What is our understanding of the sanctuary of the church?
Q598 · The Mystery of the House of God
The sanctuary is related to the altar in Orthodox Churches to such a degree that the sanctuary can sometimes be referred to as “the altar.” Such a correlation reveals a vital aspect of our faith, namely, the close connection between heaven and the Cross; for the sanctuary represents heaven by which we know the sacrifice of the Cross.
1202 Alfred J. Butler, The Ancient Coptic Churches of Egypt, Volume 1 (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1884): p. 6.
1203 Catherine Zvegintzov, Our Mother Church: Her Worship and Offices (London: S.P.C.K., 1968): p. 9.
1204 Hugo Rahner, Greek Myths & Christian Mystery (London: Biblo & Tannen Booksellers & Publishers Incorporated, 1963): pp. 85ff.
1205 St. Hippolytus of Rome, Treatise on Christ and Antichrist 59 (ANF 5:218).
1206 Cf. St. Clement of Alexandria, Exhortation to the Heathens 12 (ANF 2:295ff).