Ambon

The Ambon (Amvon, or Ambo), in an Orthodox church building, is the space immediately in front of the Royal Doors. It is the place where the Gospel is normally read and the sermon is given. In many churches, the ambo has one or more curved steps between it and the lower part of the nave. The entire elevated place in front of the Iconostasis is called the solea. 
==Holy space==
Even though it is part of the nave, the Orthodox faithful laity are careful not to casually stand on the Ambon. They only stand there to receive the Holy Mysteries. If they need to walk from one side of the soleas to the other, they step down from soleas, rather than walking across the Ambon. 
==Episcopal ambo== 
In a cathedral there is usually a low platform in the center of the nave called the episcopal ambo or sometimes the Kathedra. This is where the bishop is vested prior to the Divine Liturgy and where he is enthroned until the Little Entrance. If the bishop is serving in a simple parish church, an episcopal ambo is set temporarily in place.
==Ambo table== 
In some simple parish churches, when the episcopal ambo is not in place, an ambo table may be in the center of the nave. Other churches may just have a simple icon stand there. 
Category:Church architecture