Inside a Byzantine Church
Why there is a wall of icons before the altar, what the Royal Doors mean, and why Communion is given with a spoon.
Inside a Byzantine Church there are screens in front of the altar, they take communion with a spoon, and they sing all throughout the Litrugy. Why are there so many differences between Latin Rite Mass and Byzantine Rite Divine Liturgy? Let’s find out with this lesson on what exactly is inside each Byzantine Rite church. I’m your host Shalone Cason and let’s begin in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
A wall of icons
This is a wall that separates and at the same time unites the sanctuary and nave.
— Christ – Our Pascha 600
The sanctuary, where the altar stands, is an image of heaven. The nave, where the people stand, is an image of the world we live in. The iconostasis stands between them. It reminds us that heaven is still beyond us, and at the same time it is covered with faces of Christ and his saints looking out at us. It is less a barrier than a window, and during the Divine Liturgy its doors open.
The doors to the Kingdom
The iconostasis is, as it were, the doors to God’s eternal kingdom.
— Christ – Our Pascha 601
The iconostasis has three doors. In the middle are the Royal Doors, also called the Holy Doors, with icons of the Annunciation and the four evangelists. On either side are the Deacons’ Doors. When the doors open during the services, they show that God opens heaven to us. The priest and deacon come out through them to bring us the Gospel and Holy Communion.
Christ and his Mother
The sacred image, the liturgical icon, principally represents Christ.
— Catechism 1159
To the right of the Royal Doors is the icon of Christ, holding the Book of the Gospels and blessing. To the left is the Mother of God, holding the Christ Child and pointing to him, showing us the way. Above the doors is the Mystical Supper, the Last Supper, and higher still are the great feasts of the year. Read together, the iconostasis tells the whole story of our salvation.
Communion with a spoon
with a spoon, the priest gives the faithful the most pure Body and precious Blood of Christ for the cleansing from sins.
— Christ – Our Pascha 646
The catechism explains the spoon with a scene from Isaiah. The prophet sees God’s glory and cries out that his lips are unclean. An angel takes a burning coal from the altar with tongs and touches his mouth: “now that this has touched your lips, your wickedness is removed, your sin purged.” In the same way, Christ comes to our lips in Holy Communion to cleanse and heal us.
One mystery, many forms
The mystery of Christ is so unfathomably rich that it cannot be exhausted by its expression in any single liturgical tradition.
— Catechism 1201
The iconostasis, the Royal Doors and the spoon are not decorations or oddities. Each one teaches something about heaven, about Christ, and about what happens when we receive him. A Roman Catholic church teaches the same faith in its own way. Both traditions come from the apostles, and together they show more of Christ than either could alone.
So what’s inside a Byzantine-Rite church? There’s a wall of icons called an iconostasis, and each icon brings us closer to Christ. There are holy doors in the iconostasis that allow entry into communion with the Gospel and the body and blood of Christ. Byzantine Catholics receive the Eucharist with a spoon, instead of from a chalice and host. That was our lesson in a nutshell. I hope you learned something. I’ve been your host, Shalone Cason, and until next time, stay holy, my friend.
Check your understanding
Your answers stay on your device.
- What does the iconostasis do, according to the Byzantine catechism?
- The doors in the middle of the iconostasis are called the ____ Doors.
- Where is the icon of Christ on the iconostasis?
- In the Byzantine tradition, the faithful receive the Body and Blood of Christ together from a spoon.
- Why does the Church have more than one liturgical tradition?
Image credits
- Isaiah and the Angel - Catholic Coloring Page, The Free Catholic Gallery (The Free Catholic Gallery (sdcason.com), Public domain (per the gallery))
Sources
- Christ – Our Pascha: Catechism of the Ukrainian Catholic Church, 600–604, 646
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1159–1162
- Isaiah 6:1–8 (NABRE)
- Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1200–1206
Written and narrated by Shalone Cason, who chose the topic, selected the points, and reviewed every line. Researched and drafted with AI assistance (Claude) from the sources above. Every quotation is checked word for word against its source.
