Pulpit

Pulpit

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 speakers who stand at 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". [ [http://www.ghostproxy2.com/cgi/nph-ghost.cgi/000110A/http/www.fisheaters.com/churchbuilding.html#altar Inside your Church] from fisheaters.com] In other churches, the lectern, from which the Epistle is read, is located to the congregation's left and the pulpit, from which the sermon is delivered, is located on the right (the Gospel being read from either the center of the chancel or in front of the altar).

Protestantism

In some Protestant churches, the pulpit is considered the most important piece of furniture in the sanctuary. It is situated central to the congregation and raised. It is where the minister stands and may be decorated with a 'pulpit fall'- a piece of cloth that covers the top of the pulpit and hangs down the front. Flowers may also stand in front of the pulpit.

In the eighteenth century triple-decker pulpits were often introduced in English speaking countries. The three levels of lecterns were intended to show the relative importance of the readings delivered there. The bottom tier was for community announcements, the middle for the gospel, and the top tier was reserved for the delivery of the sermon.

In many Evangelical Christian 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 of worship. In more contemporary evangelical 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.

Ambo

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. [ [http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01382a.htm Catholic Encyclopædia: Ambo (in the Russian and Greek Church)] ]

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.

Gallery

References

ee also

*Bimah
*Bema
*Lectern
*Minbar


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  • Pulpit — • An elevated stand to preach on Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006. Pulpit     Pulpit     † C …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Pulpit — Pul pit, a. Of or pertaining to the pulpit, or preaching; as, a pulpit orator; pulpit eloquence. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Pulpit — ist der Name folgender Personen: Martin Pulpit (* 1967), tschechischer Fußballspieler Pulpit steht für: Pulpit (Wisent), einen Wisentbullen, der 1964 und 1965 in Polen berühmt wurde, weil er durch Südpolen zog Diese Seit …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Pulpit — Pul pit, n. [L. pulpitum: cf. OF. pulpite, F. pulpitre.] [1913 Webster] 1. An elevated place, or inclosed stage, in a church, in which the clergyman stands while preaching. [1913 Webster] I stand like a clerk in my pulpit. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • pulpit — {{/stl 13}}{{stl 8}}rz. mnż I, D. u, Mc. pulpiticie {{/stl 8}}{{stl 20}} {{/stl 20}}{{stl 12}}1. {{/stl 12}}{{stl 7}} pochyła płytka na wysokiej nóżce lub wbudowana w fortepian, pianino albo inny instrument, służąca jako podstawka do nut : {{/stl …   Langenscheidt Polski wyjaśnień

  • pulpit — early 14c., from L.L. pulpitum raised structure on which preachers stand, in classical L. scaffold, platform for actors, of unknown origin. Also borrowed in M.H.G. as pulpit (Ger. Pult desk ). Sense of Christian preachers and ministers generally… …   Etymology dictionary

  • pulpit — [pool′pit, pul′pit] n. [ME pulpet < L pulpitum, stage, scaffold (in LL & ML, pulpit) < ?] 1. a) a raised platform or high lectern from which a clergyman preaches in a church b) preachers collectively c) the work of preaching 2. a raised or… …   English World dictionary

  • pulpit — pulpít, pulpíte, s.n. (reg.) 1. mobilă cu partea de sus în formă de plan înclinat, folosită pentru scris, citit, desenat; pupitru. 2. bancă şcolară. 3. sertar de masă. 4. suport special, cu piciorul înalt, cu suprafaţa înclinată, pe care se aşază …   Dicționar Român

  • pulpit — pùlpīt m <G pulpíta> DEFINICIJA 1. pov. u antičkom Rimu, svako uzvišeno mjesto za javne nastupe 2. kat. a. u kršćanskoj bazilici, prostor za pjevanje ili tumačenje liturgije b. u srednjovjekovnoj Francuskoj i Njemačkoj, drveni pult na kojem …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • pulpit — [n] structure from which sermon is given desk, lectern, platform, podium, rostrum, soapbox*, stage, stump*; concepts 368,443 …   New thesaurus

  • pulpit — ► NOUN ▪ a raised enclosed platform in a church or chapel from which the preacher delivers a sermon. ORIGIN Latin pulpitum scaffold, platform …   English terms dictionary

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