Eastern Orthodox church architecture

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(November 2008)

The Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Moscow, the world's tallest Orthodox church.
An Orthodox church as a church building of Eastern Orthodoxy has a distinct, recognizable
style among church architectures.

Contents

1 History
2 Terminology

3 Architecture
o

3.1 Narthex

3.2 Nave

3.3 Iconostasis

3.4 Sanctuary

4 Gallery

5 See also

6 External links

History

The Cathedral of Saint Sava in Belgrade, Serbia.

Church of the Intercession on the Nerl (1165), one of the most famous Russian medieval
churches. Part of the White Monuments of Vladimir and Suzdal site, on the UN World Heritage
List.
While sharing many traditions, East and West in Christianity began to diverge from each other
from an early date. Whereas the basilica, a long aisled hall with an apse at one end, was the most
common form in the West, a more compact centralised style became predominant in the East.
These churches were in origin 'martyria' focused on the tombs of the saintsspecifically, the
martyrs who had died during the persecutions, which only fully ended with the deathbed
conversion of the Emperor Constantine. They copied pagan tombs and were roofed over by a
dome which symbolised heaven. The central dome was then often surrounded by structures at the
four points of the compass producing a cruciform shape - these were themselves often topped by
towers or domes. The centralised and basilica structures were sometimes combined as in the

church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. The basilican east end then allowed for the erection of
an iconostasis, a screen on which icons are hung and which conceals the altar from the
worshippers except at those points in the liturgy when its doors are opened.
A variant form of the centralised church was developed in Russia and came to prominence in the
16th century. Here the dome was replaced by a much thinner and taller hipped or conical roof
which, it is said, originated from the need to prevent snow from remaining on roofs. One of the
finest examples of these tented churches is St. Basil's in Red Square in Moscow.
For a long time churches and aristocratic palaces were dominating in the art of architecture,
therefore the evolution of Orthodox churches are presented in great detail in articles "Byzantine
architecture" and "Russian architecture".
Unlike Western Christian architecture with its tendencies of modernity (see, e.g., Liverpool
Metropolitan Cathedral or Notre Dame du Haut), Orthodox architectural style remains largely
conservative and traditional. One notable and architecturally important exception is Frank Lloyd
Wright's design of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, in the
United States.

Terminology

Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow's Red Square.

The Postmodern Church of the Holy Spirit in Bialystok is the largest Orthodox house of worship
in all of Poland.
In the Russian language (similar to other East Slavic languages) a general-purpose word for
"church" is tserkov. When spoken in an exalted sense, the term khram (), "temple", is used
to refer to the church building as a Temple of God (Khram Bozhy). The words "church" and
"temple", in this case are interchangeable; however, the term church (Greek: ) is far
more common in English. The term "temple" (Greek: ) is also commonly applied to larger
churches. Some famous churches which are occasionally referred to as temples include Hagia
Sophia, Saint Basil's Cathedral, Cathedral of Christ the Saviour, Temple of Saint Sava.
Some churches have a special status and referred to as soborny khram (c ) or
simply sobor, from the Old Russian word for "gathering" (see sobor for other meanings). In
Greek, diocesan sees are referred to as . In Russian, a cathedral is a "sobor"
(Russian: , kafedralny sobor). The seat of the Patriarch is called a
"patriarchal sobor" ( , Patriarchiy sobor) The main church of a monastery
may also called a "sobor". If a bishop builds a new sobor for his cathedra, the old church retains
its status of a sobor. The status of sobor may be assigned only by the Patriarch.
The major church in a monastery is called a catholicon, and may be reserved for major services,
lesser services being celebrated in other churches in the monastery.
A church independent of local eparchy is called "stauropegial sobor" (Greek stauropegia means
"mounting of the cross"). For example, patriarchal sobors are stauropigial ones.
Another kind of extra-eparchial churches are house churches, which belong to households.

Architecture
See also: List of Russian church types

An illustrated layout of the traditional interior of an Orthodox Church

Cathedral of Christ the Saviour in Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina, built from naturalcolored stone imported from Mesopotamia region and golden cupolas.
Orthodox church buildings have the following basic shapes, each with its own symbolism:

Elongated: rectangle, rounded rectangle (oval), symbolizing the ship as a means of

salvation (Noah's Ark)
Cruciform (cross shaped)

Star shaped

Circular

The cupola instead of a flat ceiling symbolizes the sky. In Russian churches, cupolas are often
topped by onion-shaped domes, where crosses are mounted. These domes are called "heads"
() or "poppy heads" (, ). Sometimes crosses have a crescent-like shape at
the bottom so that the shape resembles an anchor, which symbolizes hope for salvation.[citation needed]

