St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Church

 

  
 

OUR FAITH

  
 

 

THE INTERIOR OF THE CHURCH

The interior of an Eastern Orthodox Church is composed of three separate parts-the entrance or narthex (vestibule), the central nave and the altar or sanctuary.

The entrance area, known as the narthex or vestibule, was used by the catechumens in former times. These included those who were receiving instruction in the Orthodox faith and were preparing for baptism.

The nave area, the middle section of the church, is the church proper where the worshipers gather. In this part of the edifice the pulpit and the choirs are located.

The most important area of an Eastern Orthodox Church is the altar or sanctuary. It is here, strictly speaking, that Divine Services are conducted and the bloodless sacrifice of the Lord’s Body and Blood are offered. Only those who have been consecrated by ordination are admitted into the altar.

The central part of the altar contains the Holy Table, also called the Prestol, which represents the Throne of God in Heaven. Only those who are ordained are permitted to touch the altar table which is make sacred by the presence of Almighty God. This Holy Table also represents Golgotha and the tomb of Christ, since His body is placed upon it. The Holy Table is covered by two vestments. The antimins, the cross, the book of the Gospel and the Tabernacle are all kept on this Altar Table.

 

Excerpta taken from: “Faith of our Fathers”

by Stan Carlson and The Very Rev. Leond Soroka

         THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD

 

          The Orthodox revere the Mother of God (Theotokos) above any other saint in the Church. She always stands on Christ’s right hand side in each church Iconostasion, and an enormous icon of her with the Christ child dominates the space above the altar. Through her, the Virgin Mary, Christ proves His humanity. Four of the church’s twelve great feast days are devoted to her, of which The Dormition is the most significant. Two weeks of fasting and special prayer services precede August 15 when the faithful crowd the church to honor her and remember her feast day. People commonly refer to the day as “Tis Panayias (“Panayia’s feast day).           During this time, August 1-15, Parasklisis are held. A paraklists is a service of supplication and prayer. The Orthodox church traditionally holds one every evening during the first two weeks of August, except Saturdays, the feast day of he Transfiguration (August 6) and on the eve of the Dormition when a vesper service is held instead. The Small Paradlisis, shorter than the Great Paraklisis exprsses the troubles of the soul surrounded by sin and asks for help in being restored both physically and spiritually to original health and beauty. The Great Paraklisis prays for society in general, including the captured city of Constantinople, calling on the Mother of God, the protector of the city, to free her from the enemy. The Small and Great Paraklisis alternate evenings. Our Church, St. Nicholas, will hold services on August 2nd , 4th, 9th, and 11th , and August 14th at 7:00 p.m.            List the names of the living who you will like Father Stelios to commemorate at the evening paraklists services. A form is on the next page, or you can pick up a form at Church in the Narthex. 

Excerpts taken from “A Guide To Greek Traditions And Customs In America”