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Cultural Project Report - Ritual Observance

 

            The location of the traditional service takes place in the main sanctuary of the church, and there is an upper balcony and a lower stage level. On the lower level, all of the pews are organized into a large pentagon, with the upper point of the pentagon being the entrance to the lower sanctuary. The entrance to the sanctuary consists of five ornately decorated, double glass doors. The carpet on the floor of the whole sanctuary and on the floors of the upper balcony is maroon red and provides a homey feeling to the sanctuary, and makes you feel welcome. There is a distinct difference between public and sacred space. The public space is designated by mahogany built pews for the church and non-church members to sit in. Also there is a small, carpeted step area for the children to come and sit on when it is time for children's time with the minister at the front of the sanctuary. The upper balcony is also designated public space for people attending the church service. .
             The sacred area is designated as the stage in front of the sanctuary with the altars and where the candles burn surrounding the stage. There is a gold cross that is brought in every traditional service and placed in a holder in the center of the stage on a wooden table, signifying Christ in the center of our lives. A focal point is created by the way the pews are set up in a pentagon, and how the sanctuary walls are also in the shape of a pentagon which brings everyone's attention to the center stage, where the service is conducted. In terms of behaviors there are really no differences in the way people act in the sanctuary, it is a very uniform behavior of respect and observance. .
             Symbols and images are very relevant in the church and play a very big role in how they make the audience feel and respect the area they are in, and the symbols around them. There are huge stained glass windows that cover the upper ceilings and walls around the sanctuary, with the beginning stained glass being Jesus born in Bethlehem, and the last stained glass window being Jesus crucified on the cross.


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