¿Ëªñ¤Ñ¥D¹ï§Ú¬O¦h»òªº¬ü¦n(µú73:28a)

¯d¨¥ ©úªáºÖ¶Ç¨Æ¤u «ü«n

MS Word, 28K

The Functions of Icons

In the left-hand side of the altar inside the Orthodox temple, there is a table called the Table of Oblation where the prosphora, bread, wine, and water are placed. Prosphora is Greek word meaning "offering". Jesus said to the disciples, "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirstÉ"(John 6:35). Jesus proclaimed Himself as the "Bread of life". These words of Christ sustain the congregation and give strength to all that listen, read, and understand their meaning.

The early Christians brought wine and bread to Church as their offerings, and Priest will consecrate them in the liturgy and received by the faithful as communion. Jesus is called the "Lamb of God" because He was sacrificed for us and to save us. The lamb in the Jewish ritual described in Leviticus 23:9~12 was the offering to YHWH as well as atonement for transgressions of the people.

These offerings to God become a community offering in the form of prosfora, material offerings to churches, as well as the offerings of human talents to the Church.

Nowadays, in Orthodox churches, the church member usually brings the prosfora to the churches. The prosfora is a baked loaf of bread made by them. Before the "baker" baked the bread, they stamp the bread by using the prosphoron seal.

After stamped, a large cross surrounds the followings letters and symbols: Greek letters "IC XC" and "NIKA" in nine rows from the ceiling to the bottom, two letters AV combines in line on the left wing, and nine triangles in three rows on the right wing of the cross. The abbreviation letters ICXC in Greek mean Jesus Christ, (I, C stands for the first letter and the last letter of Iesouj and X, C stands for the first and the last letters of Cristoj ), and "NIKA", the Greek word Nika means victory. Therefore, IC XC, and NIKA means "Jesus Christ triumphs or conquers (over death). AV symbols Theotokos, the bearer and the Mother of Christ. The nine triangles represent the Apostles, Saints and Martyrs of the Church.

The church members prepare the prosfora, wine, water, paten, Holy Chalice, asterisk, sponge, spoon, two small covers and one large cover on the Oblation Table.

The first part of Divine Liturgy is Liturgy of Preparation. When it starts, priest approaches the Table of Oblation in front of the congregation. He holds the prosfora with his left hand and the Lance in his right hand. While reciting prayers, the prosfora and Lance are elevated with his hands. The Priest holding both the Lance and prosfora in the elevated position now makes the sign of cross. Again, praying, the sign of cross is then made with Lance and prosfora over the Oblation Table. The sealing bread is called the Lamb of God and the central of portion of the prosfora that will be consecrated and used for the communion of the faithful.

After reciting three times "In remembrance of our Lord and our God and Savior Jesus Christ", priest will cut out the rest of the prosforon. In this part, we will note that pthe central position of the cross that is stamped by the seal and lettered in the prosforon will be used for communion.

°ÝÃD? ½Ð»P©úªáÁpµ¸¡C.