Pulpit
For other uses of Ambo, see Ambo, Ethiopia, Kom Ombo, ambulance. A
pulpit (from
Latin pulpitum "scaffold", "platform", "stage") is a small elevated platform where a member of the clergy stands in order to read the
Gospel lesson and deliver a
sermon.
In many
Christian churches, there are two speaker’s stands in the front of the church. Typically, the one on the left (as viewed by the congregation) is called the
pulpit. Since the Gospel lesson is often read from the pulpit, the pulpit side of the church is sometimes called the
gospel side.
The other speaker's stand, usually on the right (as viewed by the congregation), is known as the
lectern. The word
lectern comes from the Latin word meaning "to read", because the lectern primarily functions as a reading stand. It is typically used by lay people to read the scripture lessons (except for the Gospel lesson), to lead the congregation in prayer, and to make announcements. Because the epistle lesson is usually read from the lectern, the lectern side of the church is sometimes called the
epistle side.
However, in many Protestant churches the arrangement is completely different. In traditional churches, the pulpit stands squarely in the center of the platform, and is generally the largest piece of church furniture. This is to symbolize the proclamation of the Word of God as the central focus of the weekly service. In more contemporary churches, the pulpit may be much smaller, if used at all, and is generally carried out after the end of the song service. However, it usually is placed in the center of the platform as well.
From the pulpit is often used
metaphorically for something which is said with official church
authority.
In churches where there is only one speaker's stand in the center of the front of the church, it serves the functions of both lectern and pulpit and is properly called the
ambo. In common usage, however, ambos are incorrectly called pulpits.
The word
ambo comes from a Greek word meaning an elevation. It was originally an elaborate raised platform in the middle of the nave from which the
Epistle and
Gospel would be read, and was occasionally used as a speaker's platform for
homilies. It was joined to the
sanctuary by a raised walkway called the
soleas. In modern
Eastern Christian use, this form of the ambo is now very rare. Instead, the area directly in front of the Beautiful Gates of the
iconostasis from which the Gospel is typically read is called the ambo, and the entire low elevation above the level of the
nave in front of the iconostasis is called the soleas. In larger churches, the ambo might be distinguished by three curved steps from which one might reach it from the nave.
In
Eastern Orthodox cathedrals there is usually a low platform in the center of the nave called the
episcopal ambo where the
bishop is vested prior to the
Divine Liturgy and where he is enthroned until the
Little Entrance. If the bishop is serving in a simple parish church, an episcopal ambo is set temporarily in place.
*
Bimah*
Minbar*
Pulpit orator*
Ambo (In the Russian and Greek Church) from the Catholic Encyclopedia
