenly throne of God. The idea of \u200b\u200bthe dome was not absolutely new then, it was already embodied in the Antique Pantheon of Rome.
In addition, the dualism of Christian world-thundering, which divided the time and space in the consciousness of a person for two main parts of the world could be visually decided.

Dolly (Earth)
Highland (heavenly)

This division was originally hierarchical, i.e. Pronounced precisely by vertical: the main thing is there, and not here - on earth. That time and space exceeds this age of man. This axiom expressed the main chronotope of the entire culture of the Christianity of the Middle Ages.

Church of Sofia Konstantinopolskaya

He found an expression in the first principal cult factor of that period - Constantinople Sophia. It was still basil, but already a dome type. The temple has a dome of 36 - meter diameter located on a 55-meter altitude, which visibly expresses the idea of \u200b\u200bthe sky and the heavenly throne of God.

By the way, this temple remained unique in its typical solution of the dome basilica, such no longer built.

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Orthodox churches. Small and big. From stone and tree. Each - with its architecture and way. And how much temples differ inside? And what unites them? We tell and show the most important thing: how the Orthodox church is arranged!

What should be in the temple

If you say short, then the temple is arranged, there is only one mandatory requirement. Rather, it is not even a requirement, namely, for what the whole temple is erected: the throne in the altar, which takes place by liturgy. If there is no throne, then it means.

All other things that we see and have accustomed to see in the temple - this is either granted things, or things that have developed for centuries and have become a tradition.

For example, icons in the temple is granted. The church will not cease to be a temple if there are no icons in it, but it would be strange to put in the construction of the church and not to place the icons in it. Strangely the Christian in general to avoid icons, so in any Orthodox church the icons will be. And what they are more, the better: it means there will be more prayer memory about the saints before the eyes of people.

The same is a cross on the temple. Liturgy served in destroyed temples, and in caves, and simply under conditions when Christians could not preach (for example, during the Muslim yoke). But when there are no prohibitions, it is strange that it is strange that this is a temple, here is the Holy Spirit, here is liturgy. Therefore, there are crosses over all Orthodox temples.

To the things "traditional" can be attributed to what we are accustomed to specifically - in Russian orthodox church- But in other countries, the same thing can have completely different forms or absent. For example, the architecture of the temple. Or the presence of iconostasis in the form of a "solid wall". Or candlesticks near Icons.

We will definitely tell about the architecture of the temples, and in this text: about how the Orthodox temple is arranged inside.

Altar in the temple and the throne

As we said, the throne is the only one, in fact, a mandatory part for the temple, since the sake of the throne and around it the temple is being erected. Consecrated throne in itself makes the temple room. In the place where the throne, the person himself should be rejected and tremble - in memory of the endless love of God and his earthly path.

In the first centuries of Christianity, the soblites with the relics and the remains of saints or martyrs served. Now this tradition has been preserved, but I have changed: there are no coffins in the churches altars, but still the throne should be consecrated by the ruling bike and have a cozer with a particle of the relics of any saint. Only in this case, liturgy may be performed on the throne!

The presence of the throne implies that there is an altar - the holy of holy of any temple. Altar on tradition can only be the servants of the temple, or - on the blessing of the abbot.

Patriarchy worship. Photo: Patriarchia.ru.

Iconostasis in the temple

Iconostasis separates the altar from the rest of the temple. This is not a "rule" and not canon - the temple will not cease to be a temple without an iconostasis, but it is natural and probably the only opportunity to protect the holy of saints from the worldly household fuss and the behavior of the unworthy shrine - for example, a tourist in shorts and a camera leading itself -Svascu.

In fact, this is a reasonable tradition that has become "mandatory".

In fact, the task of the iconostasis is not so much to separate the altar, how much to serve people "window into the sky" and prayerful help. In order for parishioners in the end, not distracted and did not give excessive attention to the actions in the altar, which, in contrast to the sacraments, is not necessary to emphasize. For example, the priest explains to the young altar, at what point you need to get out of the altar with the candles: this is an absolutely "working" moment, which will pass the parishioners in a completely unnecessary way.

