The device of an Orthodox church

An Orthodox church can be one-domed, two, three, five, seven, nine and thirteen-domed.  There are churches with a large number of domes, which, according to Orthodox custom, are called heads.

The building itself is divided into three parts:

          porch or refectory;

          middle part or ship;

         an altar or sublime altar.

The whole structure is strictly oriented to the parts of the world.  The narthex is the westernmost part of the temple, respectively, the altar is the easternmost.

Porch

The porch is a part of the temple through which the parishioners get inside.  A series of steps leads to it, ending with a platform - a porch.  The narthex is often called a meal, since in the past meals were held here after the liturgy.  At present, in this part of the church, betrothal is performed, prayers of the fortieth day are read (prayers to the woman in childbirth), lithium takes place during the all-night vigil.

The narthex depicts the prophets who foreshadowed the appearance of Christ, as well as the events that are associated with His coming.  On the western wall (which the parishioners see when leaving the temple), the Last Judgment is painted.

Middle part

The middle part (it is sometimes called the beautiful word “ship” - a direct analogy with Noah's Ark, on which only those who believed in God were saved) is the largest part of the temple in terms of area, in which parishioners stand during services.  Icons with Christ, the Mother of God and the Saints are hung on its walls.  Also, the icons are located on lecterns - special stands, ending with an inclined surface for the convenience of contemplation.  In the middle of the ceiling hangs a chandelier - a round candlestick with many candles.  They are lit on special occasions.

The middle part is separated from the altar by the iconostasis - a wall with icons arranged in a certain order in several tiers (rows) - from 3 to 5. In the center of the iconostasis there are two-winged Royal Doors.  Only priests can pass through them and only during the service.  Otherwise, they are closed.  On the sides of the iconostasis there are deacons' doors.  Deacons pass through them during the service.

Icons on the iconostasis

 As mentioned above, the icons are arranged in five rows (tiers):

 First tier (first from the bottom)

• the icon of Christ and the saint or the event in whose honor the temple is named, are located to the right of the Royal Doors;
• the icon of the Virgin and any other icon - are located to the left of the Royal Doors.
• icons of saints - located in the corners of the iconostasis, behind the deacon's gate.

Second tier

          icon of the Last Supper - in the center;

          icons of the Twelve Great Feasts - six to the left and six to the right of the Last Supper icon.

Third tier

 The icons of the Deesis order are located.

Fourth tier

The icons of the Mother of God with the infant Christ and the saints who foreshadowed His coming are located.

Fifth tier

The icons of the Holy Trinity, as well as of the forefathers and the Old Testament righteous are located.

Altar

The altar is the most sacred place, the image of the Heavenly Kingdom.  It contains a throne - a quadrangular table.  It is on it that the Sacrament of Holy Communion takes place.  The throne is covered with two garments - a white bottom and a festive top, made of brocade.  Only clergymen can touch and kiss him.  On the throne there is a tabernacle - a vessel usually in the form of a temple for the Holy Gifts, a monstrance - an ark for transferring the Holy Gifts, the Gospel, an antimension - plates with particles of relics sewn into it, and the Holy Cross.

There is a seven-branched candlestick behind the throne.  On the east side there is a high place, symbolizing the heavenly throne.  There is a large cross and the image of the Virgin on it.  On the northern part of the altar there is an altar - a quadrangular table, but smaller than the Altar.  The Holy Gifts are prepared on it.  Also in the altar there are a censer, a dikiry and a trikiry - candlesticks, respectively, for two and three candles.  The bishop blesses the people with them.  The altar and iconostasis in relation to other parts of the temple is located on a dais.  A sacristy is attached to the altar on the east side, in which the clergy keep vestments (festive clothes for worship), church books and sacred vessels.

The temple is the house of God, in which He is invisibly present and blesses people through the clergy.  To come to the Temple is to touch the Savior, to receive from him His life-giving energy, which gives strength to both the body and the soul, clears the mind of all dark.  Be healthy, and God bless you.