The altar (sanctuary) is situated in the eastern part of the church, regardless of its shape. A bell
tower is attached to (or built separately by) the western part of the church.
The church building has many symbolic meanings; perhaps the oldest and most prominent is the
concept that the Church is the Ark of Salvation (as in Noah's Ark) in which the world is saved
from the flood of temptations. Because of this, most Orthodox Churches are rectangular in
design. Another popular shape, especially for churches with large choirs is cruciform or crossshaped. Architectural patterns may vary in shape and complexity, with chapels sometimes added
around the main church, or triple altars (Liturgy may only be performed once a day on any
particular altar), but in general, the symbolic layout of the church remains the same.
The Church building is divided into three main parts: the narthex (vestibule), the nave (the
temple proper) and the sanctuary (also called the altar or holy place).
A major difference of traditional Orthodox churches from Western churches is the absence of any
pews in the nave. In some ethnic traditions of Orthodoxy, it was deemed disrespectful to sit
during sermons. However in some churches in the West and particularly in the diaspora churches
in the USA, pews and kneelers were introduced, under the influence of other Christian
denominations.

Narthex
The narthex is the connection between the Church and the outside world and for this reason
catechumens (pre-baptized Orthodox) and non-Orthodox are to stand here (note: the tradition of
allowing only confirmed Orthodox into the nave of the church has for the most part fallen into
disuse). In monastic churches it is usual for the lay people visiting the monastery to stand in the
narthex while the monks or nuns stand in the nave. Separating the narthex from the nave are the
Royal Doors (either because Christ passes through them in the liturgy, or from the time of the
Byzantine Empire, when the emperor would enter the main body of Hagia Sophia, the Church of
Holy Wisdom, through these doors and proceed up to the altar to partake of the Eucharist). On
either side of this portal are large brass candlestands called menalia which represent the pillars of
fire which went before the Hebrews into the promised land.

Nave

A view of the nave in the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of the Holy Trinity in Chicago (designed
by Louis Sullivan).
The nave is the main body of the church where the people stand during the services. In most
traditional Eastern Orthodox churches there are no seats or pews as in the West, but rather
stacidia (A high-armed chair with arm rests high enough to be used for support while standing);
these are usually found along the walls. Traditionally there is no sitting during services with the
only exceptions being during the reading of the Psalms, and the priest's sermon. The people stand
before God. However, many exceptions to this can be found in western countries, especially the
USA, where familiarity with Catholic and Protestant churches has led to similarities in church
furnishings. It is not uncommon to encounter both pews and kneelers.
The walls are normally covered from floor to ceiling with icons or wall paintings of saints, their
lives, and stories from the Bible. Because the church building is a direct extension of its Jewish
roots where men and women stand separately, the Orthodox Church continues this practice, with
men standing on the right and women on the left. With this arrangement it is emphasized that we
are all equal before God (equal distance from the altar), and that the man is not superior to the
woman. In many modern churches this traditional practice has been altered and families stand
together.
Above the nave in the dome of the church is the icon of Christ the Almighty
(/Pantokrator, "Ruler of All"). Directly hanging below the dome (In more
traditional churches) is usually a kind of circular chandelier with depictions of the saints and
apostles, called the horos.
The Nave of an Orthodox Church can vary in shape/size & layout according to the various
traditions within the Church. The two most common layouts inside Orthodox Churches since
Justinian have been a cruciform layout, an open square/rectangular layout, or a more linear
layout w/ side-aisles. However the latter of which has fallen out of use since the Great Schism, as

it was more widely used in Western Churches and better suited the services celebrated in them.
The two former layouts, the open square (or rarely, circular) and the cruciform have been found
best suit celebration of the Divine Liturgy and other Orthodox Churches. These two interior
layouts tend to be square/circular in form rather than elongated.
The cruciform is the oldest of the two interior layouts and seems to be of Byzantine origin. It
comes from the adaptation of two of the earliest Christian architectural forms, the Basilica and
the octagonal/circular form. The cruciform church often includes side-aisles similar to the
Western Basilica, but they are often very short and cut open in the middle leaving a large cross
shape through the middle of the church. The open square/circle is the newer of the two forms. It
is most commonly found in Eastern European churches & more modern Greek churches. This
church retains the earlier square/circular shape, however the side-aisles have been removed
opening the space completely. This has found wider use across the world in more recent years
with the invention of steel, as it allows for the dome to be supported without the need off massive
arches and columns which were main features of the older cruciform churches.

Iconostasis
Main article: Iconostasis

A depiction of the front of an iconostasis from Stepan Shukhvostov's Church of St. Alexis in the
Chudov Monastery of the Moscow Kremlin.

