www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Ripidions or Seraphim Fans

Christ is risen! Indeed, He is risen!

This is to those who have the ripidions and use them. In the Byzantine Daily Worship book, it specifies in the rubrics of the Divine Liturgy of +St. John Chrysostom that the deacon will "fan" the holy gifts during portions of the consecration. If you do use the fan, when you fan the gifts, do you gently wave it up and down over the gifts, or just hold it stationary?

We are also using the fans to hold over the Holy Gospel during the Gospel reading. Do any other parishes do this?

Thank you.

In Christ,

Michael

The acolytes come out with the ripidion and hold them upright during the Gospel. Two other acolytes hold votive lamps on pole. I've only ever seen a deacon assist once at my parish. I don't know if he fanned the Holy Gifts.

Yes, lots of parishes use the fans over the Gospel Book and over the Holy Gifts. Please note: the plural of "ripidion" is "ripidia".

Incognitus

I've often wondered about any connection between the cherubim and seraphim "six winged, many eyed soaring aloft on their wings" mentioned in the Divine Liturgy, and the angels (Seraphim, I believe) that are iconographically represented on the ripidia and the two cherubim on top of the ark of the covenant in the tent of meeting. Ark of the Covenant [domini.org] Certainly a connection is to be made to the passage of Isaiah 6:1-5 Verse and Icon [comeandseeicons.com] .

That coupled with the large Menorah and the square holy table make for some interesting Old Testament connections.

Has anyone seen that connection to the ark made anywhere? If so, I would be interested in finding out where.

Gordo

Dear Friends,

What is the symbolism behind the use of the fans in both cases . . .

Alex

"The ripidia clearly have a practical function in their origin - to keep insects away from the Holy Gifts. They also have a symbolic-iconic reality. They bring honour to the Gospel when it is carried and read. They are also used to honour the Gifts when they are transferred from the Prothesis Table to the Holy Table.

David Kennedy, Protodeacon"

A search on google brought up this old posting.

ICXC
NIKA

Yes, my parish uses Ripidia the way it is outlined in the Byzantine Prayer Book. At two different times, one being the reading of the gospel, the altar servers "fan" on either side of the priest. We were told this tradition is to signify the angels hovering and guarding the gospel. I'm sure it is difficult for the servers during the longer readings, but it sure does add to the "mysticalness" of the Divine Liturgy. It's one of those traditions that once you experience it, going back to just holding it doesn't feel right. I hope all of you get to experience it!
Cathy

Χριστος Ανεστη!

Two Orthodox laymen have written a short and informative book called "Orthodox Worship: A Living Continuity with the Synagogue, the Temple and the Early Church" which is published by Light and Life.

An excerpt is available here [liturgica.com] which discusses among other things the use of the prototypes of the Ark and Bema in Christian worship spaces.

Andrew

Christ is Risen!

Generally this rubric (fanning the gifts with a ripidion) is not carried out in contemporary Orthodox usage. However, it is done after the ordination of a deacon. I have also seen it done, but only once, when there were multiple deacons serving (I think there were four deacons). In both cases, the deacon (or deacons) would make the sign of the cross over the gifts. When only one deacon is serving it should not be used because the rubrics have other actions for the deacon. I do not believe this would be an appropriate action for a sub-deacon - just my opinion, I may be wrong on that point.

One note - one must be very cautious when doing this action, because the ripidia tend to be heavy and the potential of inadvertantly knocking over the paten or chalice exists.

The ripidia can be used at other times. It was already noted about using them at the reading of the gospel. The fans can be somewhat lowered to be nearer to the gospel. (This looks very nice!) Certainly, they can be used at any entrance (little/great). They can also used at the the plashchenitsa (epitaphios), both at the tomb and during processions. They are also used at the bier over the relics of a bishop or priest.

There can be many other uses for the ripidia.

Priest Thomas
St Nicholas Orthodox Church

Christ is Risen!

The rapidia are properly used at the Gospel reading, but only if a priest or bishop is reading the Gospel.

Since the rapidia represent the angelic presence in the heavenly Kingdom, they are not used when the deacon is reading the Gospel. The deacon himself, with the orarion, represents the angelic presence.

It is also proper for the rapidia to be used in processions. In particular, the rapidia could be used during the Great Entrance. We do not use rapidia during the Small Entrance - the servers instead carry torches representing the Light of the World.

Other church processions, such as blessing Easter baskets, etc, may have the rapidia used.

Concerning any problem with the rapidia hitting some other sacred object, our servers are instructed to rest the rapidia on the ground when they reach their destination. It is really not a problem.

May you have a most blessed Paschal season,

Deacon El

Just a point of clarification - Deacon El may be referring to an Eastern Catholic tradition, but not the Orthodox, in a few points. Ripidia are properly used in the Orthodox tradition during the little entrance, as well as when a deacon reads the gospel.

Also, in reference to using them safely during the consecration of the gifts, I was obviously referring to the action of using the fans to make the sign of the cross over the gifts throughout the time from the consecration until the time of the clergy communion. This is the how the ripidia are used in that particular circumstance. This motion, if one is not careful, can cause an inadvertant accident of knocking the chalice or diskos over. Needless to say, the deacon should be careful to keep the fan at a safe level above the sacred gifts while constantly making the sign of the cross over them.

Priest Thomas

Thanks to each of you for your answers and support.

I am now able to even more fully appreciate the "ripidia" (thank you Incognitus).

When doing the actual fanning, is it fast and rapid, or slow and graceful? We hold the ripidia over the Holy Altar close to, but not directly over the Holy Gifts, from the north and south sides, so as to not interfere with our presbyter's consecration. Should the ripidia then be a "flutter" or a rapid motion in this situation?

Thank you and Happy Pascha!

Michael

P.S. Yes, they are heavy, but it is an honor to hold them!

There is a photo of the Protodeacon at St Elias reading the Gospel with the Ripidia clearly visible above his head. Everyone knows they are the absolute last word in correct how to do things, so they must be able to be used who ever is proclaiming the gospel. I assume it is the Gospel and not the reader they are there to honour.

ICXC
NIKA

From what I have been taught, the ripidia are not moved in a "fanning" motion, but rather as it is held over the gifts, you make the sign of the cross with it (sort of parallel with the holy table, but at an angle) over the gifts. This should be done reverently, not quickly.

Of course, there may be other traditions.

Priest Thomas