Difference between revisions of "Aer"

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The '''aer''' (Sl. ''vozdukh'') is a veil used for covering the [[paten]] and [[chalice]] during and after the [[Eucharist]]. The [[priest]] shakes the aer over the chalice when the [[Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed|creed]] is read; this symbolizes the descent of the [[Holy Spirit]]. The aer also represents the shroud of [[Christ]].  
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[[Image:Aer on a Chalice and Discos.jpg|thumb|right|200pxl|Aer on a Chalice and Diskos]]
[[Image:Aer on a Chalice and Discos.jpg|thumb|right|200pxl|Aer on a Chalice and Discos]]
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The '''Aër''' or '''Aer''' (Greek: Ἀήρ, lit. the "air"; modern Greek: Αέρας; Slavonic: Воздýхъ, Vozdúkh) is the largest and outermost of the veils covering the [[chalice]] and diskos (paten). It is rectangular in shape and corresponds to the veil used to cover the chalice and paten in the [[Latin Rite]], but is larger. It is often made of the same material and color as the vestments of the officiating [[priest]], and often has a fringe going all the way around its edge. Tassels may also be sewn at each of the corners.
  
In the [[Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts]], the aer covers the head of the priest during the [[Great Entrance]].
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It takes its name either from the lightness of the material of which it is made, or from the fact that during the [[Nicene Creed]] in the [[Divine Liturgy]], the priest holds it high in the air and waves it slowly over the chalice and diskos. Its original use was to cover the Chalice and prevent anything from falling into it before the consecration. It symbolizes the swaddling clothes with which [[Christ]] was wrapped at his [[Nativity]], and also the grave clothes in which he was wrapped at his burial (both themes are found in the text of the Liturgy of Preparation).
  
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The aër is first mentioned by name in an explanation of the Divine Liturgy by a writer of the sixth century, and is also alluded to as "the so-called aër" in the Acts of the [[Fifth Ecumenical Council]].
  
{{stub}}
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== Usage in the Divine Liturgy ==
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At the Divine Liturgy, during the Liturgy of Preparation, when the aër is to be placed over the [[Holy Gifts]] (the Bread and Wine for the Eucharist), it is first wrapped around the censer and then laid over the chalice and diskos, so that the front edge of the aër just touches the surface of the table. When not covering the Gifts, the aër is folded (usually folded 3 x 3, so that when it is laid out flat the creases will form a cross). The aër normally has a cross embroidered in its exact center,<ref>Not with the cross toward the front edge, as in the Latin Rite.</ref> so that when it is folded the cross is visible.
  
==External links==
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At the Great Entrance, when the sacred vessels are brought in procession to the [[Holy Table]] (altar), the priest will place the aër over the [[Deacon|deacon's]] left shoulder before he hands him the diskos (the priest himself will carry the Chalice). For this reason, the aër will often have ribbons sewn onto it, so it can be tied securely in place. If there is no deacon serving, the priest will place the aër around his own shoulders like a cape, which will leave his hands free to take both the diskos and the chalice.
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Just before the chanting of the [[Symbol of Faith]] (Nicene Creed), the Priest will kiss the diskos and chalice (by kissing the aër in the place where it touches each vessel) and the front edge of the Holy Table. During the Creed, the priest will hold the aër above the Gifts and waive it slowly, indicating the activity of the [[Holy Spirit]]. When a [[bishop]] is serving the Liturgy, the [[Concelebration|concelebrating]] priests will hold the Aër during the Creed as the bishop kneels (or bows his head) underneath it. After the Creed, the aër is folded and placed on the Holy Table. In some practices, the priest will turn and bless the people with the aër during the ''[[w:Sursum Corda|Sursum Corda]]''.
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Following [[Communion]], the aër is placed, still folded, on the diskos, together with the [[spear]], [[spoon]] and [[asterisk]] and little veils, and all are taken back to the [[Table of Oblation|prothesis]] by the deacon.
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== Other uses ==
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During a [[Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts]], the priest or deacon wears the aër on his left shoulder for the Great Entrance.
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Whenever a bishop first arrives at a [[Parish|church]] or [[monastery]], he will be greeted by the senior priest holding a tray covered by an aër, on which is placed a blessing cross for him to kiss.
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At the [[ordination]] of a priest, when it is time for the Great Entrance, the bishop will drape the aër over the candidate's head and shoulders, and in this manner he will carry it in the procession. The candidate will not enter the Sanctuary with the rest of the clergy, but will remain standing at the [[Holy Doors]]. The bishop will remove the aër from his head and place it over the Gifts and cense them, after which the Ordination takes place.
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During Feasts of the Cross, a cross is laid on a tray covered by an aër and decorated with basil leaves and flowers. This is carried by the priest from the Prothesis to the Holy Table, where it will remain until the Great Doxology near the end of [[Matins]]. At that point the priest will take it in procession to the center of the church where all the faithful will come forward to [[Veneration|venerate]] the cross.
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At the death of a priest or bishop, when his body is vested for burial, his face will be covered with an aër to show his closeness to the [[Sacraments|Sacred Mysteries]].
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In some of the monasteries on the [[Mount Athos|Holy Mountain]], when the [[Ecclesiarch]] (Sacristan) and Paraecclesiarch (his assistant) cense, each will wear an aër on his left shoulder.
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==External links and Sources==
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*[[Wikipedia:Aër]]
 
