Orthodox Glossary · Term

Ripidia (Fans)

Metal or wooden fans carried near the altar, often depicting seraphim, symbolizing the unseen presence of angels attending the Eucharistic mystery.

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Ripidia (Fans)
LexiconOrthodox Christianity 101
§ 01 - How to Study This Term

From definition into prayer.

The Orthodox tradition does not separate vocabulary from worship. Pair this term with Scripture, the Liturgy, and the lived life of the Church.

  1. 01
    Look for the word in worship

    Listen for it inside the Divine Liturgy, the daily prayers, or the hymns of the feast it belongs to.

  2. 02
    Trace it through the Fathers

    The same word usually echoes across centuries - Athanasius, the Cappadocians, Maximus, Gregory Palamas.

  3. 03
    Pair it with a prayer

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Where the term lives
§ 02 - Related Terms

Words that travel together.

Entries from the lexicon that share the same corner of Orthodox worship and thought as Ripidia (Fans).

GlossaryAltarThe sanctified table at the heart of every Orthodox temple, where the Eucharistic sacrifice is offered and the faithful encounter the heavenly throne of God made present on earth.GlossaryAerA large veil used to cover the chalice and paten during the Divine Liturgy, representing the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit and the hidden mystery of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist.GlossaryAer CoversThe coordinated set of veils that cover the holy vessels on the altar, signifying reverence for the Eucharistic gifts and recalling how sacred realities are veiled in Scripture and worship until revealed in Christ.GlossaryExapostilarionA hymn typically sung near the end of Matins, often highlighting the light of Christ’s resurrection and sending the faithful forth with joy.GlossaryKandiliAn oil lamp kept before icons or in the altar, burning continuously as a sign of prayer, vigilance, and the presence of the Light of Christ.GlossaryProcessional BannerA banner carried in liturgical processions depicting holy images, proclaiming the faith publicly and uniting the faithful in visible worship.
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