Temples without iconostasis are found only in exceptional cases - if the temple is only built or arranged in "hiking" (temporary) conditions.

Most often in our Orthodox churches, it represents a "solid wall" with icons - that is, he hides the altar completely, and see "what's there" can only be in those moments of service when the gates are open. Therefore, in large temples or cathedrals, the iconostasis can be height with a multi-storey house: it is majestic and beautiful. Such iconostasis are decorated with several rows of icons in which the apostles, the Savior, the Mother of God are depicted ...

Iconostasis of the Trinity Temple of the Moscow Foreign Savior Saint-Trinity Sergius Lavra. Photo: blagoslovenie.su.

But in some temples, the design is easier: the iconostasis hides the altar not completely and you can see the clergy for him, and the throne itself. The idea of \u200b\u200bsuch iconostasks is to protect the holy of saints on one side, but on the other - it is not to separate the parishioners, he is a great sacrament: so that the liturgy is not only a secret and majestic, but also - the common action for the entire community.

In the temple there may be several altars

If the dimensions of the temple allow, then two or three altars are trying to do in it, but in principle there can be any way (for example, in the Cathedral of Vasily blissful on Red Square - 11 altars and thrones).

Why do you need a few altars?

There are two reasons. One is purely canonical. On the establishment of the Church, during the day on one throne (and therefore in one altar) can serve only one liturgy. On large holidays, liturgy in one temple can serve and twice and even three times (for example, for Easter). For such cases, several altars are designed.

Baptist, Baptistery

Somewhere the baptism is placed separately from the temple, but somewhere is part of it - for example, a small room at the back wall. In the baptized, how can I understand, the sacrament of baptism is performed and a large font is located.

In some temples in Baptistery during worship services, moms with children are sitting - so that they do not interfere with their crying. This is a normal practice.

COLLOS, what is it?

The pollos in the temple is a place for choir. Most often, it is located on the side of the front - near the iconostasis side. In some temples - has the rear wall opposite the iconostasis (for example, on the balcony from above).

All pollosy unites, perhaps, one thing: singing trying to make invisible for parishioners - so that neither the others are distracted. For example, if the choir in the temple is located in front of the iconostasis, it is separated by the partition. And if the choir sings on the balcony from the "rear wall", then it is not visible.

Choir during the patriarchy worship. Photo: Patriarchia.ru.

Candle box in the temple, and what is it?

Located or at the entrance, or in the back corner. There not only you can take candles or submit a note, but also to get the Council about the work of the temple, the time of worship, etc.

In some temples, candlestones cease to work in the most intimate moments of services: for example, during a six-pin in the evening worship, or on liturgy during the Eucharistic Canon.

But what else can be seen in the temple, or what features are those or other churches:

• In any temple there is a worship cross - Large image of crucifixion.
• The altar most often Located on a small elevation in relation to the rest of the temple.
• Before most icons are candlesticks. You can put a candle and pray for one or another holy. This is a feature of the Russian Orthodox tradition. For example, in the temples of Bulgaria, the candlesticks are not "attached" to a particular icon, but simply stand at the wall.
• Lectern. High table for IOn - for example, for those that are taken to the center of the temple on the occasion of this or another holiday and memory of a saint.
• Confession also occurs behind the analog, but for folding.
• Large chandelier in the temple called panicadilo.
• Benches. The Russian Orthodox tradition refers to worships with all ascetic severity, so it is assumed that the benches in the church should be little - and only for the most weak. In some temples, there are practically no places for seats.

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The temple of God in its appearance differs from other buildings. Very often, the temple of God has the shape of the cross, because the Savior saved us from the power of the devil. Often, he is arranged in the form of a ship, symbolizing that the church, like a ship, like Naev Ark, leads us around the sea of \u200b\u200blife to a quiet pier in the kingdom of heaven. Sometimes there is a circle - a sign of eternity or an octagonal star, symbolizing that the church, like a guide star, shines in this world.

