Dikirions and Trikirions

The dikyrium and tricyrium are accessories of the archdiocesan divine service.

The dikyrium is a candlestick for two crossed candles, and the tricyrium for three. According to liturgical interpretations, two candles correspond to the two natures and wills of Jesus Christ, and three candles correspond to the three persons of the Holy Trinity. Between the candles of the dikyrium is placed the image of the cross as an indication of the Saviour’s sacrifice on the cross, but on the tricyrium this is not done, since, according to the teaching of the Church, the feat of the cross was performed by Christ as the God-man, and not by the Holy Trinity, which in turn accepted and sanctified the Saviour’s sacrifice on the cross.

During the various entrances to the bishops’ divine services, the lit tricyrium and dicyrium are reverently carried by the senior subdeacons (sometimes deacons); they also present them to the archpastor for blessing the worshipers with them. At other times during the divine services these sacred objects, as well as the Ripidion, stand on special stands in the high place in the altar