What is our understanding of the sanctuary of the church?

The answer

The sanctuary is related to the altar in Orthodox Churches to such a degree that the sanctuary can sometimes be referred to as “the altar.” Such a correlation reveals a vital aspect of our faith, namely, the close connection between heaven and the Cross; for the sanctuary represents heaven by which we know the sacrifice of the Cross.

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty

Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malaty, Catechism of the Coptic Orthodox Church, Volume 1, Books 1–3. First English Edition, 2023. Published by St. George Coptic Orthodox Church, Sporting, Alexandria, and Queen St. Mary & Prince Tadros Coptic Orthodox Church, South Brunswick, NJ. Copyright © 2023. Translation and Editing: Youth of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the USA, Canada, Europe, Australia, Arabian Gulf, and Egypt.