WOOD CARVING

The Holy Altar is separated from the Main Temple by the Templo, which was formed gradually.

The Templo in early Christian basilicas consisted of small cones and marble or wooden shields. Later the large images were added, doubled in height, and the Twelve, so it took its present form. Temples are hand-made elaborate wood-carved carvings. The Holy Step and the main temple are connected by three doors, the Oraia Pyli (Central Gate), through which only the ministers enter and leave, always dressed in the Holy Vestments, the North and the South gate.

As we are inside the Main Temple, we can see the Solea, which is the elevated part in front of the Sanctuary. The priest stands there to be watched by the people. Also at this point is placed the Baptismal Pool to perform the holiest mystery of Christianity. In several temples it is separated from the rest of the temple by railings or Corridors.

To his right is the Despotic, sculpted from hand-carved or hand-carved wood, i.e. the bishop's throne. In the first temples this throne was located inside the Sanctuary. The bishop of Milan Ambrosios ordered the emperor Theodosius to take the throne out of the Sanctuary. It was placed on the right and, opposite it, was the Throne of the Patriarch or the Bishop.

Opposite the Despotiko there is the Ambon, a raised step, adorned by the effigy of a dove, symbolizing the Holy Spirit. A clergyman goes up there to read the Gospel or to preach the word of God.
To the right and left, outside the Solea, there are the Analogia- Psalters, hand-carved wooden or aluminum constructions, where the psalters place the holy books.

The faithful are standing in the Main Temple. It is the place where they remain during the holy services. It is the largest of the three areas of the temple and is mostly covered by wooden seats. The seats are separated from the central aisle leading to the sanctuary with Aisles in hand-carved wood or brass or aluminum.

In several churches there are also Secular Pews or Singers' Pews with two or three seats, wooden engravings or carvings are the seats that are located around the walls of the church. The seats and especially the Cosmic Stasidia, which are joined to the side walls, symbolize the tomb of each believer, through which he will be resurrected in Christ at the Second Coming.

Other possessions of the main church are the Holy Epitaph, which is usually framed on the northern wall. This is the precious gold-embroidered cloth, which represents the Divine Imposition and is placed on Saint Friday in the flower-adorned holy canopy for pilgrimage to the Epitaph. Vault that houses the bank with the Epitaph, which is on the floor of the canopy, and has handles for carrying it. The canopy represents the Tomb of Christ and is made either of aluminum with elaborate designs or is a hand-carved wooden structure. Since the afternoon of the previous day it has been decorated with flowers. The Epitaph is often sprinkled with flower petals and rose water and ceremonially incensed as a sign of respect.

Approaching the entrance of the temple, we find the Narthex or Pronaos, where the catechists used to stand, that is, those who had not yet been baptized, but were attending catechism classes. Today in the narthex in the western part of the main church are the Pilgrims, the Pagaria of the church with the candles and the Manuals for lighting the candles and lamps for the prayers of the faithful.

The Pilgrims are wooden thrones, on which are placed sacred images, mainly of the honored Saint of the temple, for the faithful to worship and pray upon entering the temple.

In the same place there are the special Manuals - Candlesticks in which the faithful light their candles. Candles symbolize the soul. As the candle radiates and dispels darkness, so the soul must radiate spiritual and moral purity.

In addition, in the same area, the Pagaria and Philoptocha of the church are placed, where the faithful deposit their obol for the charity of the parish, for the food, the donations of the church and the strengthening of the church.