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The Sanctuary

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The central section of the Temple is called the Sanctuary. (It is the equivalent of the "nave" in Latin Churches.)

It is called the Sanctuary because it corresponds to the "Hekhal" of the Old Testament Temple, the "Holy Place".

It represents the world redeemed by Christ Jesus.

It is here that the Faithful gather to pray.

It is here that the Bishop is vested in the midst of the Faithful.

It is from the Bema that the Gospel is proclaimed.

Historically the Ambo was a kind of stage that arose in the midst of the Sanctuary. And deacons ascended it to proclaim the Gospel and intone the litanies. Historically the Solea was a walkway that lead from the Altar to the Ambo.

In the north transept there is the place for the Mystery of Forgiveness (Confession).

For the Holy Mystery of Forgiveness a Gospel book and a Cross is placed on a stand.

An icon lit with a lamp hangs on the wall in front.

Before these symbols, the penitent makes his confession to God - accompanied by the Priest as the representative of the Church, the Body of Christ.

In the south transept of St. Elias Temple, we place the Plaschenytsia, the Icon of the Burial of the Jesus.

The Plaschenytsia is often placed on a stand which resembles a bier.

In our parish, above the Plaschenytsia hangs an icon of the Crucifixion.

If needed, the south chancel can also be set up as a place for the Mystery of Forgiveness.

In the centre of the Sanctuary is an area called the "Kathedra". On Feasts, icons are set out in the Kathedra for veneration.

Likewise here, the Gospel is brought out to the Kathedra for veneration during Matins.

At Hierarchical Divine Services, it is at the Kathedra where the Bishop will preside and be vested - hence the name.

By this point, you have probably wondered, "Where are the pews?" "Are these photos of the Church still under construction, before they put in the seats?"

In the Byzantine tradition, our Churches do not have pews. Pews are a Protestant worship style - deriving from a form of liturgy where sitting and listening to a lengthy Sermon is the central component of the Service.

Orthodox worship, in contrast, requires much more freedom for the human body. Freedom to pray. Prayer in the Byzantine tradition is not done sitting.

We pray standing.

We often make "Reverences" - the Sign of the Cross accompanied by a profound bow. (At specific points during the Divine Services {e.g. when the holy Trinity is named} and when we feel so moved {and we feel so moved a fair bit, from my observation [so altogether that is a lot!]}.)

During the various Fast Seasons, we make many Prostrations (i.e. "Full Reverences).

In addition there are various Services and rituals which require that people move about, e.g.: veneration of the Gospel book at Liturgy and Matins, Veneration of Icons, Myrovannya at Vigil, etc., etc.

Even the simplest of these ways to pray and worship would be seriously hampered if not altogether impeded altogether by making people sit in pews.

As Fr. Andriy Chirovsky, Ph.D. (Director of the Sheptytsky Institute of Eastern Christian Studies) says in his article:

"Anathema 'Sit':

Some Reflections on Pews in Eastern Christian Churches and their Effects on Worshippers"

(Diakonia, Vol.XV, No.2, 1980 at 173):

"Pews are basically unsuited to the fundamental liturgical postures.

"I defy anyone but a contortionist to make a prostration in the middle of a pew.

"We make frequent prostrations in the Eastern Churches, not because it is required, but because our bodies have something to say to God, to neighbour, and to our very selves, just as our minds and our speech do.

"And yet our bodies - half our earthly selves - are sentenced to silence in a church with pews."

In other words, our prayer and worship requires a freedom and space that pews do not allow.

Perhaps one of the biggest reasons our parishioners prefer no-pews is EASE OF CHILDCARE!!!

We have a great many young families with little "ankle biters". Pews force little children to sit quietly and immobilized during Church Services - which inevitably never works. Moreover kids use the pews to do their little "disappearing act", playing under them, and then wandering off to places where their parents can't follow them or get at them aghghgh!

Whereas in our Temple, children are free to play quietly (with toys, colouring books, each other). They can roam about a little if they get restless - and some helpful adult will watch out for them.

They can kiss icons (a big favourite!).

They can help light and blow out candles, wander up and get close to "the action" of any ceremony.

Besides: Pews + kids also make for a LOT of noise. You KNOW what I'm taking about...

Without pews, parents find it easier to pray, without either terrorizing or neglecting their child.

And Everybody's happy!

Church need not be a bad experience for anyone, esp. kids.

Of course for the elderly and infirm (or the just plain tired), there are benches along the wall, and people are quite welcome to sit if they need.

(Although if truth be told, our Seniors rarely if ever feel the need to sit during Church!)

At the front (east) of the Sanctuary, you will find the "Iconostas".

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