+ SYMBOLS AND TERMS OF THE CHURCH +
The word "symbol" is of Greek origin meaning "to put together to join or to combine." In the Christian community symbols can be such things as visual images or words that have been joined to deep spiritual meanings.
Jesus used symbolism. He used symbolic images such as the Good Shepherd, the Door, the Vine and the Light; symbolic actions such as washing the disciples' feet and entering into Jerusalem; symbolic numbers such as seventy times seven; symbolic objects such as water, bread, wine and oil.
The following paragraphs discusses basic symbols of the Christian tradition and defines terms related to architecture, appointments and vestments.
Symbols are a rich treasury of the Christian message. By using symbols intelligently we have a meaningful and vivid communication of the Gospel.
ABOUT OUR CHURCH BUILDING
The church building is in a unique way the house of God. The inscription over the doorway entering the Narthex "House of God. Gate of Heaven" is from Genesis 28:17-19 which reads in part, "He called the name of that place Bethel for this is none other than the House of God, and this is the Gate of Heaven."
The church building is the holy place where "the one, holy, catholic and apostolic church," the body of Christ, comes to visible expression and is built up. "For we, being many, are one bread and one body, for we are all Partakers of that one bread" (1 Cor. 10:17). The church building is therefore a symbol of the body of Christ.
The church is the place where heaven is anticipated. Therefore it is a symbol of heaven and the eternal union af God and His people. "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men." (Rev. 21:3)
PARTS OF THE BUILDING
The Chancel: is the elevated portion at the front end of the church which includes the Sanctuary.
The Sanctuary: is the elevated place where the altar stands in the Chancel.
The Nave: Latin for "ship". The Nave is the main body of the church in which the pews are located. The church is pictured as a ship sailing the ocean of time and thus its largest room derives this name.
The Narthex: The vestibule usually across the entire west end of the church containing main entrance. It is a room provided for a transition from the outside world to the church proper.
The Sacristy: is the room located in the northwest corner of the church building used to store vessels and Paraments.
The Cross: is the most familiar of all symbols for Christ. The design used in the Bethel sanctuary is the Latin cross. This cross has the upper arm and the two side arms of equal length and the lower arm is twice as long. The lighted cross on the outside of our building is also a Latin cross. The cross on the church tower is a Celtic cross--the circle symbolizes eternity for it has no end. The cross in the Chapel has the letters IHS which are the first three letters of the name Jesus in Greek.
Candles: symbolize Christ as the light of the world. The three candles in the cubicles symbolize the Holy Trinity, Father, Son-and Holy Spirit. The seven candles on the standing candelabra symbolize the sevenfold gifts of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 12). The two candles on the Chapel altar symbolize the two natures of Christ - divine and human.
The Processional Candlesticks (Torches) when placed near the altar serve as Eucharistic lights They are only lit and placed near the altar when the Eucharist (The Lord's Supper) is being celebrated. A second set of Processional Candlesticks are placed at the pulpit and lectern to symbolizes the light that the Word of God gives us. The Sanctuary Light symbolizes the constant presence of God - it is always lit. We read In Leviticus 24:1-4 "That a light may be kept burning continually before the Lord." The Wedding Candelabra with three candles symbolizes two becoming one.
The Altar: the most important article in the Church furnishings: the focal point of Divine worship; the place of the Lord's Supper. It is a symbol of God's presence and the sacrifice of Christ. The Alpha and Omega symbol on the altar front signifies the eternalness of God. Rev. 22:13 says (Jesus is speaking:) "I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end." Reminding us that He is always present with us.
ALTAR TERMS
Gradine: Latin for "step." The retable at the back of the altar on which the candlesticks are placed on Good Friday. This step has been removed from our present altar since it is now moved out from the wall. This facilitates using the altar for Holy Communion.
Mensa: Latin for "table". The top surface of the altar.
Predella: top step on which the altar stands.
Sacramental Vessels: vessels used at Holy Communion and Baptism.
Chalice: from the Latin calix meaning "cup". It is the cup used in administering the Lord's Supper.
Paten: Latin for "dish". Shallow plate used for the bread during the distribution of communion.
Ciborium: This term is derived from the Greek "kiborion". It is a cup-like vessel in which the wafers are brought to the altar for Holy Communion.
Cruet: derived from the medieval French "cruette," meaning little jug. It is a glass vessel, somewhat like a pitcher, used to contain wine at the celebration of Holy Communion.
Ewer: The pitcher-like metal vessel in which water is brought to and from the Baptismal Font:
Sacramental Linens: linens used at Holy Communion and Baptism.
Corporal: from the Latin "corpus" meaning body. The corporal is the linen which is placed over the fair linen in the midst of the altar and on which the sacred communion vessels stand. It is symbolic of the linen wrapped about the face of Christ when He was laid in the tomb.
