Church utensils

Church utensils

Altar cross

The cross lying permanently on the altar table beside the Gospel, used to bless the people and offered to them to kiss.

Church utensils

Altar Gospel book

The service Gospel in a heavy metal cover, kept on the altar table and carried out at the Little Entrance.

Church utensils

Analogion

A tall stand with a sloping top: it holds the icon of the day, books for reading, and the cross and Gospel at confession.

Church utensils

Antimension

A silk cloth showing the burial of Christ, signed by the ruling bishop and containing a relic; without it no Liturgy may be served.

Church utensils

Asterisk

Two metal arcs joined crosswise, set over the diskos so the cover does not disturb the particles beneath.

Church utensils

Baptismal font

The large vessel of blessed water in which a person is immersed three times at baptism.

Church utensils

Bells

Bell-ringing calls people to church and tells what is happening inside: four distinct kinds of ringing for four occasions.

Church utensils

Censer

A metal bowl on chains where incense burns over hot charcoal, used to honour the holy things and the people.

Church utensils

Chalice

The footed cup in which the Blood of Christ is consecrated and from which the faithful receive communion.

Church utensils

Chandelier (panikadilo)

The great chandelier hanging under the dome, lit at the most festive moments of the service and extinguished for the penitential ones.

Church utensils

Communion spoon

The long-handled spoon, topped with a cross, used to give communion to the laity.

Church utensils

Dikirion and trikirion

Two hand-held candlesticks, of two and of three candles, with which a bishop blesses the people.

Church utensils

Diskos (paten)

A round footed plate holding the Lamb — the portion of prosphora that becomes the Body of Christ at the Liturgy.

Church utensils

Epitaphios

A large cloth depicting Christ laid in the tomb, brought out to the centre of the church on Great Friday.

Church utensils

Holy myrrh (chrism)

The fragrant oil prepared and consecrated by the Patriarch, used for chrismation — once in a lifetime, immediately after baptism.

Church utensils

Holy vessels

The chalice, diskos, asterisk, spear and spoon — the set used to celebrate the Liturgy, reserved for that alone.

Church utensils

Incense

The fragrant tree resin burned in the censer; its rising smoke is a visible image of prayer.

Church utensils

Lampada (oil lamp)

A small oil lamp with a floating wick burning before an icon — never extinguished in church, lit at home for prayer.

Church utensils

Liturgical spear

A flat double-edged knife shaped like a spearhead, used to cut the Lamb and the commemorative particles from the prosphora.

Church utensils

Pyx

A small ark in which a priest carries communion to the sick at home or in hospital, worn on the breast.

Church utensils

Ripidion

A metal disc bearing a six-winged seraph on a long handle, held over the holy gifts at a hierarchical service.

Church utensils

Seven-branched candlestick

A lamp-stand with seven lights standing behind the altar table, visible through the open royal doors.

Church utensils

Tabernacle

A church-shaped ark standing permanently on the altar table, holding the Reserved Gifts for the gravely ill.