www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Ripidia

Could someone explain the origin of the Ripidia and how and when it is used during services?

They were/are fans, aren't they?

Glory to Jesus Christ!
It is my understanding that these "fans", which now usually stand on each side of the rear of the altar where originally used by deacons and/or subdeacons to fan the gifts to keep the insects away. Now, they are basically used by some parishes for the little/great entrance processions, sometimes held on each side of the priest as he reads the gospel, and at other liturgical processions. In ancient days, they were a practical device to keep the holy gifts free of pests. Hope this info. is of help.
Dan

I think there was a longer thread on this subject some time ago. I hope it survived the crash, as (if memory serves) the posts there would make a good pamphlet.

The Ripidion is a liturgical fan, normally there are two. They often bear images of the seraphim and may have bells attached. Iconographically, they represent angels of the presence of God, and sybolize the heavenly court before God, attending the sacred action also here in the earthly Liturgy, as it is united with the eternal heavenly Liturgy.

Ripidia may be carried at the great entrance, held at the proclamation of the gospel and even at other times.

Their use varies in the Byzantine Churches from Athos (not at all) to America (every Liturgy).

Curiously, there is a remnant of them in the Western Church in the Papal Liturgy where the Flabellum (fans) were used until the II Vatican Council. Elsewhere in the West their use vanished, preserved only in the historical Papal Liturgy (and curiously, in the Carmelite Rite, Solemn Use.)

My priest said that historically there were used to fan the Holy Gifts to keep the flies and flying insects away. Now I wouldn't be suprised if he was half-joking because he said that with the Liturgical fly swatters they put angle icons on them and therefore became representation of the Holy Angels. In my parish we only use them for the Gospel Reading to keep the flies away from the priest's face
ukrainiancatholic

Where's Alex when you need him :rolleyes: Don

very very sadly gone - and sorely missed

Angela

I grew up in a Carmelite parish and attended their seminary for one year. Never saw Ripida there. Maybe in Italy???
Yes, they are ceremonial fans. Represent the many winged cherubim.

Dear Mike,

Yes, they were only used in the "Solemn" Carmelite Rite, and that was only used in a few of the old monasteries.

They were expensive, and large! I saw them in the Carmine in Naples, and I saw them "in storage" in Malta, where they still use them in Valetta for the Feast of Mt. Carmel. They are part of the "folk" story. I remember hearing of them being used at the international college in Rome "St. Albert's".

They were true fans, like the papal ones used to be, and were made of feathers!

Glad to hear of a Carmelite connection!

Elias

--------------------------------------

Dear Friends,

1. I hope Alex is not too sore, physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

2. I hope he wasn't hit by the ripidia.

3. He wasn't one of the pests we were trying to chase away.

4. But, we can have fun with him, even when he's not here!!!!! :p


Have a Blessed Day!

John
Pilgrim and Odd Duck :p

Hmm thanks for cheering me up

Perhaps it wasn't the ripidia [ actually never seen one - now I'm very curious ] but how about his own Ethiopian Prayer Umbrella ? :p

hehe
Angela

GLORY TO JESUS CHRIST!
GLORY TO HIM FOREVER!

Hello everyone!

Here in Baltimore, we have the Walters Art Gallery and they have an exquiste collection of religious artifacts from Ethiopia. Among the items in their collection is a Liturgical processional fan. When placed flat, it's a book of ikons of saints in the Ethiopian Church. On Great Feasts, the book is fold and forms a giant fan (almost 5 feet across) and this mounted on a long pole and carried during the Liturgical processions.

Makes you wonder about the origin of the rapidia in Byzantium don't it....



mark

Dear Angela,

I don't know how "needed" or useful I can prove to be, but here is my take on this.

The ripidia originated in hot climates, thus the Mt. Carmel connection.

(Fr. Elias, I wear the Brown Scapular and live the Carmelite spirituality - doesn't that earn me "Brownie" points with you? )

Used to ward off insects at Communion, they were also actually used as a form of air conditioning for the priest during the liturgy.

Ceremonial umbrellas in the Oriental Orthodox Churches were used to "keep the heat off" the clergy in the same manner (perhaps some RC bishops in the U.S. might be interested in adopting this practice today? ).

The manifest description of their role is to symbolize the action of the Holy Spirit in the liturgy, at the reading of the Gospel, the Consecration and other important events.

It would appear that both understandings, the practical and the spiritual, for the ripidia developed at the same time.

The priest and the deacon also engage in liturgical waving over the Chalice on the altar, but not with the ripidia.

We only tend to use ours now in processions.

I remember serving Mass in the Latin Rite at my Catholic high school.

Two fruit-flies fell into the Wine and drowned.

I told the priest about his and he did his best to get them out, but he botched that job and I don't want to get in to how it all ended up . . .

In short, the Latin Church can also use to bring back the ripidia.

Alex

<laughing like a drain>

Dear Angela,

Laughter is good for the soul!

Alex

[ 06-24-2002: Message edited by: Orthodox Catholic ]