|
|
|
|
|
Saint
Nectarios Greek Orthodox Church and Shrine
|
|
|
|
|
The Iconostasis, Royal
Doors, and Deacon’s Doors
|
|
|
^
|
|
Deacon’s
Doors
|
^
|
|
Royal
Doors
|
^
|
|
Deacon’s
Doors
|
|
|
|
< ------------------- Iconostasis -------------------->
|
|
|
The Royal Doors, holy doors, or beautiful
gates are the central doors of the iconostasis in
an Eastern Orthodox. In Orthodox Churches, the sanctuary is separated from the nave by a wooden screen called the iconostasis and located east end of the church. The iconostasis
represents Christian continuity from the veil of the Temple in Jerusalem
which separated the people from the Holy of Holies that housed the Ark of
the Covenant. Normally, the iconostasis has three doors in
it. The two single doors to the right and left are called "deacons'
doors" or "angel doors" and they usually have on
them icons of either sainted deacons (Saint Stephen, Saint Lawrence,
etc.) or the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. These are the doors that the
clergy will normally use when entering the altar. The central double doors
are the "Royal Doors or Holy Doors or beautiful gates", which
are considered to be most sacred, and may only be entered at certain sacred
moments during the services, and only by ordained clergy (deacons, priests,
bishops).
The term Royal Doors is commonly used
to describe the Holy Doors, because Christ passes through these gates during the Great Entrance at the Divine Liturgy (and most
especially during the Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts).
Nave’s east end ceiling
Full view of Iconostasis or Templon
|
|