The Holy Altar: The Throne of God.

The Holy Altar: The Throne of God

Upon first entering an Orthodox Christian Temple, one is generally overwhelmed by its extreme beauty and regal splendor. This is because our churches are constructed to be a “Palace” for our King: Jesus Christ. And because we desire them to reflect this fact, everything about a church, from its architecture and décor to the adornment and appointments, are designed to emote the glory, majesty, wonder, power, and authority of God. 

Next, one will undoubtedly notice that, like the tripartite division of the Hebrew Tabernacle and Jerusalem Temple, Orthodox Churches mirror their pattern with a vestibule, nave, and sanctuary or Holy Altar, located in the easternmost apse of the temple structure, behind the iconostasis and curtain. Thus, this area remains the locus and focus of Christian worship, and everything and everyone – including the clergy – are orientated in that direction during services, facing our Sovereign.

[Note: The word Orient means “east,” and according to the Canon of Scripture, Christ will return from the east, so this is the direction of our prayer in anticipation of that event. It is also the place of the rising sun, which reminds us that our Savior is the “Light of the world.”]

The location of the Altar is considered a sacred space. It can be likened to the Jerusalem Temple’s “Holy of Holies” where the Ark of the Covenant resided. And just as the Old Testament Ark emphasized, materialized, and sacramentalized God’s visible and doctrinal “presence” or “in-dwelling” (mishkan in Hebrew) among His people, the lid covering the Ark was known as the “Mercy Seat,” and symbolized from whence God reigned and wielded His transcendent power.

Obviously, we should not construe God’s “presence” to be something that can actually be contained or confined within a given space, nor is His power diffused or diluted throughout creation. The Holy of Holies was simply a very human attempt to honor and celebrate the fact that “God is with us.”

Within the context of the New Testament Church, the Altar Table, situated and fixed so prominently within the sanctuary, is transformed through the person of Jesus Christ replacing the Ark, all-the-while expanding upon that which is essential to our form of worship. Through Christ the Altar Table becomes the culmination or fulfillment as the rightful place to offer sacrifice. For if Christ is our King and the Church is His Palace, then naturally the Altar Table becomes the mystical residing place God’s of Presence: The Throne of God (o Thronos de Theou, in Greek).

As with any kingdom or monarchy, a throne is a seat of power – the highest place of authority in any given realm. It is a place from which a ruler reigns, acts on behalf of His people, and exercises justice. Yet, unlike earthly monarchs who are bound by time and territory, God’s throne represents His transcendent reign over the entire cosmos for all of eternity.

Therefore, upon this Throne, our Lord symbolically “rests” in the form of the Book of Gospels – the word of the “Word” or Logos. It is also the place where the Tabernacle is kept, which contains the reserve sacrament (Holy Communion) for when the priest needs to administer them in various situations or emergencies. Thus, in both instances, “God” resides upon His Throne of Glory.

Yet the most important aspect of this Altar/Throne is that upon it we serve and celebrate the apex of the mystery of our salvation: Divine Liturgy. It is the place to which we look, pray, and hope; to where we process, prostrate, position ourselves, and lift-up the “gifts;” it is where we offer the Eucharistic Sacrifice of Bread and Wine unto God; and where, by the divine, grace-filled action of the Holy Spirit, they become the very Body and Blood of Christ. 

Beyond its physical and historical significance, the Altar Table also holds a spiritual and symbolic role in the life of believers as a place of perpetual worship and point of contact with God, where humanity encounters and interacts with the divine; a place of communication and “communion” with God. Thus, this Throne represents in all aspects: Holiness, Mercy, Praise, Thanksgiving, Judgment, Justice, Entreaty, Surrender, Atonement, Truth, Renewal, and Healing. 

The Hebrew word for Altar is mizbeah, which means “to slaughter,” and in Greek it is thusiasterion, which means “a place of sacrifice” (thusia means sacrifice). Originally altars were the site of blood sacrifices, but since Christ offered Himself up on the Cross and died for our sins, He became the last blood-sacrifice for our atonement, and the New Testament Church now celebrates a “bloodless sacrifice,” the Eucharist, instituted by our Lord at the Last Supper, upon a new, pure, ideal Altar sanctified and consecrated for this purpose.

Because the Altar is such a sacred and respected area within the temple, no one without reason or purpose is allowed into the sanctuary, and those who do, are obliged to pray, fast, and prepare themselves before entering “with fear and trembling” – showing the greatest awe, respect and trepidation when they do.

Since God’s Throne is this “meeting point” and place of interaction between God and man, much like Moses’ encounter with God upon Mount Sinai, an important aspect of the priestly office is also that of mediator, which is why, “Every priest stands ministering daily and offering sacrifices” (Hebrews 10:11). Clergy dare to approach and stand before the Altar of God’s presence with extreme humility, yet also boldly, fulfilling the capacity of two vital roles within a parish community; for the priest, as one who is elected by the people to represent them before God, is also chosen by God to represent Him to the people. 

Obviously, there are numerous references throughout the Bible which depict both, Altars and God’s Throne. In the Book of Isaiah, the prophet experiences a heavenly vision in which he sees the Lord “high and exalted, seated on a throne, and the train of His robe filled the temple” (6:1), while in St. John’s Revelation, the altar is again depicted in a heavenly context: “Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, along with the prayers of all the saints, on the golden altar before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of the saints, rose up before God from the hand of the angel” (8:3-4).

This imagery underscores the altar as a place where prayers and worship ascend to God, emphasizing its spiritual significance in the life of the Church. Therefore, the Altar, the Throne of God, continues to be a powerful symbol of devotion, sacrifice, and covenant with our Sovereign and Creator. And one day, hopefully sooner than later, all nations will bow down before this King of kings and Lord of lords and “lay their crowns before the throne and say, ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they were created and have their being’.” (Rev. 4:10-11) Amen!

Archpriest John Memorich