Q&A Home > L > Divine Liturgy During the Divine Liturgy service, is it true that the acolytes serving at the altar are at one point to use feather fans to fan the offering? If so, when and exactly how are the acolytes supposed to do it? Also where can the appropriate type of fans be purchased or made? Those fans, usually made from ostrich or peacock feathers, are called Flabellum. They symbolize the Cherubim present during Divine Liturgy; and are used during the cherubic hymn "Holy Holy Holy...etc." They are also used to make sure no flying insect would fall into the chalice or touch the sanctified utensils.
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