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>>>The only items allowed on the Eastern Altar are the Gospel, the Hand Cross, the Antimension and cloths, the Tabernacle
and the seven candled candle-holder that represents the Seven Sacraments.<<<

Slavic (indeed, Muscovite!) useage only. Greeks, apparently, are not so finicky, and so they will indeed allow the service books to be placed upon the altar, whereas the Russians will put an analogion next to the priest to hold it (in some places, an acolyte is assigned to hold the service book for the bishop in a hierarchical service).

The Menorah may have become associated with the Seven Sacraments, but since the formal enumeration of the sacraments as seven dates only to the Latin West in the time of Innocent III, this would appear to be secondary mystagogy (probably imported to the East via Kiev during or shortly before the time of Peter Mohila). In fact, we have the Menorah because it was part of the Jewish Temple, and we are the heirs of the Kingdom, the New Jerusalem.

>>>Their cassocks have a little pocket for them, or else they wear
a special holster when travelling.<<<

I always thought those little breast pockets were to keep the pectoral cross or panagia from falling in the soup. I doubt they were included originally in the garment, since the pocket is a rather late development in the history of clothing. Before then, such things would have been tucked into a belt, placed in a purse (aha! So that's what the Epigonation is for!), or into the sinus of one's sleeve.

Dear Stuart,

Interesting point on the Menorah. Yes, I agree that the interpretation as to the seven Sacraments or Mysteries is a later one.

I am proud of all our Judaic traditions in our Church and the Menorah is a beautiful one.

One thing I have always been intrigued by is the "horns of the Altar."

In the Christian Church, are these represented by the four corners of the Altar or were there actual "horns" on the corners as we know there were in the Temple and on other altars in ancient Israel?

Yes, our priests do have the little pocket in which to keep their pectoral Crosses. I would rather they have them out.

They have uncovered "holsters" for hand crosses in Ethiopia which are still in use and these are probably and most likely the earliest way they carried their hand crosses.

You should see the way our Ethiopian Orthodox Priests walk down the street near their Cathedral.

They wear a purple Tallis with white skull-cap and carry large brass hand crosses.

I also love the way they come into their Church.

As you know, one removes one's shoes, kisses the doorposts of the Church when entering and dons a Tallis and skull-cap.

I am getting one directly from Ethiopia and also a ceremonial umbrella.

I know all this isn't very intellectual, but it's what makes me happy .

God bless,

Alex

Jewish menorahs have places for nine candles, not seven. According to St. Nicholas Cabasilas the seven branched candle stick can represent the gifts of the Holy Spirit.

Multiple quotes...


You're half right. The standard menorah has seven branches. The Chanukah menorah (which may be used ONLY for celebrating Chanukah) has nine branches.


Yes, the altar of the ancient Temple DID have horns. In fact, holding onto a horn of the altar granted the holder the right of sanctuary, unless he was guilty of premeditated murder.


Do their tallitot have tzitziot (fringes)?


Interesting. Jewish homes have (or are supposed to have) a small box (mezuzah) that is attached at a 45-degree angle on each right-hand doorpost (except that of the bathrooms). The mezuzah contains passages from Scripture - the Shema ("Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One..., Deuteronomy 6:4-9") and Deuteronomy 11:13-21. The Name of God is written on the back of the parchment.

Every time a Jew passes through a door with a mezuzah on it, he/she is to touch the mezuzah, and then kiss the fingers that touched it.

Dear Alex,

In the Syrian Church, the four corners of the altar (always rectangular, by the way, at least for the main altar) represent the horns of the altar. Bishops, priests, and deacons enter the altar, and kiss its four corners, reciting a verse from the Psalms regarding the horns of the altar as they do so.