The Place of the Liturgy

This sacred space is divided into three parts: the narthex, the nave, and the altar

The Christian community and its place of worship are both called church. Church as place of worship is the physical space where the community assembles and manifests itself as the Kingdom of God here and now. Throughout this space we have many icons which truly make present those people and events they represent. In this way icons are more than just images or decoration. Icons are a sacramental art that seeks to express a transfigured reality. They reflect transfiguration that is possible in Christ. They make real our communion, unity, and identity with the spiritual and glorified dimensions of the Church, both the physical space and the assembled community.

The Narthex

The narthex forms the entry way into the church. This is where rites of initiation begin such as the initial prayers of baptism and the exchange of rings during a marriage ceremony. In this way the Church guides us into the new life in Christ. It is also here that the prayers of litia are said during an evening vigil service. Since the narthex is part of the Church we should refrain from idle talk in this space. At Ss. Constantine and Elena we have installed speakers in the narthex and in the “cry room” upstairs. In this way it is still possible to hear the service when small children need to be taken out.

The Nave

The nave is the main part of the Church itself where the community assembles for worship. It is here that the many icons and the iconostasis signify the unity of the Church in the Kingdom of God where we worship God, proclaim the victory of Christ over death, and receive the Eucharistic gifts and the grace of the Holy Spirit. We are called to enter into this space “with faith, reverence, and fear,” not disruptively as if we were impatiently rushing to catch a bus. We make the sign of the cross upon entry and when we exit as a sign of our faith in the work of Christ on the Cross. At Ss. Constantine and Elena we are blessed with stained glass windows that create various combinations of red, yellow, and green light that change constantly throughout the day and time of year. We should strive to make this truly a space where we can be received into the Kingdom of God.