The Church
The Dome
Atop Byzantine Catholic Churches we find domes. The number of domes on a church carries with it a certain symbolism. If for example, there is but one dome outside the church, it is said to represent the fact that there is only one god. Two domes would represent the two natures of Christ; three, the Trinity; and four, the Four Evangelists. Further, the inner circular dome is said to represent Heaven. Domes have been characteristic of Byzantine architecture for a long time. We can easily recognize a church as Byzantine Church by the domes we see as we approach it |
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The Church
The interior of a Byzantine Cathedral Church has a distinct and symbolic shape. It is divided into three parts: the Vestibule, the Nave, and the Sanctuary. The part of the church where we, the faithful assemble is called the Nave, derived from the Latin “navis” meaning “ship”. This reminds us that we are in a ship, the Church, and we are on a journey. Our destination is to be united with God. This is achieved each time we receive the Eucharist during the Divine Liturgy. Thus, the Nave is said to represent earth while the Sanctuary represents Heaven.
A further characteristic is that the church is constructed so that the altar faces East; since the sun rises in the East and light (i.e. the sun) has always been a symbol of God and goodness, we are reminded that Jesus, Who is present on the altar, is the Eternal Sun, the Light of the World. |
The Three Bar Cross, characteristic of our Byzantine Catholic Churches, is properly known as the “Slav Cross” (a.k.a. “Byzantine Cross”). People often wonder why the three bar Slav Cross is so different from the more frequent seen single bar cross. The top bar of our three bar cross represents the inscription containing the “crime” for which Jesus was crucified, while the bottom bar represents the plank to which his feet where nailed. More symbolically, however, tradition tells is that the top bar represents St. Peter, who was crucified upside down, while the bottom bar symbolically represents St. Andrew who was crucified on an X shaped cross. |
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Iconostas
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The Iconostas is an integral part of any Byzantine Catholic Church. Although it is of exceptional beauty, an Iconostas is not merely another decoration. An Iconostas serves as a separation between Heaven and Earth, that is, between the Nave (representing Earth) and the Sanctuary (representing Heaven). The Priest, representing Jesus Christ, serves as a link between Heaven and Earth for whenever he passes through the Royal Doors, the Gates of Heaven, so to speak, he always carries something representing Christ. It may be, for example, the Gospel Book, the word of God, the Holy Eucharist, the Body and Blood of Christ, or the chalice and paten, containing the bread and wine to be consecrated.
Only the priest may pass through the Royal Doors, and this may be done only during church services. At all other times the Royal Doors must remain closed and the Deacon’s Doors are to be used for entering the Sanctuary. |
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