Lesson Three: Introduction to the Nave

Introduction

This week we concentrate on the Nave. From last week’s lesson we know that the Narthex, where we enter an Orthodox Church, symbolizes “this world”. As we enter into the Nave, we transition from “this world” to God’s.

Discussion: What do you think the difference is between this world and God’s Kingdom?

If we enter into the Kingdom of God, we should expect to see those whom God decided are ok to be there! That means Christ and His Saints, and we will see symbols of these around us in the form of icons. An icon is not something we worship, but rather view as “windows into heaven”. By that we mean that we see lessons or things that God wishes us to see.

Icon means image. In Orthodox teaching, we are all images or icons of Christ.

Icons In the Nave

Traditionally, the first thing we find in the Nave is an Icon stand or, “Proskinitarion” upon which will be an icon of the patron Saint of the Church. Directly to the right, or on both sides of that will be someplace for Christians light candles.

As we light our candle, we make the sign of the Cross and reverently kiss the icon, giving salutation (apasmos) and honorable reverence before entering into the Nave.

We also offer incense in through our candles. These are in honor of the holy person portrayed, and we believe that this reverence passes to that person.

At Saint John’s, our Icon is that of Saint John the Baptist. Saint John is often called the “forerunner” because he preceded Christ, helping to prepare people for the message of Salvation.

Saint John the Baptist

· Nave Icons: Proskinitarion

The next thing we do is to enter into the Nave, which is the most beautiful and impressive part of the Church. This is because of our Orthodox belief of the Nave as representing the kingdom of God. In the Book of Revelation this is Saint John’s vision of God on His throne in heaven being hymned unceasingly by angels, the "living creatures", and the "twenty four elders". In addition to the elders is an assembly of God’s Saints, which we represent in the Nave.

There are many other symbols in the Nave, of which one of the most impressive is the Pantrocrator, or Almighty One in the dome.

With His left hand Jesus holds the Holy Bible which contain His Words of life. In fact Christ is known as “the Word”.

With His Right hand Jesus blesses those who have come to His holy house. Jesus is depicted in the dome to remind us that His eye is always upon us. Christ Himself told us that He would be with us always and as Orthodox Christians message is told to us in the dome. But Christ is not only with us in Church, but in everything we do.

Notice the grouping of his fingers; three together and two together. The three symbolize the trinity; Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The two represent Christ being both God and man

Pantocrator

Beneath Christ in the Dome are icons of His four evangelists Matthew, Mark, Luke and John who occupy special places. To find out more about all the things they did and why we call them “evangelists”, read the books of “Acts”.

Represented as an old man with a long, pointed beard. In some Churches Saint Matthew will also be depicted with his symbol of a man. This is because he begins his Gospel with the long list of men who make up all the earthly ancestors of Christ. These ancestors show us that Christ’s family on this Earth descended from King David. This fulfills Old Testament prophecy that the Messiah would come from the House of David.

Saint. Matthew

Saint Mark, shown here as a middle aged man, is also often symbolized as a lion. He emphasized the “voice crying aloud in the wilderness” with such force that it spiritually seems as the roaring of a lion.

Saint Mark

A young man with a smaller beard and he is often symbolized with a calf. Luke is the only Evangelist who makes speaks of the “fatted calf” in the parable of the Prodigal Son. This story symbolizes a loving Father who prepares a feast for the return of His son from a life of sinfulness.

Saint Luke

John is represented as an old man with a long, pointed beard. John may be symbolized with an eagle, given to him because of the wonderful description he gives of Christ’s exaltedness in the beginning of his Gospel. “In the beginning was the Word (Christ)”.S

Saint John

In the Nave of Saint John’s Parish, on either side, we see large, stained glass windows; one with Moses the giver of the Law, the other David whom God said was a man of His own mind. These windows date from the days that Saint John’s was still a Jewish Synagogue, yet we keep them because we are also an Old Testament Church.

Moses

David

The last icon we will be looking at this week is that of the Mother of God, or Theotokos as the Platytera on the wall in front of the Altar. The inscription above Her head literally reads “Mother of God, She Who is Wider Than the Heavens”.

This icon is very important to us, saying “Look, the Great God has become small, coming to you as a child” At Her sides are the Archangels Gabriel (left) and Michael (right). Yet He is not a child at all and notice how the Theotokos seems to be presenting Him to us rather than really holding Him. In many icons, the Theotokos will have Her hands pointing in an outward gesture.

Next Lesson: Reading icons and the iconostasion.