The '''AmbonAmbo''', also ''' (Amvon, ''' or Ambo)'''Ambon''', in is an architectural feature of an Orthodox Christian [[church ]] building.  Historically, the ambo was originally a raised platform in the middle of the [[nave]] of the church, from which the [[Holy Scripture|scriptures]] were read during the [[Divine Liturgy]] and where the [[bishop]] is vested prior to the Divine Liturgy. Also, it is where he is enthroned (remains) until the [[Little Entrance]] with the Holy [[Gospel]]. Today, this practice may continue, usually in churches without pews.  The last public prayer of the Divine Liturgy is the space "Prayer Before the Ambo". Originally, it was a prayer of thanksgiving said as the [[clergy]] descended the ambo at the end of the service. In ancient times, there was a large collection of Prayers Before the Ambo, written for the different [[feast days]] of the church year and for those occasional services, such as weddings and funerals, that called for celebration of the Divine Liturgy.[[Image:AmbonStNicDC.JPG|right|thumb|150px|Ambon off the soleas - St. Nicholas Cathedral, Washington, D.C.]]In the modern era, the raised platform immediately in front of the [[Royal Doors]]. It is part of the place where bema and forms a platform from which the [[deacon]] proclaims the litanies, from which the [[Gospel]] is normally may be read , and the [[sermon]] is and the dismissals are givenby the [[priest]] during the [[Divine Liturgy|Divine Services]]. In many churches As a projection of the bema, the ambo has Ambon may have one or more curved steps between it and the lower part floor of the [[nave]]. The entire elevated place bema in front of the [[Iconostasis]] is called the [[Soleassolea]]. ==Holy space==Even though it is part of the naveGenerally, only the Orthodox faithful laity are careful not to casually stand clergy and serving attendants walk on the Ambon. They only stand there to receive ambo except when the faithful may be receiving the [[Holy Mysteries]]. If they Otherwise persons who need to walk from one side end of the soleas solea to the other, they step down from soleas, solea to the nave floor rather than walking walk across the Ambonambo in front of the Royal Doors. ==Episcopal At those times that the ambo== In a [[cathedral]] there is usually a low platform in the center middle of the nave called the episcopal ambo. This church is where the not needed, an [[bishopicon]] is vested prior to the on a stand may be placed there for veneration. ==Sources==*[[Divine LiturgyWikipedia:Ambon_(liturgy)]] and where he is enthroned until the *[[Little Entrance]]http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01382a. If htm Ambo (in the bishop is serving in a simple parish church, an episcopal ambo is set temporarily in place.Russian and Greek Church)] ==Ambo tableExternal link== In some simple parish churches, when the episcopal ambo is not in place, an ambo table may be in the center of the nave*[http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01381e. htm Other churches may just have a simple [[icon]Ambo] stand there.