The chapel is the place we sometimes go to put candles, pass notes and attach to the icons. It is warm, calm, smells special. And I do not want to go back into the world, but nowhere to go - I have to.
In the article we will talk about what a chapel is.
I am
We are so used to our environment that we perceive it on the machine. Here is a thick oak. It costs as much as we remember. And here the neighbor constantly parks the car. If you leave the courtyard and go for a walk, we will pass by an old chapel. She’s been here for about 20 years. Sometimes we run into it to put candles and relax mentally.
But meanwhile, do we often wonder what its purpose is, what is a chapel? In the view of most people, this is a small temple where church utensils are sold. This view is erroneous. Outwardly, it is almost impossible to distinguish the chapel from the temple. But these are only external differences.
When a person enters the temple, what does he see? Who will answer this question? Icons, candle shop, decoration of the temple. What else? Directly opposite the doors, as a rule, what is located? Right, the altar. If we enter the chapel, then we will not see the Royal Doors and the altar there.
This is the main difference between the temple and the chapel. The absence of an altar means the absence of the Throne. The Eucharist is celebrated on the Throne.
Why is a chapel needed?
What is a chapel? The definition states that it is a structure similar to a temple in which there are no services. Stop. If it is impossible to serve the liturgy, then why is such a construction necessary? And why is it so strange called?
The name, most likely, comes from the word "clock". Anyone familiar with church services knows that the clock must be read before it begins. And any layman can do this.
And when asked why a chapel is needed, one can answer that akathists are read in it, a watch, water is blessed, if the chapel is located at the source, the deceased are buried. In general, any service can be performed here, except the Liturgy.
Cemetery chapel
What is a chapel in a cemetery, why is it needed there? As we said above, a deceased may be buried there. In cemetery chapels this is what they do. For the funeral, the throne is not needed, the priest performs this rite.
Also in the cemetery chapel, you can put candles for the repose of the soul, to submit the necessary commemoration (note, magpie, memorial service, lithium).
What chapels are
What is a chapel and why is it needed, we found out. In addition to cemetery chapels, there are the following:
- Monuments.
- The chapels are pillars.
- Standing in place of the temples.
Let's talk about each view in more detail.
What is a monument chapel? It can be erected by a specific person in honor of some memorable date for him. Or maybe a monument in honor of a historical event. This is thanks to God for His Grace.
For example, in earlier times, people tried to be thankful to God for all the events in their lives. And so there were chapels in honor of victories over enemies, in honor of the birth of children. John the Terrible built a chapel near Pereslavl-Zalessky. At the place where his son was born - Fedor Ivanovich.
At the entrance to many settlements, you can see small structures. They are very small, not to go there. Area 50 * 50 centimeters with a height of 2-3 meters. These are pillar chapels, they are erected at the consecration of the settlement.
And those chapels that were built on the site of the former temples are erected when there is no way to rebuild the church.
Another kind of chapel
It is called a relic. Faced the moment when you go into the temple, for example to the relics, and their location looks like a separate building? And then you start to puzzle what a chapel in a church is? Nothing unusual. This is normal practice. In such an “internal” chapel are church relics or relics.
Who can build a structure
What is a chapel, we found out. And who can build it and what is needed for this?
Any lay person (a person who lives in peace) can erect a chapel. To do this, take a blessing from the bishop. And it doesn’t matter if a "small temple" is being built for general worshipers or for themselves to visit. Yes, and this exists: the construction of home chapels, where only members of this family pray.
What is the difference between a chapel and a temple
We now know what a chapel is. Let's talk again about how it differs from the temple. We highlight the main differences in the list:
- The very first is the lack of an altar and a throne in the chapel.
- Therefore, the second point: it is impossible to perform the Divine Liturgy in it, for this requires the See.
- To build a temple, you need the blessings of the bishop. He himself lays a stone and holds a service at the place where the church should be built.
- For the construction of the chapel, only the blessing of the bishop is necessary. Then the person who wants to build it does everything on his own. You can even build a chapel in the courtyard of your own house, there would be a desire and an opportunity.
What can be ordered in the chapel
A strange question, someone will say. Everyone knows that you can put candles, submit notes, attach to the icons. Do you know that in the chapel you can still:
- Order a prayer service. As a rule, most of the chapels are assigned to temples. And a prayer service will be served directly in the temple.
- To order a requiem, magpie, lithium. Either they will serve in the church to which the chapel is assigned, or you can order in the cemetery.
- Submit a magpie about health.
- Fill in a note about your newly deceased and respected relatives. We will decipher that the deceased person is considered to be newly deceased before forty days have passed from the date of death. After the fortieth day he is already commemorated as simply deceased. Recognized - this person who has a memory day, birthday or name day. For example, if a relative died on February 1, every year that day he is remembered with the prefix "prislo". If the deceased, who died on February 1, has a birthday on May 24, then on this day he will also be remembered. Name day is a date in memory of the saint in whose honor the deceased was baptized. For example, the deceased was called Faith. So, she has a name day on September 30, and she needs to be remembered with the prefix "prisno."
How to enter the structure
An even stranger question. It’s clear that with a covered head, if we are talking about a woman. Yes, and there are a few more rules that must be observed when visiting the chapel:
- It is advisable for women to go inside while wearing a skirt. Do not forget that this is a small temple. And you can’t go to the temple in trousers.
- If you want to adhere to the icons, make sure that there is no lipstick or gloss on the lips.
- During the "uncleanness" (critical days) you can not put candles and apply to the icons. A note on this day can be submitted, as well as other requirements.
- Men enter the chapel without a hat.
- The stronger sex should be in trousers. Shorts are not allowed.
- In a state of intoxication, visiting the chapel is strictly prohibited.
- You need to behave properly. You can not make noise, talk loudly, laugh, use swear words. Yes, yes, and this comes to the present Orthodox. Today there are cases when visitors to temples and chapels express indecent words. The question is what is the use of visiting a holy place if a person does not honor God.
Summarize
- We found out that there is a chapel (pictured). We outline the main aspects of the article:
- The difference between the chapel and the temple is that it does not serve the Divine Liturgy. The throne and the altar are missing.
- Chapels are different. In the cemetery, the deceased are buried, there are chapels, monuments, there are "pillars".
- Anyone can build a "small temple".
- The chapels accept notes on health and repose, as well as other requirements.
- Here you can attach to the icons, put candles and pray.
- Chapel is a small temple. Therefore, you must enter it reverently, observing the rules of visiting the temple.
Conclusion
Readers now know what a chapel is, why it is needed, what requirements can be ordered there. And most importantly - how to behave in this building.
Recently, many structures can be found in various cities and villages. Passing by the usual chapel, stop for a second and cross yourself. And if possible - look inside. There will be no excess.