Transcript The Structure of the Church - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of

The Structure of the
Church
Structure of the Church

The Church is
shaped like the
tabernacle, Noah’s
ark. It has 3
sections:
1. Sanctuary (holy of
Holies): It
represents the
Heaven and contains
the altar, the dome,
the steps, and the
Eastern Wall
Cont’d…

The Dome: above the altar is based on four columns, painted
in blue to represent Heaven, with angels drawn on it and has
curtains suspended from between the columns
The Alter

The Altar: where the
sacrifice is offered. It
is square in shape,
made out of either
wood or marble, has 3
coverings on top and
must have “holy board”
on it or anointed with
Chrism (mayroon).
The Bishop’s Throne

The Steps: Seven semicircular steps that lead
up to the Bishop’s throne,
underneath the Eastern
wall. The Bishop would be
sitting under the feet of
Christ (after having
climbed 7* steps) and
speaks to the people from
behind the Altar, because
his words and service is
not due to his own
righteousness, but to the
righteousness of Christ
Cont’d…

The Eastern Wall: Is a semi-circular
wall called the “Father’s Bosom.” It
has an Icon of Christ sitting,
surrounded by Cherubim and
Seraphim. He carries in one hand
the earth (He is the controller of
everything-the Pantocrator) and
carries a staff in the other hand to
shepherd His people. (John 10:11)
He is looking directly at the people
and opening His chest to them to
accept them all to Him. Only the
Icon of Christ should be in the
Sanctuary, for HE is the only one
who is in Heaven (along with the
angels) right now.
Cont’d…


The gateway to the sanctuary is
called the “Royal Gate” from which
only the priests should enter.
The Sanctuary is separated from
the church by an inconostasis
(carrier of the icons). It is not a
divider (like in the tabernacle),
but a means to get into the Holy
of Holies (by the prayer of the
saints). The icons have a specific
order as they are placed on the
iconostasis
Iconostasis:
 On
the Right Side:
 Lord
Jesus Christ
 St. John the Baptist
 The Saint of the church
 Any Saint or martyr, or biblical event
Iconostasis cont’d…
 On
the Left side:
 The
Theotokos St. Mary
 The Annunciation of Christ’s birth
 Archangel Michael
 St. Mark
Iconostasis cont’d…

Above:
The Last Supper, surrounded by the 12
disciples
 Above them is Christ crucified, with St. Mary
at His right and St. John at His left



Ostrich eggs are
suspended between them
(eggs in general represent
Resurrection; life inside a
tomb)
Lighted oil lamps are hung
in front of all the icons,
except Christ, because He
is the light of the world
Iconostasis cont’d…

Around the nave of the church, the rest of the icons
are placed in a specific order:
 From left to right: Angels, St. Mary, St. John the
Baptist, Disciples and the Old Testament Saints,
Apostles, martyrs, Confessors, and New Testament
Saints
 At the West side of the church is the Baptismal
font (because through Baptism, we are taken from
darkness to the light, and from being far away from
God to His bosom, so we move from West to East
Conclusion….
 The
church has a specific order and
structure to it. Everything has been
placed for a reason.
 When we understand the purpose
behind these orderings we can
appreciate them more, and they will
help us to honor God with them.
Memory Verse

“O Lord our God, all
this abundance that we
have prepared to build
You a house for Your
holy name is from Your
hand”

(1 Chronicles 29:16)