The temple building is usually completed from above the dome depicting the sky. The dome is crowned by the chapter on which the cross is put - the glory of the head of the Church of Jesus Christ. Often, there are not alone on the temple, and several chapters: two chapters mean two natural (divine and human) in Jesus Christ, three chapters - three people of Holy Trinity, five chapters - Jesus Christ and four evangelists, seven chapters - seven sacraments and seven Ecumenical Councils, Nine chapters - nine Angelic Chins, thirteen chapters - Jesus Christ and twelve apostles, sometimes build more chapters.

Over the entrances to the temple, and sometimes next to the temple, a bell tower or bell is built, that is, the tower on which the bells are hanging, used to convene believers on prayer and for the presentation of the most important parts of the service performed in the temple.

The Orthodox Temple on the internal device is divided into three parts: the altar, the middle temple and the imposition. Altar symbolizes the kingdom of heaven. In the middle part there are all believers. In the focus in the first centuries of Christianity stood accepted, which only prepared for the sacrament of baptism. Nowadays, they sometimes be sent to stand heavy sinned for correction. Also in the focus you can buy candles, apply notes for commemoration, order a prayer service and a memorial and so on. Before entering the entrance, a sublime area is set, called Popper.

Christian temples are built by Altar to the East - to the side where the sun rises: Lord Jesus Christ, from whom the invisible divine light has excited us, we call the "Sun of Truth", which came "from the height of the East."

Each temple is dedicated to God, wearing a name in memory of a sacred event or the pleases of God. If there are several altars in it, then each of them is consecrated in memory of a special holiday or saint. Then all the altars, besides the main thing, are called the adhesives.

The most important part of the temple is the altar. The word "altar" itself means the "sublime altitude". It is usually arranged on the elevation. Here are made by the clergy services of worship and is the main shrine - the throne, on which the Lord himself is mysteriously present and the mysteriousness of the body communion and the blood of the Lord is committed. The throne is a particularly sanctified table, dressed in two clothes: the bottom - from the white canvas and the upper - from the road colored fabric. On the throne there are sacred subjects, only clergymen can touch him.

The place behind the throne at the easternmost wall of the altar is called the mountain (elevated) place, it is usually made sublime.

Left from the throne, in the northern part of the altar, there is another small table, also decorated with clothing from all sides. This is an altar, which prepares gifts for the sacrament of communion.

The altar is separated from the middle church by a special partition, which is set by icons and is called iconostasis. It has three gates. The average, the largest, called the royal gates, because through them the Lord Jesus Christ himself, the king of glory, is invisible in the bowl with the Holy Gifts. To these doors, no one is allowed to pass, except the clergy. Side doors - North and South - are called Diakacons: most often through them deacon.

The Savior's Icon of the Cardic Gate is placed right from the royal gates, the left of the Mother of God, hereinafter - the image of the particularly distortions of the saints, and the edge of the Savior is usually located temple icon: it depicts a holiday or holy, in honor of which the temple is consecrated.

The icons are also placed on the walls of the temple in the frames - kyota, lie on the anals - singular tables with an inclined lid.

The elevation in front of the iconostasis is the name of the saline, the middle of which is a semicircular protrusion in front of the royal gates - is called an ammon. Here, deacon pronounces objects and reads the Gospel, hence the priest preaches. At the Ambon, the believers and holy communion are taught.

Along the edges of the saline, the traits and choirs are arranged near the walls. Chorugvi, or icons on silk matters hung on gold-plated trees and having a kind of banners. As church banners they are taken out believers when cross Stroke. IN cathedrals, as well as the bishop ministry in the middle of the church, there is still an amvon bishop, on which the bishops are applied and stand at the beginning of the liturgy, during the prayers and in some other church services.