The Pall: is a square of white linen stiffened with hard plastic which is placed over the chalice. It symbolizes the linen in which the body of Christ was enshrouded. A Funeral. Pall is a large white cloth which covers a closed casket during the funeral service.
The Purificator: the linen cloth of napkin size used to cleanse the rim of the chalice during the administration of Holy Communion.
The Veil: the cloth that covers the sacramental vessels before and after Holy communion.
The Burse: a folder-like case in which the corporal, purificators, the Pall and Veil are placed as they are taken to and from the altar.
Altar Linens: the three cloths used to cover the altar top (mensa).
Cere cloth: a cloth treated to make it impervious to moisture, which is placed first on the altar.
Protector: is heavy linen placed over the cere-cloth and to which the super-frontal is sewn to hold it in place.
Fair Linen: the topmost cloth placed on the altar and always kept there. It is made of fine, white hemmed linen. It may be plain or embroidered with five simple crosses. This linen is also symbolic of the linen used to wrap the body of Christ.
Superfrontal: the altar-hanging which extends the length of the altar and falls a short distance below the front edge of the Mensa. It bears the color of the season or festival of the Church year.
CHURCH FURNISHINGS
The Pulpit: Latin for "raised platform". The pulpit is more than just a practical piece of furniture for it symbolizes the authority of the church to preach the Word of God. The symbol on the pulpit is Luther's coat of arms. (Click here for more info)
The Lectern: Latin for "to read". A desk opposite the pulpit for the Bible from which the lessons are read. The lamp on the lectern is a symbol of the "Word of God." Psalm 119:105 says, "Thy Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path."
The Credence Tables: A table for the purpose of serving the altar is called a Credence. On it the sacred vessels containing the bread and the wine are placed before they are moved to the altar during the offertory. Offering plates and flowers are also placed on Credence tables.
The Baptismal Font: Latin for "fountain". The receptacle of wood in which the water for the administration of Holy Baptism is placed. The shell on the font is a symbol of Baptism. Shells are sometimes used to pour the water in baptism.
Baptismal Towel: is made of medium weight linen and is embroidered with a shell on one end.
Baptismal Candle: is lighted from the Paschal and presented to the child after baptism. It should be lit on the anniversary of the child's baptism each subsequent year to celebrate this "spiritual birthday".
Baptismal Oil: At an early time, Perhaps to demonstrate physically the New Testament description of Jesus as the Christ, God's Anointed, and also the conviction that the Christian is anointed with the Holy Spirit, the church began to anoint the baptized with oil. The substance used for this anointing is olive oil or another vegetable oil into which is mixed a fragrant oil such as balsam. The oil is stored in a silver flagon or glass cruet.
Sedilia: seats for clergy and others officiating al worship services.
Dossal (or Dorsal): Latin for back". A hanging parament attached to the wall behind the altar.
Antependium: Latin for "to hang before". Ornamented cloth paraments hung before the altar, pulpit and lectern.
Missal Stand: the small book-rest on the altar.
Missal: the altar service book containing the liturgy of the Church.
THE LITURGICAL COLORS
White: suggests gladness, light, and joy. It is accordingly used for festivals of Christ and during the seasons of Christmas and Easter.
Red: symbolizes the fire of the Spirit and the blood of Christ and His martyrs. It is used for Holy Week, the week of Pentecost, on Holy Cross Day, the days of all martyrs, Reformation Day, for ordination, assemblies of the Church and church anniversaries.
Purple: Is used during Lent to suggest somberness, royalty and solemnity.
Blue: Is used during Advent to suggest eternity and hope.
Green: the color of living, growing plants, suggests spiritual growth. It is used during the season of Epiphany and Pentecost.
Black: the color of mourning is used on Ash Wednesday and on days of Humiliation and Prayer.
Gold: may be used in place of white for the Epiphany of Our Lord and for the Resurrection of Our Lord.
Additional Symbols
The Combined Triangle and 3 Circles on Tower and Doors: are symbols of the Holy Trinity - Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Flowers: use of flowers is permissible for the adornment of the altar.
Processional Cross: a cross attached to a staff, borne in a procession.
Liturgical East End: The end in which the altar is erected, no matter what other point of the compass it may be, is spoken of technically, as the Liturgical East End. See Ezekiel 43:4.
The Prie Dieu: a movable prayer desk.
REFERENCES
A Manual on Worship by Paul Zeller Strodach
What An Altar Guild Should Know by Paul H. O. Lang
Basic Symbols and Terms of the Church by Wendell Matthews
Dictionary of Liturgy and Worship edited by J. G. Davies
Prepared for Bethel Lutheran Church by the Rev. Edward Voosen
