Importance Of Memorial Tables And Church Banners

Memorial tables and church banners are two very widely recognized pieces of Orthodox furniture. Both of them serve very different purposes and have very different structures. Let us look at each of these items in detail.

Significance of church banners

Church banners originated as a visual means of declaring the resurrection of Jesus Christ, through which salvation of the world and victory over death has been secured. On on hand, church banner was a replica of the processional images which the Roman legions were carrying on march. On the other hand, they originate from processing the Holy Arch in the Old Testament. In any instance, the icons on the church banners symbolize the presence of the Saints depicted on those icons with the believers. Over time church banners became a medium of declaring to the world what the church is celebrating. One can find church banners in various colors and sizes and with the images of Jesus Christ, or the cross, or other saints, depending upon the occasion.

Different types of church banners

The first variety when it comes to church banners is with respect to color. While red and gold are the most commonly found combination of colors on church banners, green, purple-blue, etc., are also available in the market and used widely in Orthodox churches. The next variety is with respect to the size. Depending on who is carrying the church banner, they are available in smaller ones for children and bigger ones for adults. The most important variety is with respect to the material – velvet and brass are the most commonly used materials in making church banners.

Significance of memorial table

Memorial tables are used in the memorial services held by the Orthodox Church to remember the dead. Candles are placed on the memorial tables as a symbol of reverence and remembrance. It is a symbol of remembering the ones who have passed away and celebrating what their life taught the living.

Different types of memorial tables

Memorial tables come in different sizes, are made of different materials, and have various capacities for holding candles. One can find memorial tables that can hold from 40 to 60 candles, depending on the need. A traditional Orthodox church memorial table is made of the following materials – plywood that is water-resistant, stainless steel overlaid with Titanium Nitrine, brass, chasing, casting, enamel, and velvet, amongst others.