THE NAVE

The Nave is highly decorated and has extensive use of royal colors and a hierarchical plan of icon arrangment. The church edifice itself represents the universe and the ceiling, heaven.

The highest point, the dome, has an icon of the Pantokrator (Ruler of Everything) painted on it representing Christ looking down through heaven upon the parishioners, hearing their prayers, and showing His ever-presence in the universe. On the four corners of the dome are the four Gospel writers: Mathew, Mark, Luke and John. This is an expression that through their writings, the word of Jesus will be spread to the four corners of the earth.

On the front wall, or the sanctuary wall (apse), a large painting of the Theotokos (Mother of God) holding Christ is painted above the holy table. Its purpose is to express the incarnation. It is a visual expression of Scripture:

"Today a Savior is born to us; a Child was born to us, and a Son was given to us."

The elevated front part of the Nave is the solea. It is the space where all the sacraments and processions take place. The throne of the Bishop and the stand for the chanters (the analogion) is located to the right. To the left, the pulpit or amvon is located where the Gospel is read in the Divine Liturgy and sermons are given.

The Iconostasis (Icon Screen) separates the Nave from the altar on the solea. It separates the holy of holies from full view of the worshipper, representing the mystery of God who can never be fully understood by man.

The icon screen has three (3) doors. The Center door is called the Royal Door; only clergy can pass through the Royal Door. It is the passageway to the altar upon which the Sacrament of Holy Communion takes place, and where the Priest presents the precious Body and Blood out to the congregation. On it adorns Christ with the inscription, "The Good Shepherd" in Greek. The arch of the Royal Doors have two angels depicting Christ's ascension to Heaven. On the left and on the right of the Royal Door, are two doors of the icons Archangels Michael and Gabriel representing guardians to the Gates of Heaven.

Facing the icon screen on the right of the Royal Door is the icon of Jesus Christ, He sat at the Right Hand of the Father. Next to Him is always the icon of Saint John the Baptist, who Baptized Him. On the left side of the Royal Door is the icon of the Virgin Mary holding Jesus Christ. Next to Her on Her right is the icon of the Saint or the event to which the Church is dedicated.

At Saint John's are the following icons on the icon screen from left to right: St. Basil, the Archangel Michael on the left deacon's door, the icon of the epiphany, the Theotokos, the icon of Christ the High Priest on the Royal Doors, the icon of the Life-Giving Christ, St. John the Baptist, the Archangel Gabriel on the right deacon's door, and St. Demetrios.

Directly above these icons are the portraits of the 12 disciples, and on top of the Icon screen is the sign of the Cross.

The remaining portion of the Nave is where the Faithful sit in prayer. The balcony overlooking the Nave in the back occupies the choir.