The Nave and its furnishings

The Nave is the space between the Sanctuary and the Narthex. The shape of the Nave is square or rectangular, and in the larger Churches it is divided by, columns or pillars into three parts, called aisles. The middle aisle is larger and higher than the side aisles, and in the Churches which conform to the Byzantine style of architecture, the roof of this center aisle is formed by a rounded vault or cupola (dome) which symbolizes the heavens.

Today, as in ancient times, the Nave is that section of the Church set apart for the Christian laymen. It is the most beautiful and most impressive part of the Church. Its beauty and impressiveness comes, of course, from its size, shape and decoration.

The exquisite furnishings within the Nave also lend much to its beauty. The most important of these are the "proscinitarion" (the icon stand), the pews, the "polyelaei" (chandeliers), the solea, the amvon (pulpit), the bishop's throne, the bookstands, the "ceropegia" (candleholders or candelabra), the iconostasis or "templon," the oil candles and the portable icons.

The Icon Stand ("Proskinitarion") is an elegant piece of furniture at the entrance of the Nave, immediately after the Narthex, upon which the icon of the patron Saint of the Church is placed, To the right and left of this are large candleholders or candelabra where the Christians may light and place their candles. The worshippers, upon entering the Nave, light their candles, place them in the candleholders, make the sign of the cross and kiss the icon on the stand; thus its name, "proscinitarion"; proscinitarion comes from the verb "proscino," which means to bow and kiss with reverence.

Pews or Church seats, as we know them today, did not exist as such in ancient times. They were rather elaborate wooden seats along the walls of the Church, on a slightly elevated platform. They had collapsible seats which could be folded back when the congregation was required to stand. There are some hymns which are sung during the Orthros or Matins (the service before the Liturgy) whose names are associated with these seats. These hymns are the "cathismata" and the "catavassiae." When the "cathismata" were sung, the believers sat down; when the "catavassiae," they rose and stepped down from the small platform.

Today the seats in the Churches are usually common chairs or pews more or less luxurious, according to the financial means of the Church. In the Cathedrals, there are usually additional special luxurious seats for the officials of the community.

The Amvon or Pulpit is a luxurious piece of furniture, usually made of marble, located on the left side near the center of the Nave. - This is usually built up against and supported by one of the columns or pillars of the middle aisle. It is elevated and circular. Its highest part resembles a small circular platform to which one can ascend by a circular stairway. Around the sides of the pulpit there are usually icons: one of Christ in the middle section, and icons of the Evangelists to the right and left.

In the ancient Churches the Amvon was located in the middle of the Nave. It was larger and could be reached by two stairways, one on the east side and another on the west. The amvon in ancient times was used mostly by the chanters or the readers of the Holy Scripture. Later, in the days of St. John Chrysostom, the amvon was moved to the left side of the Nave and was used only by the clergy (priests and deacons) for the reading of the Gospel and for the sermon, as is done today.

The pulpit symbolizes the stone which was placed to seal the entrance of the tomb of Jesus; and as the angel, seated upon this stone, brought tidings of the Resurrection to the Myrophors (the women bearing perfumes), so is the pulpit used for the reading and preaching of God's word which is contained in the Gospels. This is why the pulpit is decorated with the icons of the Lord and the four Evangelists.

The Chandeliers (polyelaioi) are elegant circular fixtures usually made of bronze or crystal, suspended from the ceiling of the Church. They have many supported circular rows with candleholders in which lampads of wax are placed. Today the candleholders have been replaced, to a great extent, by electrical fixtures. Chandeliers are usually decorated with small angular crystals (prisms) through which the light is reflected, giving off interesting lighting effects.

Some Churches have only one chandelier which is suspended from the ceiling of the center of the Church. Others have as many as three and perhaps more. As a rule, the center chandelier is larger and more beautiful.

Their Greek name "polyelaioi" is derived from the words "poly elaion," which means "much oil." This is because, in the olden days, oil was used to light them.

Allegorically, the chandeliers represent the stars in the sky and the heavenly light which God the "Father of Light," sends down to the faithful together with His divine mercy and compassion.

The Solea (Platform) is the part of the Nave in front of the Sanctuary which is usually slightly higher than the floor of the Nave. "Solea" is a Latin word, meaning, "higher level" or "elevation."

The solea existed in all the large ancient Churches. Today some Churches still maintain it but usually separate it from the Nave with a railing. In some of the more modern Churches the solea is limited to a circular extension in front of the Holy Door (Oraia Pifi) of the Sanctuary.

Today, where this enclosure is maintained, it is used to perform special ceremonies such as weddings, baptisms, funerals, memorial services, doxologies, the ceremony of blessing the holy water, the ceremony of the removal of the body of Christ from the cross (the unnailing), and several others.

During ancient times the solea contained furnishings such as the emperor's throne, the bishop's throne and special seats for the officials of the parish.

Today, the more important pieces of furniture to be found in the solea or in that deeper part of the Nave, are the bishop's throne, the analogia (bookstands) and the manualia (candle stands). In some Churches the pulpit is also in the solea, and in some others the stand of the Church choir is found here, either on the right or the left side.

The Bishop's Throne is usually made of marble or carved wood and is set on the right side of the solea.

This throne is set apart for the bishop or the archbishop who is considered to be the head of the Church and represents Jesus Christ. Therefore, the icon of Christ, as high priest, is set into the inner part of the throne. This throne is used by the bishop or the archbishop during the Church ceremonies and the Divine Liturgy.

The Greek name for this throne is "Despoticos Thronos" or "Despoticon." In ancient times, as in the Church of Agia Sophia, such a throne was also used to seat the Byzantine Emperor, who was then called "despot," meaning ruler. During that time the emperor's throne was set on the right side of the solea while the bishop's was on the left. Later, when the emperor's throne was moved into the center of the Nave or entirely eliminated, the throne of the bishop was set on the right side of the solea, maintaining the same name 4s the emperor's throne, namely, "Despoticos," which had been used previously.

The Analogia (bookstands) were first introduced when the pulpit was removed from the center of the Nave and began to be used only for the reading of the Gospel and for the sermon. In the beginning, the analogia were two small elevated stands or tables to the right and left of the solea, near the iconostasis, and were used by the readers and chanters of the Church.

Today, the analogia are elegant wooden pieces of furniture. They are used by the Church readers and chanters as a stand for their ecclesiastical books.

The Churches of Greece today have such analogia. They usually have two: one on the right side of the solea for one chanter and another on the left for the other chanter. In some of the Orthodox Churches of America there is only one such bookstand and that is at the right side of the solea or at the choir's stand.

Manualia or Keropigia (large candleholders or candelabra). There are two manualia in front of the iconostasis, one on the right and another on the left side of the solea. One or two can also be found near the proscinitarion at the western part of the Nave.

Manualia are used as holders for candles and lampads which are lighted by the believers as symbols of their devotion to God and their respect to the Saints of our Church.