Ambon (liturgy)

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
An iconostasis with a rounded stone ambon of two steps (Beloiannisz, Hungary).

The ambon or ambo (

Holy Doors.[1]
It may be either rounded or square and has one, two, or three steps leading up to it.

History

Originally the ambon was an elevated platform, somewhat variable in location within the church (but typically found toward the center of the

Liturgy of St James. It is a development from the bimah in the Jewish synagogue
.

In the

Hierarchical services, the bishop will stand upon a raised platform (kafedra
) in the center of the nave like the bimah of old.

Originally used in both the East and West, the structure has almost disappeared in the

.

In the

Roman Catholic Church the stand from which the Gospel is read is formally called the "ambo" (not "ambon"). It is normally in the form of a lectern or pulpit, and located near the front of the chancel.[3]

Usage

Ancient ambon outside Hagia Sophia in Constantinople (Istanbul, Turkey)

The ambon is the platform from which the

Divine Services
.

The ambon is considered to be a part of the

Holy Table
(altar).

In some Greek Orthodox parishes, there is an ambo to the side (usually the Liturgical North, opposite the Bishop's throne) of the Iconostasis. It retains only a few of the functions of the ancient ambo, whereas the solea retains the other functions. The Epistle and Homily are read from this ambon (similar to a western pulpit), whereas the Gospel is read from the Solea. The practice of vesting the Bishop in the center of the nave is retained in parishes without chairs or pews. If the parish has chairs and pews, then the vesting of the Bishop occurs near the iconostasis, sometimes on the solea/ambon itself.

The last public prayer of the

Weddings, Funerals
, etc.) that called for a celebration of the Divine Liturgy. In some Orthodox Churches this more extensive collection of prayers is used.

Contemporary Greek Ambon, which is similar to the Western pulpit, and retains only some of the functions of the ancient ambon (Volos, Greece).

See also

References

  1. The Catholic Encyclopedia
  2. ^ "Ambo" definition, Answers.com.
  3. ^ "Chapter V: The Arrangement and Ornamentation of Churches for the Celebration of the Eucharist". General Instruction of the Roman Missal. United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. 2011.

External links