High Place
The High Place lies behind the Holy Table at the liturgical east. In cathedrals and some larger churches it includes the bishop's seat, with seats for the clergy; a parish need not have a full set of these seats.
Key points
- The High Place points to Christ's Kingdom, with the bishop's seat expressing His pastoral presence.
- Look for: A central place or seat behind the Holy Table.
- Illustrated location: Sanctuary / altar area
- Earthly worship and the heavenly assembly (Scripture): Exodus places cherubim above the Ark; Isaiah sees seraphim praising God, and Revelation shows worship around the heavenly throne. Liturgical fans and the dome’s Christ Pantocrator image direct attention to this heavenly worship.
- Cherubim and seraphim are distinct biblical descriptions. Modern liturgical fans are an expression of angelic imagery, not the original cherubim of the Ark.
- Clothing set apart for worship (Orthodox reception): Exodus 28 describes garments set apart for priestly service. Orthodox vestments are also reserved for worship and receive biblical meanings in their prayers. Explore the vestry as the place where clergy prepare and vest.
- Christian vestments developed over centuries from several sources, including formal and imperial clothing. A symbolic parallel with an ephod or priestly turban does not establish direct descent of the sakkos or mitre.
- A rebuilt church with courts, seats, and an altar barrier (Historical connection): Eusebius's dedication address describes an outer enclosure, a colonnaded court with fountains, entrances admitting light, seats for those presiding, and an altar enclosed by carved wooden lattice-work. He reads the rebuilt church through biblical restoration imagery, including Haggai's promise of a greater latter glory.
- This is a celebratory description of one church, not a measured archaeological plan. Its altar barrier is not evidence for a fully developed modern iconostasis. Eusebius's application of Haggai is a Christian interpretation of a passage originally addressing the restored Jerusalem Temple.
- A church order arranges readers, ministers, and people (Historical connection): This church order prescribes a long, east-oriented building, a bishop's seat with presbyters, deacons attending the assembly, a reader in a raised place, psalm responses, and standing for the Gospel. Its arrangement links proclamation, oversight, and the congregation's participation.
- Despite its title and apostolic speaking voices, this is a fourth-century pseudonymous compilation, not an eyewitness architectural instruction written by the apostles or Clement of Rome. Its instructions, including social seating divisions, describe a prescriptive ideal rather than universal practice.
Scripture
- Exodus 25:10–40 — Earthly worship and the heavenly assembly: Exodus places cherubim above the Ark; Isaiah sees seraphim praising God, and Revelation shows worship around the heavenly throne. Liturgical fans and the dome’s Christ Pantocrator image direct attention to this heavenly worship.
- Isaiah 6:1–4 — Earthly worship and the heavenly assembly: Exodus places cherubim above the Ark; Isaiah sees seraphim praising God, and Revelation shows worship around the heavenly throne. Liturgical fans and the dome’s Christ Pantocrator image direct attention to this heavenly worship.
- Revelation 4:2–11 — Earthly worship and the heavenly assembly: Exodus places cherubim above the Ark; Isaiah sees seraphim praising God, and Revelation shows worship around the heavenly throne. Liturgical fans and the dome’s Christ Pantocrator image direct attention to this heavenly worship.
- Hebrews 12:22–24 — Earthly worship and the heavenly assembly: Exodus places cherubim above the Ark; Isaiah sees seraphim praising God, and Revelation shows worship around the heavenly throne. Liturgical fans and the dome’s Christ Pantocrator image direct attention to this heavenly worship.
- Exodus 28:2–4 — Clothing set apart for worship: Exodus 28 describes garments set apart for priestly service. Orthodox vestments are also reserved for worship and receive biblical meanings in their prayers. Explore the vestry as the place where clergy prepare and vest.
- Haggai 2:6-9 — A rebuilt church with courts, seats, and an altar barrier: Eusebius's dedication address describes an outer enclosure, a colonnaded court with fountains, entrances admitting light, seats for those presiding, and an altar enclosed by carved wooden lattice-work. He reads the rebuilt church through biblical restoration imagery, including Haggai's promise of a greater latter glory.
- Deuteronomy 27:9-10 — A church order arranges readers, ministers, and people: This church order prescribes a long, east-oriented building, a bishop's seat with presbyters, deacons attending the assembly, a reader in a raised place, psalm responses, and standing for the Gospel. Its arrangement links proclamation, oversight, and the congregation's participation.
- 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 — A church order arranges readers, ministers, and people: This church order prescribes a long, east-oriented building, a bishop's seat with presbyters, deacons attending the assembly, a reader in a raised place, psalm responses, and standing for the Gospel. Its arrangement links proclamation, oversight, and the congregation's participation.
Sources and further reading
- 1 Corinthians 14:26-40 - World English Bible
- Deuteronomy 27:9-10 - World English Bible
- Exodus 25:10–40 — World English Bible
- Exodus 28:2–4 — World English Bible
- Haggai 2:6-9 - World English Bible
- Hebrews 12:22–24 — World English Bible
- Isaiah 6:1–4 — World English Bible
- Revelation 4:2–11 — World English Bible
- Eusebius - Church History X.4.37-45: the church at Tyre
- OCA — The Church Building
- OCA — Vestments
- Archbishop of Ottawa — Everything in Our Life and Worship Points to Christ
- OCA — The High Place Behind the Altar Table
- Catholic Encyclopedia - Apostolic Constitutions: date and pseudonymous authorship
- Apostolic Constitutions II.57 - arranging the assembly