Shapes of the Church
What are the 3 shapes of the church structure
Ship, Cross and Circle
What part of the church is behind the iconostasis?
The Sanctuary
What materials can the Altar be made from?
Wood, stone, or metal.
How many steps separate the deacons from the congregation
1
What does wood symbolise?
The Cross, Noah’s Ark, Tree of Life.
Which church shape is the Arabic Church at St Marks?
Ship/Ark
Who is allowed to enter the Sanctuary?
Priests and deacons only.
What shape is the Altar and what does it represent?
Cube — the Tomb of Christ.
What do domes symbolise?
Heaven. The icons painted on the inside resemble Christ as the head of the church seated in heaven
What does the ostrich egg represent?
Resurrection and watchful care.
Why does the church face East?
We await Christ’s Second Coming.
Why must we remove our shoes before entering the Sanctuary?
As a sign of respect, because it is holy ground (Exodus 3:5)
5 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”
What does Abouna do when he blows out the candles at the end of the mass? And why?
He walks around the Altar and blows out the candle. He also claps at each corner of the altar. Why? To dismiss the angles standing at each corner that attend the mass
What do pillars represent?
The disciples or apostles (the pillars of the church). These are found in between the aisles
What does the fish symbolise?
Feeding of the 5000 and “fishers of men.”
What does the church shaped like a ship represent?
Noah’s Ark — salvation through the Church.
What does the Sanctuary represent?
Heaven itself (on earth) — God’s dwelling among His saints. It is where the body of Christ dwells during the mass
Why is the Altar not raised above the Sanctuary?
It is a commandment by God from the OT
“Nor shall you go up by steps to My altar”
(Exodus 20:26)
What does the iconostasis separate and contain?
Separates Sanctuary & Nave (the congregation); it has three doors with icons.
Grapevine decorations remind us of what verse?
“I am the true vine.” (John 15:1-5)
Which early Church Fathers wrote about facing the East?
St Clement of Alexandria, Origen, and Tertullian.
“The church must be oblong (rectangular) in form and pointing to the East.
In the icon of the Bosom of the Father, what does Jesus hold?
The Earth (His power) and the pastoral rod (His care).
Name the 6 items placed on the altar.
Chalice (holds the blood)
Paten (plate)
Dome (Star placed over the bread)
The ark/seat/throne - wooden altar board
Candles
Gospel Book.
What is the Ciborium?
The dome structure that covers the altar
Wheat spikes symbolise which saying of Jesus? (Hint John 6:35)
“I am the Bread of Life.” (John 6:35)