Royal Doors
DAN SANDU
The two, often elaborate, doors in the center of the iconostasis in Eastern Orthodox churches. They are called royal because
Christ the Emperor mystically passes through them, and because the Byzantine emperor entered through these doors together with the patriarch or a bishop prior to the start of the Holy Eucharist. They are a sign of the unity of the two Testaments which are the pathway to the Kingdom of God, the Holy of Holies represented in the church by the Sanctuary.
On the royal doors there is a diptych icon of the annunciation, which symbolizes the fact that this event opened the gates of Heaven to humanity. The four corners of the double doors feature medallions of Sts. Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, the authors of the gospel of Christ. Behind the doors there is often a velvet or cotton veil or curtain, which is opened and closed by being moved upward or to the side at specific moments during liturgical services. The royal doors are not used for regular access to the altar, and are only opened during the celebration of the mysteries, which offer redeeming grace and access to the heavenly kingdom. Only bishops and priests ever pass through them at designated moments in the liturgy. The doors are kept closed strictly outside religious ceremonies.
During the morning services the royal doors are kept closed until the Great Doxology as a reminder of man’s banishment from heaven for failing to observe God’s commandment. At the intoning of the Great Doxology – the hymn of praise based on the glorification by the angelic hosts of the nativity of Christ – the doors are opened to reflect the reopening of heaven following the coming of the Son of God into the world as a man and to proclaim the blessing for the start of the Holy Eucharist.
SEE ALSO: Diakonikon; Divine Liturgy, Orthodox; Iconostasis
REFERENCES AND SUGGESTED READINGS
Braniste, E. (2002) Liturgica Generala (General Liturgics). Galati: Editura Episcopiei Dunarii de Jos.
Florensky, P. (1996) Ikonostasis. Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press.
Taft, R. F. (2004) A History of the Liturgy of Saint John Chrysostom, Vol. 2: The Great Entrance. Rome: Pontifical Oriental Institute.
Plate 57 The seminarians’ chapel of Sergiev Posad Academy, near Moscow. Founded by St. Sergius of Radonezh, the monastery with its attached theological school is a center of Russian church life. Photo by John McGuckin.