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ORTHODOX SANCTUARY    ARRANGEMENT
The Table of Oblation (Prothesis)

Religious Program Specialist 3 & 2, Module 01-Personnel Support
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Icons Icons  (figure  3-28)  are  a  distinguishing  feature  of  the  Orthodox  church. Icons  are  religious  paintings  of  Jesus  Christ,  the  Virgin  Mary,  and  various saints of the Orthodox church. Icons are painted in a definite style and used in  Orthodox  worship—not  as  decorations  but  as  venerated  objects  by  the Orthodox  faithful.  When  the  Orthodox  faithful  kiss  an  icon,  they  consider themselves to be kissing the person or persons depicted by the icon. Icons are hung on the wall throughout an Orthodox church as well as placed upon icon stands. Vigil lights (votive type) are often hung in front of the icons. A two- dimensional  icon  of  the  Crucifixion  of  Christ,  similar  to  a  crucifix,  is sometimes  placed  behind  the  Orthodox  altar  in  what  is  known  as  the  high place. The high place is in the center of the chancel area directly behind the altar  where  an  Orthodox  bishop  stands  to  bless  the  people.  An  icon  of  the patron  saint  of  the  Orthodox  church  is  often  placed  in  the  center  or sometimes to the rear of the chapel and is venerated (kissed) by the people as they enter. The  Altar  Table The main altar table is a freestanding altar (figure 3-29). It stands in the center  of  the  sanctuary/chancel  just  behind  the  royal  doors  of  the iconostasis. Eucharistic gifts which are offered during the Divine Liturgy are placed  on  the  main  altar  table.  The  Orthodox  priest  should  have  sufficient room  to  pass  completely  around  the  altar  table.  The  main  Orthodox  altar table will usually have the following items resting upon it. ANTIMENSION.—The  antimension  (figure  3-29)  is  a  piece  of  material, approximately 24 inches x 18 inches, bearing a representation of the figure of Christ laid out for burial. It is placed unfolded in the middle of the altar table for use during the Divine Liturgy. The antimension is normally opened only  during  the  Divine  Liturgy  and,  when  not  in  use,  it  may  be  folded  and placed  beneath  the  Book  of  the  Gospels  on  the  altar  table. THE   ARTOPHORION   (TABERNACLE).—The   Orthodox   tabernacle (figure 3-29) stands at the back of the altar table, and often takes the form of a  miniature  church  or  cathedral.  It  is  used  for  the  reserved  sacrament (Orthodox   communion   elements). THE  BOOK  OF  GOSPELS.—This  book  (figure  3-29)  contains  the  four Gospels and is used for Gospel lessons chanted by the Orthodox priest. The Book  of  Gospels  is  shown  placed  to  the  right  of  the  open  antimension  in figure   3-29.   The   Book   of   Gospels   may   be   placed   on   top   of   the   folded antimension whenever the Divine Liturgy is not being celebrated, THE  BLESSING  CROSS.—The  blessing  cross  is  used  by  the  Orthodox priest  to  bless  the  congregation  and  is  shown  in  figure  3-29  just  above  the Book  of  Gospels. CANDLESTICKS.—Two  or  more  candlesticks  are  normally  placed  on the altar (figure 3-29). In addition to these candlesticks or in place of them, a 3-42







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