Difference between revisions of "Ambon"

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The '''Ambon''' (Amvon, or Ambo), in an Orthodox church building, is the space immediately in front of the [[Royal Doors]].  It is the place where the [[Gospel]] is normally read and the [[sermon]] is given.  In many churches, the ambo has one or more curved steps between it and the lower part of the [[nave]].  The entire elevated place in front of the [[Iconostasis]] is called the [[solea]]. 
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The '''Ambo''', also '''Amvon''' or '''Ambon''', is an architectural feature of an Orthodox Christian [[church]] building.  
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==Holy space==
 
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Even though it is part of the nave, the Orthodox faithful laity are careful not to casually stand on the Ambon.  They only stand there to receive the [[Holy Mysteries]].  If they need to walk from one side of the soleas to the other, they step down from soleas, rather than walking across the Ambon.
 
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==Episcopal ambo==
 
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In a [[cathedral]] there is usually a low platform in the center of the nave called the '''episcopal ambo''' or sometimes the Kathedra. This is where the [[bishop]] is vested prior to the [[Divine Liturgy]] and where he is enthroned until the [[Little Entrance]]. If the bishop is serving in a simple parish church, an episcopal ambo is set temporarily in place.
 
  
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==Ambo table==
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Historically, the ambo was originally a raised platform in the middle of the [[nave]] of the church, from which the [[Holy Scripture|scriptures]] were read during the [[Divine Liturgy]] and where the [[bishop]] is vested prior to the Divine Liturgy. Also, it is where he is enthroned (remains) until the [[Little Entrance]] with the Holy [[Gospel]]. Today, this practice may continue, usually in churches without pews.
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In some simple parish churches, when the episcopal ambo is not in place, an ambo table may be in the center of the nave. Other churches may just have a simple [[icon]] stand there.  
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The last public prayer of the Divine Liturgy is the "Prayer Before the Ambo". Originally, it was a prayer of thanksgiving said as the [[clergy]] descended the ambo at the end of the service. In ancient times, there was a large collection of Prayers Before the Ambo, written for the different [[feast days]] of the church year and for those occasional services, such as weddings and funerals, that called for celebration of the Divine Liturgy.
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In the modern era, the raised platform immediately in front of the [[Royal Doors]] is part of the bema and forms a platform from which the [[deacon]] proclaims the litanies, from which the [[Gospel]] may be read, and the [[sermon]] and the dismissals are given by the [[priest]] during the [[Divine Liturgy|Divine Services]].
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As a projection of the bema, the Ambon may have one or more curved steps between it and the floor of the [[nave]]. The entire bema in front of the [[Iconostasis]] is called the soleas. Generally, only the clergy and serving attendants walk on the ambo except when the faithful may be receiving the [[Holy Mysteries]]. Otherwise persons who need to walk from one end of the soleas to the other step down from soleas to the nave floor rather than walk across the ambo in front of the Royal Doors.
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At those times that the ambo in the middle of the church is not needed, an [[icon]] on a stand may be placed there for veneration.
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==Sources==
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*[[Wikipedia:Ambon_(liturgy)]]
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*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01382a.htm Ambo (in the Russian and Greek Church)]
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==External link==
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*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01381e.htm  Ambo]
  
 
[[Category:Church architecture]]
 
[[Category:Church architecture]]

Revision as of 16:40, July 1, 2010

The Ambo, also Amvon or Ambon, is an architectural feature of an Orthodox Christian church building.

Historically, the ambo was originally a raised platform in the middle of the nave of the church, from which the scriptures were read during the Divine Liturgy and where the bishop is vested prior to the Divine Liturgy. Also, it is where he is enthroned (remains) until the Little Entrance with the Holy Gospel. Today, this practice may continue, usually in churches without pews.

The last public prayer of the Divine Liturgy is the "Prayer Before the Ambo". Originally, it was a prayer of thanksgiving said as the clergy descended the ambo at the end of the service. In ancient times, there was a large collection of Prayers Before the Ambo, written for the different feast days of the church year and for those occasional services, such as weddings and funerals, that called for celebration of the Divine Liturgy.

In the modern era, the raised platform immediately in front of the Royal Doors is part of the bema and forms a platform from which the deacon proclaims the litanies, from which the Gospel may be read, and the sermon and the dismissals are given by the priest during the Divine Services.

As a projection of the bema, the Ambon may have one or more curved steps between it and the floor of the nave. The entire bema in front of the Iconostasis is called the soleas. Generally, only the clergy and serving attendants walk on the ambo except when the faithful may be receiving the Holy Mysteries. Otherwise persons who need to walk from one end of the soleas to the other step down from soleas to the nave floor rather than walk across the ambo in front of the Royal Doors.

At those times that the ambo in the middle of the church is not needed, an icon on a stand may be placed there for veneration.

Sources

External link

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