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The Vestibule & the Narthex

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The Vestibule

The first Room in the Temple is the Vestibule. It is actually not part of the Church proper. It corresponds to the Outer Court or Court of the Gentiles in the Old Testament Temple.

Here you will find such as: Books for the Divine Services, other Church literature, the Candles, and the Prosphora.

Candles

It is beautiful devotion of Orthodox worship to light candles in Church.

They represent our prayers and are a wonderful way to express our prayers to God.

They also represent us, given that Jesus said, "You are the light of the world" (Matt 5:14).

And of course they recall us to the Christ who is the True and everlasting Light (John 1:9).

Plus before they had electricity they kind of let you see what was going on!

In our parish, we don't use the electric lights, but only candle light. It allows the icons to shine and glow in the way they were meant to - allowing us to glimpse the glory of God and and the beauty of the Gospel of Truth.

Prosphora

At Divine Liturgy, it is the tradition of Byzantine Churches to make prayer requests by means of a Prosphoron (a small loaf of Bread).

A Chit is provided for you to write the intention (either for living or reposed). And one offers a Prophoron.

The Clergy will pray for the person(s) indicated and take a particle from the Prosphora and offer it during the Divine Liturgy.

The Particle will be mixed into the Holy Mysteries (Holy Communion).

The rest of the loaf will be blessed and returned to the parishioner, who can share it with family and friends, who will reverently consume the bread and pray for the person intended.

For more information click: "Particles".

The Narthex

Entering the Doors into the Church proper, we come to the Narthex. The Narthex parallels the Inner Courtyard in the Temple, otherwise known as "The Court of Israel".

Byzantine Church architecture is a Microcosm. Thus the Church building itself because a symbol of our world and teaches us salvation history.

The Narthex represents the Fallen World.

Thus e.g. the Litiya is served here - the Narthex becoming symbolic of Golgotha where the Christ was crucified.

Also the pre-Baptismal Exorcisms and Baptism takes place in the Narthex.

After the person is Baptized and Chrismated, they enter into the Sanctuary.

Historically, it was in the Narthex that those who were Penitents had their place.

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