Psalm 46:1-5
God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,
though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,
though its waters roar and foam, and though the mountains tremble in its swelling.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved;
God will help her when morning dawns.
Psalm 46 is the scriptural basis for Luther’s hymn, “A Mighty Fortress is our God.” Holy Cross reflects our trust and reliance on God.
Holy Cross Church was built in the traditional basilica style used by the Church since the 4th century A.D. The major parts of a basilica include a Narthex – the entrance, the Nave – the long body of the church, the Chancel, and the Apse. The basilica was originally a structure developed by the Romans for their courts of law. The court officials sat in the Chancel, administering justice. Later, during the imperial period, the emperor used the basilica as an audience chamber. The emperor’s advisors sat or stood by him in the Chancel. The modern term for the head of government in many countries is the word Chancellor, one who is in the chancel.
The Christian church adopted the basilica for churches for several reasons. First, the structure lends itself to public worship. Second, a church is God’s house, and Christians know Christ, our King, is present. The Christian altar is considered God’s throne. It was traditionally placed in the apse, a niche at the end of the chancel, which in the basilica’s secular use had a statue of the Roman emperor or pagan god. The Orthodox and Roman Catholic traditions had the priest conducting the mass in the chancel. A screen was placed between the chancel and the nave so that the mystery of the mass could be conducted by the priest alone. When the priests interacted with the congregation they physically moved into the nave. They even conducted the scripture readings in the nave. Services and homilies were presented from pulpits located inside the nave. During the
Reformation, great emphasis was placed on corporate worship. Lutherans opened up the chancel so the congregation could participate in the liturgy, moving the baptismal font and pulpit into the chancel. Proper administration of Word and Sacrament is interactive. The gospel message was brought to the people.
A Might Fortress throughout the years.
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