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ORTHODOXY
SYMBOLOGY FOUND IN THE
CHURCH BUILDING AND LITURGY
<Click here to download this document as a pdf> GOAL OF LITURGY Union with God Contemplation Mystical ascent of our Soul to God Union with Church (visible & invisible) Full understanding requires purification LITURGICAL SYMBOLS Small Entrance 1st coming of Christ in the flesh, passion & resurrection Coming of the Son of God into the world Manifestation of Christ at His Baptism in the Lord The Resurrection and Ascension of Christ—the coming of the Spirit Great Entrance Christ led away to his Passion Revelation of the mystery of salvation hidden in God Christ proceeding to his mystical sacrifice The Lord’s journey to Jerusalem on Palm Sunday Christ’s journey to Jerusalem and his entry on Palm Sunday The final coming of Christ Ascent to the Altar (Up the Steps) The Ascension of Christ Completion of salvation and Ascension Passage from the Law and the Old Covenant to the beginning of divine grace Christ’s sitting at the right hand of the throne Epistle Reading Instruction in the Christian life Prokeimenon (verse chanted just before reading) and Alleluia = Prophecies of the coming of Christ The Calling of the Apostles Manifestation of Christ in his teaching to the Apostles Mission of the Apostles to the Gentiles Gospel Reading The end of the world and the Second Coming of Christ to judge the world. Revelation of God brought by Christ. Bishop’s blessing after Gospel = Second Coming of Christ The teaching of Christ Placing of gifts on the holy table Christ laid in the tomb The burial of Christ in the tomb The upper room made ready Anaphora (Lift Up Your Hearts) (Central Prayer of Divine Liturgy) The Resurrection of Christ from the dead Our future union with the spiritual powers of heaven The Resurrection of Christ The Last Supper Christ’s Death Resurrection and Ascension Elevation of the Gifts The union of all the faithful with God in the age to come Christ’s Crucifixion, Death and Resurrection The Zeon (hot water in Chalice) – The Coming of the Holy Spirit The elevation of Christ on the Cross After Communion The Ascension of the Christ and the coming of the Spirit The Ascension of the Lord and the proclamation of the Gospel in all the world OTHER IMPORTANT SYMBOLS Smoke = Prayers Bishop = Jesus Priests = Apostles & Abraham, Isaac & Jacob Deacons = Archangels Bowing = Humility Church Architecture is Cross within a Square, surmounted by Cupola Apse (vaulted projection in Church Building) = Cave of nativity & sepulcher Eucharist is Heavenly Affair Altar = Manger in Bethlehem Altar = Throne of God, Table of Last Supper Stone Altar = Christ is the Rock Incense = Grace Candles = Illumination of the Spirit Vestments of Bishop (7 total) = 7 Gifts & Spirit (Bishop) Vestments of Priest (5 total) = 5 senses = 5 powers of the Soul (Priest) Vestments = Incarnation Leavened Bread = Perfect humanity of Christ Leaven = Human Soul and Salt, His Spirit Ambo (Raised platform from which Gospels are read) = Stone rolled away Prayer is always toward the East Stole = Flesh of Christ Censer = Humanity of Christ Censer Fire = His Divinity Censer Smoke = Holy Spirit Linen Cloth (eileton) = John of Arimathea’s wrapping of Jesus for the tomb Omophorion (wool, not linen) = fleece of lost sheep which is placed on his shoulders Epiclesis = return of Christ’s Spirit to his body Breaking of Bread = Jesus’ multiple appearances after Resurrection Censing = God coming forth to communicate to People Church Sanctuary = Image of World Dome = Heaven Nave (Central part of Church Building where People Gather) = Earth Church Building = Soul Sanctuary = Spirit Nave = Reason Image of Man Nave = Man’s Body Sanctuary = Man’s Soul Altar = Man’s Spirit Entry of Bishop = 1st Coming of Christ Entry of People = passage from evil & ignorance to virtue and knowledge Psalms = Joy in the good things of God “Peace Be With You”—favors dispensed by angels to help us fight evil Descent of Bishop from Throne – 2nd Coming of Christ to judge the world Creed = Eternal Thanksgiving to God Lord’s Prayer = Our adoption by God Distribution of Gifts = Filling of mankind by God Priest’s preparation = John the Baptist Prothesis (Preparation of Gifts) = Bethlehem, Nazareth and Capernaum = 30 years of Christ’s Humanity Trisagion = Trinity Entry of Bishop after 3rd Antiphon = Christ’s Appearance at the Jordan Proskomidia = God offering Jesus from very beginning of life Removal of Portion = Christ was separated from masses of humankind to be a sacrifice During Small Entrance, Raising of Gospels = Manifestation of Christ to multitudes “The Doors, The Doors” = Open our mouths and ears to wisdom |