Seeking information

[rciadan]

Does anyone know of a good source, preferably something I can download and watch with my wife such as a video, that explains, not just the liturgy; but the actual church itself? I mean: what are the various parts of the church called and why are they there? What are those "Plates on sticks" (no disrespect intended, I really want to know what they are actually called) and why are they used? This is the kind of info I am looking for.

I will be attending ECC for adults soon. Sts Cyril and Methodius will begin adult classes later this summer. I just am curious now.

[Joe Kelley]

EWTN has a church tour for children. I haven't looked at it; just hit it by accident one day when I was looking for something else.

May be much less than you are looking for, but probably worth a quick look.

[Hesychios]

The 'plate on a stick' is a rapidia, a liturgical fan. Usually they have an image of a seraphim embossed or painted on. They were originally real fans, but in ancient times their use indicated someone or something important, so they would be used in processions and over important people (like kings), liturgically they could honor the Holy Gifts and be held over the Gospel book as it is being read publicly.

I have seen parishes where they are apparently not used at all, but seem to have become some kind of decoration. Perhaps that is not the case, but one could get that impression. This video shows them in use....

The Latin term for it is flabella, but as far as I am aware they have gone out of use in the west centuries ago.

[rciadan]

Originally Posted by Hesychios

The 'plate on a stick' is a rapidia, a liturgical fan. Usually they have an image of a seraphim embossed or painted on. They were originally real fans, but in ancient times their use indicated someone or something important, so they would be used in processions and over important people (like kings), liturgically they could honor the Holy Gifts and be held over the Gospel book as it is being read publicly.

I have seen parishes where they are apparently not used at all, but seem to have become some kind of decoration. Perhaps that is not the case, but one could get that impression. This video shows them in use....

The Latin term for it is flabella, but as far as I am aware they have gone out of use in the west centuries ago.

Thank you! At Sts Cyril and Methodius they are used at every liturgy, and two are used to cover the Eucharist when the priest is breaking the bread.

[John of Patmos]

Originally Posted by Hesychios

The 'plate on a stick' is a rapidia, a liturgical fan. Usually they have an image of a seraphim embossed or painted on. They were originally real fans, but in ancient times their use indicated someone or something important, so they would be used in processions and over important people (like kings), liturgically they could honor the Holy Gifts and be held over the Gospel book as it is being read publicly.

I have seen parishes where they are apparently not used at all, but seem to have become some kind of decoration. Perhaps that is not the case, but one could get that impression. This video shows them in use....

The Latin term for it is flabella, but as far as I am aware they have gone out of use in the west centuries ago.

The Armenians have bells on their Liturgical fans. Is this the same with the Greeks?
I wish we Latins used them. Weren't these the ostrich feather fans?

[Hesychios]

Originally Posted by John of Patmos

The Armenians have bells on their Liturgical fans. Is this the same with the Greeks?

I have never seen bells, I suppose that is a local variation.

Originally Posted by John of Patmos

I wish we Latins used them. Weren't these the ostrich feather fans?

It think they mostly started out as bird feather fans in ancient societies. Grasses or reeds would work too. Fans were common in hotter climates to provide shade and make a breeze, as well as shoo away insects. It is not surprising that many cultures would use them, and that they would be employed in liturgical celebrations. All that would be necessary for worship would be decorating them in ways that they don't just look like ordinary street gear.

I think umbrellas have been used in the same way, but less commonly. If I had to guess I'd say umbrellas were more likely to have originated in rainy climates and fans in sunny climates. One can see umbrellas in religious processions of different cultures (Ethiopia and Malabar coast would be two I remember), and I think there is a Latin umbrella too.

Over time they these appliances have taken on a lot of symbolism. Certainly a community could worship without them, but they are employed to help signify the glory of the divine in our presence, so it's nice to have them.

[dzheremi]

Here they are in use by the Syriac Orthodox Indians, in a manner consistent with Hesychios' description. As you can see, they have bells along their sides, just like the Armenians. This may be an OO thing. I don't know because Copts don't use liturgical fans.

[5Loaves]

Originally Posted by rciadan

Does anyone know of a good source, preferably something I can download and watch with my wife such as a video, that explains, not just the liturgy; but the actual church itself?

It's not video but I think actually Wikipedia has a lot of very useful information about Divine Liturgy with links to all kinds of details.

There are lots of videos on different related topics on OLTV

Also "Who are Eastern Catholics?" with Fr. Maximos of HRM PART 1 and PART 2.

"Eastern Catholic Theology" with Fr. Abbot Nicholas of Holy Resurrection Monastery PART 1 and PART 2

Fasting in the Byzantine Church Year and Feasting in the Byzantine Church Year with Fr. Moses ("Monk Moses" here in CAF)

In each of these you can click on the " (more info)" below the video window to bring up a list of all the questions Catherine asks in each segment.

Eastern Christian Media has a few videos you might find worthwhile.