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In the Orthodox Church '''the Gospel Book''' ([[Greek Language|Greek]]: Εύαγγέλιον, ''Evangélion'') is very important liturgicallya central liturgical item. It is considered to be an [[icon]] of Christ, and is [[veneration|venerated]] in the same manner as an icon. == Placement in the Church ==
== Placement in the church ==
Traditionally, the Orthodox will never cover the Gospel Book in leather—the skin of a dead animal—because the words of Christ are considered to be life-giving. Animal skins are also reminiscent of the the Fall of Man, when God fashioned garments of skin for Adam and Eve after their disobedience [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%203:21;&version=9;(Genesis 3:21)]. The [[Apostle Paul]] speaks of Christ being the "New Adam" [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20corinthians%2015:22-49;&version=9; (1st Corinthians 15:22,47-49)], and the Orthodox understand Christ as coming to clothe mankind in the original "garments of light" which Adam and Eve lost in Paradise. Traditionally, the Gospel is covered in gold, the earthly element which is best symbolizes the glory of Heaven. If gold in unavailable, the Gospel may be covered in cloth.
The Gospel Book rests on the center of the [[Altaraltar]], as the [[Cross]] of Christ was planted in the center of the earth. This placement of the Gospel Book also represents the activity of Christ at the Creation (the square Altar representing the created world). The Gospel rests upon the [[Antimensionantimension]], which remains on the Altar at all times, as Christ will remain with the Church until the end of the world [http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2028:20;&version=9; (Matthew 28:20)].
*[http://en.liturgy.ru/photo/ryba.htm ''Photo of Paschal Liturgy''] ''(the Gospel Book can be seen lying on the [[Epitaphios (liturgical)|Epitaphios]])''
== Use During during the Liturgy ==
The [[Divine Liturgy]] begins with the priest lifting the Gospel Book high and making the sign of the cross with it over the Altar. The Gospel Book is carried in procession at specific times, accompanied by candles. The most frequent occurrence is during the Divine Liturgy when it is carried in the [[Small Entrance]]<ref>In the Greek usage, the processional cross and fans are used in the Small Entrance as well. With the Russians, the fans are usually only used when a Bishop is celebrating.</ref> which precedes the Epistle and Gospel readings. It is also carried in the Crucessions at [[Pascha]] and [[Theophany]]. After reading from the Gospel, the priest will bless the faithful with it. At Sunday [[Matins]], after the Gospel reading, all come forward to venerate the Gospel Book and receive the blessing of the priest or bishop.
== Use On Other Occassionson other Occasions==
== Lectionary Arrangementarrangement== The Gospel Book contains the readings that are used at [[MatinsOrthros]], the [[Divine Liturgy]], [[Molieben]]s, and other services. Among the Greeks the Gospel Book is laid out in order of the cycle of readings as they occur in the ecclesiastical year, with a section in the back providing the Gospel readings for Matins, [[Great Feasts of the Orthodox Church|Feasts]] and special occasions. In the Slavic usage, the Gospel Book contains the full text of the four Gospels in canonical order ([[Gospel of Matthew|Matthew]], [[Gospel of Mark|Mark]], [[Gospel of Luke|Luke]], [[Gospel of John|John]]), with annotations in the margins to indicate the beginning and ending of each reading, and a table of readings in the back. Occasionally it will contain pre-arranged texts of the more complex composite readings, such as the Twelve Gospels read at Matins on [[Holy Friday]].
== Source ==
[http[Wikipedia://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gospel_Book "Gospel Book",From Wikipedia]
== External Links links ==
*[http://www.holoviak.com/acatalog/Holoviaks_Gospels_and_Epistles_41.html Holoviak Gospels (King James and New King James Text, Slavic style Lectionary)]
*[http://ctosonline.org/liturgical/GL.html Gospel Lectionary (Byzantine Style) with the King James text]
[[Category:Texts]]
[[Category:New Testament]]
[[Category:Liturgical objects]]
