Transcript The Structure of the Church Memory Verse “O Lord our God, all this abundance that we have prepared to build You a house.

The Structure of the
Church
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, and is all Your own”
~(1 Chronicles 29:16)
STMARYCOMPUTERCENTER, EASTBRUNSWICK, NJ, Sunday School Computer Program© 2013
The Sanctuary
• The first section is the
Sanctuary (aka Holy of
Holies).
• It represents heaven
and contains the Altar,
the dome, the steps, and
the Eastern wall.
The Altar
• This is where the
sacrifice is offered.
• It is square in shape,
made of wood or
marble, has three
coverings on top and
must have a “holy
board” on it or
anointed with Chrism.
The Dome
• The dome above the
altar is based on four
columns.
• It is painted in blue to
represent Heaven, with
angels drawn on it.
Seven Steps
• Seven steps that lead up
to the Christ’s throne,
underneath the Eastern
wall.
• The seven steps
represent the seven
virtues required to
attain righteousness.
Eastern Wall
• It is a semi-circular wall
called the “Father’s
Bosom”.
• It has an Icon of Christ
sitting, surrounded by
angels and heavenly
creatures.
Eastern Wall
• He is looking directly at
the people and opening
His arms to them to
accept them all to Him.
• Only the Icon of Christ
is in the Sanctuary
because He is the only
one who is in Heaven.
The Royal Gate
• The gateway to the
sanctuary is called the
Royal Gate.
• Only the priests are
allowed to enter from
the Royal Gate.
The Iconostasis
• The Sanctuary is
separated from the
church by an
iconostasis (carrier of
the icons).
• The Icons on the
iconostasis have a
specific order.
The Iconostasis
• On the right side is an
icon of Christ, John the
Baptist, and any saint or
martyr.
The Iconostasis
• On the left side is an
icon of the Theotokos,
the annunciation, and
Saint Mark.
The Iconostasis
• Above the Royal Gate is
an icon of the Last
Supper surrounded by
the Twelve Disciples.
The Iconostasis
• Above is Christ crucified
with Saint Mary at his
right and St. John at his
left.
• An ostrich egg is
suspended below. The
ostrich egg represents
Christ’s resurrection.
• Christ came out of the
tomb like how a bird
comes out of its eggshell
Other Icons
• The rest of the icons are
placed around the Church
from left to right.
• Angels, St. Mary, St. John
the Baptist, Old
Testament Saints,
Apostles, Martyrs,
Confessors, and New
Testament Saints can be
used
Other Icons
• The rest of the icons are
placed around the Church
from left to right.
• Angels, St. Mary, St. John
the Baptist, Old
Testament Saints,
Apostles, Martyrs,
Confessors, and New
Testament Saints can be
used
The Baptismal Font
• At the west side of the
church is the Baptismal
font.
• Through Baptism, we are
taken from darkness into
light, and from being far
away from God to His
bosom, so we move from
West to East.
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, and is all Your own”
~(1 Chronicles 29:16)
STMARYCOMPUTERCENTER, EASTBRUNSWICK, NJ, Sunday School Computer Program© 2013