The Beautiful Gate, also known as the Royal or Holy Doors, stand between the Nave and the Sanctuary in an Orthodox Church. They serve as both as separation and a point of contact between these two areas of the Church. These doors depict the Annunciation — the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Theotokos to tell her that she will conceive and bear Christ, as well as the four evangelists, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.
These Royal Doors are part of the iconostasis at Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox Church in Boise, ID.
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“A strong defense for the downtrodden art Thou, Immaculate Mother of God, a sure help, the redemption and foundation of the world, origin of grace and source of divine wisdom, the protection of the whole world. We faithfully sing Thy praises and have thankful hearts for Thy radiant protective cloak: Filled with joy, rejoice, the Lord is with Thee, the Lord, who through Thee hast bestowed plentiful grace on the whole world.” — Hymn for the Feast of Pokrov
The feast of the Protection of the Mother of God (Pokrov), celebrated October 1st, commemorates a vision of Andrew the fool for Christ, in which the Mother of God stepped through the Royal Doors of the Blachernae Church in Constantinople and began praying. After a long time spent in prayer, She held her mantle and sash over the people in the church, granting them her protection. This icon if very common among the Slavs.
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O Birthgiver of God, in giving birth you retained virginity, and in your falling-asleep you did not forsake the world. You are the Mother of Life and have passed into life, and by your prayers have delivered our souls from death. — Troparion for the Dormition
This icon was painted for the Sts. Cyril and Methodius Chapel at Camp Nazareth.
Thou wast transfigured on the mountain, O Christ, our God, showing to Thy disciples Thy glory as each one could endure. Shine forth Thou on us, who are sinners all, Thy light ever-unending. Through the prayers of the Theotokos, Light-Bestower, glory to Thee.
(Dismissal Hymn Grave Tone)
Feast day August 6
This icon was donated to Holy Transfiguration Antiochian Orthodox mission in Boise, ID as a wedding gift to Matthew’s bride, September 2009.
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Troparion (Tone 8)
- Blessed art You O Christ Our God
- You have revealed the fishermen as most wise
- By sending down upon them the Holy Spirit
- Through them You drew the world into Your net
- O Lover of Man, Glory to You!
Kontakion (Tone 8)
- When the most High came down and confused the tongues,
- He divided the nations;
- But when he distributed the tongues of fire
- He called all to unity.
- Therefore, with one voice, we glorify the All-holy Spirit!
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Pentecost
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Troparion (Tone 4)
- O Christ God, You have ascended in Glory,
- Granting joy to Your disciples by the promise of the Holy Spirit.
- Through the blessing they were assured
- That You are the Son of God,
- The Redeemer of the world!
Kontakion (Tone 6)
- When You did fulfill the dispensation for our sake,
- And unite earth to Heaven:
- You did ascend in glory, O Christ our God,
- Not being parted from those who love You,
- But remaining with them and crying:
- I am with you and no one will be against you.
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Ascension
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Troparion (Special Melody)
- Christ is risen from the dead,
- trampling down death by death,
- and upon those in the tombs bestowing life!
Hypakoe
- Before the dawn,
- Mary and the women came and found the stone
- rolled away from the tomb.
- They heard the angelic voice:
- “Why do you seek among the dead as a man the One who is everlasting light?
- Behold the clothes in the grave!
- Go and proclaim to the world: The Lord is risen!
- He has slain death, as He is the Son of God,
- saving the race of men.”
Kontakion (Tone 8)
- Thou didst decend into the tomb, O Immortal,
- Thou didst destory the power of death!
- In victory didst Thou arise, O Christ God,
- proclaiming “Rejoice” to the myrrhbearing women,
- granting peace to Thy apostles,
- and bestowing resurrection to the fallen.
Paschal hymn to the Theotokos:
- The angel cried to the Lady Full of Grace: Rejoice, O Pure Virgin!
- Again I say: Rejoice! Your Son is risen from His three days in the tomb!
- With Himself He has raised all the dead! Rejoice, all you people!
- Shine! Shine! O New Jerusalem!
- The Glory of the Lord has shone on you!
- Exalt now and be glad, O Zion!
- Be radiant, O Pure Theotokos, in the Resurrection of your Son!
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Pascha
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Troparion (Tone 2)
- When You did descend to death, O Life Immortal,
- You did slay hell with the splendor of Your Godhead,
- And when from the depths You did raise the dead,
- All the Powers of Heaven cried out,
- O Giver of Life, Christ our God, glory to You!
Kontakion (Tone 6)
- He who shut in the depths is beheld dead,
- Wrapped in fine linen and spices.
- The Immortal One is laid in a tomb as a mortal man.
- The women have come to anoint Him with myrrh,
- Weeping bitterly and crying:
- “This is the most blessed Sabbath
- On which Christ has fallen asleep to rise on the third day!”
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Holy_Saturday
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Troparion (Tone 1)
- By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion,
- You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God!
- Like the children with the palms of victory,
- We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death;
- Hosanna in the Highest!
- Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!
Troparion (Tone 4)
- When we were buried with You in Baptism, O Christ God,
- We were made worthy of eternal life by Your Resurrection!
- Now we praise You and sing:
- Hosanna in the highest!
- Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!
Kontakion (Tone 6)
- Sitting on Your throne in heaven,
- Carried on a foal on earth, O Christ God!
- Accept the praise of angels and the songs of children who sing:
- Blessed is He that comes to recall Adam!
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Palm_Sunday
Troparion (Tone 1)
- By raising Lazarus from the dead before Your passion,
- You did confirm the universal Resurrection, O Christ God!
- Like the children with the palms of victory,
- We cry out to You, O Vanquisher of death;
- Hosanna in the Highest!
- Blessed is He that comes in the Name of the Lord!
Kontakion (Tone 2)
- Christ the Joy, the Truth and the Light of all,
- The Life of the World and the Resurrection
- Has appeared in His goodness to those on earth.
- He has become the Image of our Resurrection,
- Granting divine forgiveness to all!
http://orthodoxwiki.org/Lazarus_Saturday
The Beautiful Gate, also known as the Royal or Holy Doors, stand between the Nave and the Sanctuary in an Orthodox Church. They serve as both as separation and a point of contact between these two areas of the Church. These doors depict the Annunciation — the appearance of the Archangel Gabriel to the Theotokos to tell her that she will conceive and bear Christ, as well as the four evangelists, St. Matthew, St. Mark, St. Luke, and St. John.
