The paraecclesias are consecrated in honour of a feast or a saint.
A paraecclesia may be consecrated in honour of two (or more) saints whose feast days are on different days – thus, such «chapel» (the paraecclesia) may have an Altar feast day several times during the year.
A. The shape of the church
The temple is usually constructed in several ways: cruciform to symbolize that the Church of Christ received life and strength through the Cross; as a circular edifice to indicate the eternity of the Church for there is no beginning nor an end in a circle; as a star (octagon) to express that the Church, like stars gives off the Light of Christ; and the elongated ship-type structure shows the Church to be like a ship which takes us through the sea of life to the harbour of eternal life.
a ship-type shape a circular edifice a cruciform edifice
The shape of the St. A. Rublev church together with the Bell-tower and the Refectory represents a basilica (ship-type) temple.
B. Domes (cupolas)
The roofs of the temples are adorned with cupolas or domes:
One cupola signifies the highest head of the Church, Christ Jesus Himself;
three cupolas tell us of the three hypostases of the Holy Trinity;
five cupolas express our Lord Jesus Christ and the four Evangelists;
seven cupolas symbolize the Seven Holy Mysteries, seven gifts of the Holy Spirit, or the seven Ecumenical Councils;
nine cupolas indicate the nine ranks of angels;
thirteen indicate Christ and His twelve Apostles.
The roof of the maim church of Electrostal is adorned one cupola. It signifies highest head of the Church, Christ Jesus Himself.
C. The Cross
The Cross, as the symbol of victory, adorns the uppermost pa
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