Sanctuary?

[Jack Kollmann]

Re: terms for the area behind the iconostasis of a Russian Orthodox
church.  There are several terms involved.
         Russ. altar' = sanctuary, chancel, bema:  the entire eastern
portion of the interior of a church behind the iconostasis, usually raised
above the level of the nave and separated from it by steps.  More
specifically, it is the central portion of that area, where the altar
(Russ., prestol, lit. throne) is located.
         Russ. zhertvennik = prothesis:  the area or room in the sanctuary
to the north (to the left as one faces east) of the main altar, where the
Eucharistic offering (prothesis), or sacrifice (zhertva) is prepared during
the first part of the liturgy.  Prothesis also refers to the table, or
credence, on which the offering is prepared.
         Russ. riznitsa = diakonikon, or diaconicon:  area or room in the
sanctuary to the south (right as one faces east) of the main altar where
vestments (rizy), liturgical vessels and books are kept, tended usually by
a deacon (d'iakon).
         Russ. nef = nave:  the central E-W aisle or part of the interior
of a church, at the eastern end of which is the altar and main apsida
(apse:  semicircular or polygonal eastern end of the nave; and side aisles
sometimes end in apses as well).
         Russ. soleia = the area in front of the iconostasis, frequently
raised above the level of the nave.  The middle part of the solea in front
of the royal doors, or tsar gates (tsarskie vrata) is called in Russian the
amvon (ambo).
         Russ. kliros = that part, or parts of a church where the divine
service is sung.  The choir (khor) -- sometimes two or more choirs -- may
stand to the sides of the solea, or on a balcony, or raised gallery or two,
variously at the back end (west) of the nave or over the wings of the
transept (the main cross aisle running N-S at right angles to the nave and
in front of the iconostasis, soleia and ambo.
         Terms are not always used with precision.  "Sanctuary" may refer
to the entire eastern end of the church, including the soleia in front of
the iconostasis.  "Tribune" may refer to (1) a balcony or gallery inside a
church from which the choir(s) may sing, or (2) all or part of the raised
eastern end of a church, especially the soleia.
         To answer your question more directly, I would ordinarily use
Russ. "altar'" and English "sanctuary" for the area behind the iconostasis.
         Hope this helps without overwhelming.
         Those who may pass behind the iconostasis include hierarchs,
priests, deacons, lectors (readers), and other persons in the employ of the
church such as janitors and bakers of the altar breads, although passing
through the royal doors themselves is a special function and privilege
typically limited to hierarchs, priests and deacons.  Others would
typically pass through the north and south side doors, if the iconostasis
has them.

Jack Kollmann
CREES, and this year  Dept. of Art History and Dept. of Religious Studies
Stanford University


At 06:33 PM 2/22/02 -0600, you wrote:
>Please, someone, tell me the Russian and English terms for the space behind
>the iconostas where only the priests are permitted to enter.
>laurengl at ptwi.net. Thank you.
>
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