*[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/misc/litsas_dictionary_orthodox_terminology.htm#aer Aer] from ''A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology'' by Fotios K. Litsas, Ph.D. (Orthodox Research Institute)
 
*[http://www.orthodoxresearchinstitute.org/articles/misc/litsas_dictionary_orthodox_terminology.htm#aer Aer] from ''A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology'' by Fotios K. Litsas, Ph.D. (Orthodox Research Institute)
 
*[http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/forkids/askfather1.htm Why does the priest wave the aer over the Sacred Gifts during the Liturgy?] by Fr. Michael Monos, ''voithou'' of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, OH
 
*[http://www.theologic.com/oflweb/forkids/askfather1.htm Why does the priest wave the aer over the Sacred Gifts during the Liturgy?] by Fr. Michael Monos, ''voithou'' of Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church in Akron, OH
 
*[http://newadvent.org/cathen/01174a.htm Aër] from the ''[[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Encyclopedia''
 
*[http://newadvent.org/cathen/01174a.htm Aër] from the ''[[Roman Catholic Church|Catholic]] Encyclopedia''
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== Notes ==
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{{reflist}}
  
 
[[Category:Liturgical objects]]
 
[[Category:Liturgical objects]]
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[[el:Αέρας]]
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[[es:Aer]]
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[[ro:Aer]]

Latest revision as of 03:33, May 23, 2015

Aer on a Chalice and Diskos

The Aër or Aer (Greek: Ἀήρ, lit. the "air"; modern Greek: Αέρας; Slavonic: Воздýхъ, Vozdúkh) is the largest and outermost of the veils covering the chalice and diskos (paten). It is rectangular in shape and corresponds to the veil used to cover the chalice and paten in the Latin Rite, but is larger. It is often made of the same material and color as the vestments of the officiating priest, and often has a fringe going all the way around its edge. Tassels may also be sewn at each of the corners.

It takes its name either from the lightness of the material of which it is made, or from the fact that during the Nicene Creed in the Divine Liturgy, the priest holds it high in the air and waves it slowly over the chalice and diskos. Its original use was to cover the Chalice and prevent anything from falling into it before the consecration. It symbolizes the swaddling clothes with which Christ was wrapped at his Nativity, and also the grave clothes in which he was wrapped at his burial (both themes are found in the text of the Liturgy of Preparation).

The aër is first mentioned by name in an explanation of the Divine Liturgy by a writer of the sixth century, and is also alluded to as "the so-called aër" in the Acts of the Fifth Ecumenical Council.

Usage in the Divine Liturgy

At the Divine Liturgy, during the Liturgy of Preparation, when the aër is to be placed over the Holy Gifts (the Bread and Wine for the Eucharist), it is first wrapped around the censer and then laid over the chalice and diskos, so that the front edge of the aër just touches the surface of the table. When not covering the Gifts, the aër is folded (usually folded 3 x 3, so that when it is laid out flat the creases will form a cross). The aër normally has a cross embroidered in its exact center,[1] so that when it is folded the cross is visible.

At the Great Entrance, when the sacred vessels are brought in procession to the Holy Table (altar), the priest will place the aër over the deacon's left shoulder before he hands him the diskos (the priest himself will carry the Chalice). For this reason, the aër will often have ribbons sewn onto it, so it can be tied securely in place. If there is no deacon serving, the priest will place the aër around his own shoulders like a cape, which will leave his hands free to take both the diskos and the chalice.

Just before the chanting of the Symbol of Faith (Nicene Creed), the Priest will kiss the diskos and chalice (by kissing the aër in the place where it touches each vessel) and the front edge of the Holy Table. During the Creed, the priest will hold the aër above the Gifts and waive it slowly, indicating the activity of the Holy Spirit. When a bishop is serving the Liturgy, the concelebrating priests will hold the Aër during the Creed as the bishop kneels (or bows his head) underneath it. After the Creed, the aër is folded and placed on the Holy Table. In some practices, the priest will turn and bless the people with the aër during the Sursum Corda.

Following Communion, the aër is placed, still folded, on the diskos, together with the spear, spoon and asterisk and little veils, and all are taken back to the prothesis by the deacon.

Other uses

During a Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts, the priest or deacon wears the aër on his left shoulder for the Great Entrance.

Whenever a bishop first arrives at a church or monastery, he will be greeted by the senior priest holding a tray covered by an aër, on which is placed a blessing cross for him to kiss.

At the ordination of a priest, when it is time for the Great Entrance, the bishop will drape the aër over the candidate's head and shoulders, and in this manner he will carry it in the procession. The candidate will not enter the Sanctuary with the rest of the clergy, but will remain standing at the Holy Doors. The bishop will remove the aër from his head and place it over the Gifts and cense them, after which the Ordination takes place.

During Feasts of the Cross, a cross is laid on a tray covered by an aër and decorated with basil leaves and flowers. This is carried by the priest from the Prothesis to the Holy Table, where it will remain until the Great Doxology near the end of Matins. At that point the priest will take it in procession to the center of the church where all the faithful will come forward to venerate the cross.

At the death of a priest or bishop, when his body is vested for burial, his face will be covered with an aër to show his closeness to the Sacred Mysteries.

In some of the monasteries on the Holy Mountain, when the Ecclesiarch (Sacristan) and Paraecclesiarch (his assistant) cense, each will wear an aër on his left shoulder.

External links and Sources

Notes

  1. Not with the cross toward the front edge, as in the Latin Rite.