Sanctuary
The sanctuary is the holy area behind the iconostasis and contains the Holy Table. Those serving there enter for their appointed responsibilities.
Key points
- The sanctuary presents the Kingdom of God and the heavenly worship around His throne.
- Look for: The area surrounding the freestanding Holy Table.
- Illustrated location: Sanctuary / altar area
- Christ and the sanctuary (Scripture): The Temple’s inner sanctuary housed the Ark. John 2 identifies Jesus’ body as the temple, while Hebrews 9 describes Christ entering the heavenly sanctuary once for all. These passages inform Orthodox understanding of the church sanctuary and Holy Table.
- The church is not a reconstruction of the Jerusalem Temple, and Christian Eucharistic worship does not continue its animal offerings.
- Prayer has a direction (Historical connection): Solomon’s prayer speaks of prayer toward the Temple and Jerusalem. A synagogue’s prayer direction therefore depends on its location. Orthodox churches commonly turn toward liturgical east, understood in relation to Christ and His coming.
- These directions are not identical. The biblical tabernacle and this Temple model have an eastern entrance and inner sanctuary to the west; liturgical east in a church can differ from compass east.
- Facing east and standing in Resurrection hope (Historical connection): Basil gives eastward prayer as an example of received, unwritten church practice. He relates the east to Eden in Genesis 2:8 and standing on the first day of the week to rising with Christ and seeking the things above in Colossians 3:1.
- Basil's interpretation is an important witness received especially in Eastern Christian worship, not proof that all churches in all places had an east-end altar. Liturgical east and geographic east need not coincide. Christian interpretations of unwritten tradition differ.
Scripture
- 1 Kings 6:1–35 — Christ and the sanctuary: The Temple’s inner sanctuary housed the Ark. John 2 identifies Jesus’ body as the temple, while Hebrews 9 describes Christ entering the heavenly sanctuary once for all. These passages inform Orthodox understanding of the church sanctuary and Holy Table.
- John 2:19–21 — Christ and the sanctuary: The Temple’s inner sanctuary housed the Ark. John 2 identifies Jesus’ body as the temple, while Hebrews 9 describes Christ entering the heavenly sanctuary once for all. These passages inform Orthodox understanding of the church sanctuary and Holy Table.
- Hebrews 9:1–12, 24–28 — Christ and the sanctuary: The Temple’s inner sanctuary housed the Ark. John 2 identifies Jesus’ body as the temple, while Hebrews 9 describes Christ entering the heavenly sanctuary once for all. These passages inform Orthodox understanding of the church sanctuary and Holy Table.
- 1 Kings 8:9, 27–30, 46–50 — Prayer has a direction: Solomon’s prayer speaks of prayer toward the Temple and Jerusalem. A synagogue’s prayer direction therefore depends on its location. Orthodox churches commonly turn toward liturgical east, understood in relation to Christ and His coming.
- Genesis 2:8 — Facing east and standing in Resurrection hope: Basil gives eastward prayer as an example of received, unwritten church practice. He relates the east to Eden in Genesis 2:8 and standing on the first day of the week to rising with Christ and seeking the things above in Colossians 3:1.
- Colossians 3:1-4 — Facing east and standing in Resurrection hope: Basil gives eastward prayer as an example of received, unwritten church practice. He relates the east to Eden in Genesis 2:8 and standing on the first day of the week to rising with Christ and seeking the things above in Colossians 3:1.
Sources and further reading
- 1 Kings 6:1–35 — World English Bible
- 1 Kings 8:9, 27–30, 46–50 — World English Bible
- Colossians 3:1-4 - World English Bible
- Genesis 2:8 - World English Bible
- Hebrews 9:1–12, 24–28 — World English Bible
- John 2:19–21 — World English Bible
- Basil of Caesarea - On the Holy Spirit 27.66
- John of Damascus — An Exposition of the Orthodox Faith, Book IV, chapter 12
- Chabad — Synagogue Architecture
- OCA — Altar Table
- OCA — Church Architecture & Orthodox Theology
- OCA — The Church Building
Related records
- Holy Table
- Tent of Meeting
- Most Holy Place
- Nave
- Prayer Direction
- Temple Porch
- Holy Doors
- Deacon Doors
- Table of Preparation
- Vestry (Diakonikon)
- High Place
- Tabernacle
- Gospel Book
- Chalice & Diskos
- Censer
- Cross & Liturgical Fans
- Altar / Holy Table
- Altar
- Lord's Table
- Lord's Table
- Communion Table
- Communion Table
- Communion Table
- Altar
- Communion Table