Mid-17th-century iconostasis at Ipatiev Monastery. To either side of the Holy Doors are Christ
Pantokrator and the Theotokos; above them, the Great Feasts; above them, the Deesis; above that
Prophets to either side of Our Lady of the Sign; above them the Apostles to either side of the
Holy Trinity.
The iconostasis, also called the /templon, it is a screen or wall between the nave and the
sanctuary, which is covered with icons. There will normally be three doors, one in the middle and
one on either side. The central one is traditionally called the Beautiful Gate and is only used by
the clergy. There are times when this gate is closed during the service and a curtain is drawn. The
doors on either side are called the Deacons' Doors or Angel Doors as they often have depicted on
them the Archangels Michael and Gabriel. These doors are used by deacons and servers to enter
the sanctuary. Typically, to the right of the Beautiful Gate (as viewed from the nave) is the icon
of Christ, then the icon of St John the Baptist; to the left the icon of the Theotokos, always
shown holding Christ; and then the icon of the saint to whom the church is dedicated (i.e., the
patron). There are often other icons on the iconostasis but these vary from church to church. The
curtain is also drawn and opened at various points in the service.
Above and behind the iconostasis (if the iconostasis does not reach the ceiling) is the
/Platytera ton Ouranon ("more spacious than the heavens"), the icon of Virgin
Mary with Christ blessing all. Oil lamps burn before all the icons.

Sanctuary
The area behind the iconostasis reached through the Beautiful Gates or Angel Doors is the
sanctuary or altar. Within this area is the altar table, which is more often called the holy table or
throne; the apse containing the high place at the center back with a throne for the bishop and the
synthronos, or seats for the priests, on either side; the Chapel of Prothesis on the north side
where the offerings are prepared in the Proskomedia before being brought to the altar table and
the holy vessels are stored; and the Diaconicon on the south side where the vestments are stored.

Orthodox Altars are usually square. Traditionally they have a heavy brocade outer covering that
reaches all the way to the floor. Occasionally they have canopies over them. All Eastern
Orthodox altars have a saint's relics embedded inside them, usually that of a martyr, placed at the
time they are consecrated. Atop the altar table at the center toward the back is an ornate container
usually called the tabernacle where the reserved Eucharistic elements are stored for communion
of the sick. It is often shaped like a model of a church building. In front of this is placed the
Gospel book, which usually has a decorated metal cover. Under the gospel is a folded piece of
cloth called the eiliton. Folded within the eiliton is the antimension, which is a silken cloth
imprinted with a depiction of the burial of Christ and with relics sewn into it. Both these cloths
are unfolded before the offerings are placed on the altar table. Behind the altar is a sevenbranched candlestick, which recalls the seven-branched candlestick of the Old Testament
Tabernacle and Temple in Jerusalem. Behind this is a golden processional cross. On either side of
the cross are liturgical fans (Greek: ripidia or hexapteryga) which represent the six-winged
Seraphim. Against the wall behind the altar is a large cross. Hanging from the cross is usually a
flat iconographic depiction of Christ (corpus) which can be removed during the 50 days
following Pascha (Easter).
Traditionally, no animal products other than wool and beeswax are allowed in the altar. In theory,
this prohibition covers leather (in the form of leather-bound service-books and shoes), but this is
not always enforced today. Money is also forbidden. None may enter the altar without a blessing
from the priest or bishop, and personal jewelry, such as rings and earrings, is not worn by those
serving there.

Gallery

Our Lady of Ljevi was converted to a mosque during the Ottoman Empire and then back
into an Orthodox Church in the early 20th century. It is on the List of World Heritage in
Danger.

Tbilisi Sameba Cathedral A Georgian Orthodox church in Tbilisi

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in Sofia, Bulgaria.

The Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev, Ukraine.

The Alexander Nevsky Cathedral in d was built through the contributions of the city's
mercantilist elite as well as the Tsar of Russia.

A wooden miracle of Kizhi, part of an ensemble of wooden churches, chapels and houses.
It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Russia and an UNESCO World
Heritage Site.

Architectural-ethnographic museum "Khokhlovka" in Perm Krai. Church of

Transformation of the Lord (1707) and a watchtower (XVII century).

Tokyo Resurrection Cathedral (Japanese: Nicorai-do, after Nikolai of Japan).

A wing of Peterhof Palace near Saint Petersburg houses a private orthodox chapel of the
Russian tsars.

The Orthodox Church in Biaowiea, Poland, on the edge of the Biaowiea Primaeval
Forest.

Orthodox churches are common in Alaska, particularly in the southern and southwest
portions of the state.

A Serbian Orthodox church in Nocaj, Vojvodina

Svetitskhoveli Cathedral A Georgian orthodox church in Mtskheta Georgia Between 1010

and 1029.It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Georgia and an UNESCO
World Heritage Site.

The Orthodox Church of the Icon of Our Lady of Czstochowa is a Polish Orthodox
church in Czstochowa honoring the Icon of Our Lady of Czstochowa, considered to be
one of the country's national symbols.

The Russian Orthodox Church of Saint Sofia in Harbin, China.

The church of the Theotokos Orans in Vilnius demonstrates typical features of developed
Byzantine revival: exposed two-tone, striped, masonry; four symmetrical apses tightly
fused into the main dome, creating a tall triangular outline; arcades blending into the
domes; and a relatively small belltower, clearly subordinate to the main dome.

Saint Isaac's Cathedral in Saint Petersburg, the most famous example of an Orthodox
church built in the style of classicism.

The Supral Lavra is undergoing conservation work since the collapse of Communism
when the Polish government returned it to the Polish Autocephalous Orthodox Church.