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Left Side of the candle boot.
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The right side of the candle boot.
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The narthex is an entrance area to Saint
Nectarios church, located at the western end of the nave. At the opposite (eastern) end of the nave is the altar.
The narthex may sometime consist of two parts, an exonarthex (outer narthex) that forms the outer entrance to the
building and parallel to it another part called the esonarthex (inner narthex) that opens into the nave.
Traditionally, this vestibule or narthex serves as a buffer
between the world and the Kingdom as represented by the church building
proper. There are also certain rites which are conducted in this part of
the church, such as the exorcisms which precede the sacrament of Baptism,
the betrothal (engagement
announcement) at weddings, and in some Orthodox
communities the prayers of fortieth day churching after birth. On designated occasions certain Vesper prayers and rites are also celebrated here.
Most often in esonarthex area,
the faithful offer a brief prayer, buy a candle and then enter the nave to venerate the icons prior to joining the congregation.
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The
icon of Holy Virgin Theotokos on the left side
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Icon of
Saint Nectarios on the right side
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The Main Entrance
that divide the narthex and nave
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