The narthex is an architectural element typical of early Christian and Byzantine cathedrals and churches, consisting of an entrance or lobby area at the west end of the nave opposite the main altar of the church.
What is the area in front of the church called?
The central, central, main part of the Christian church is the chancel (the area around the altar), in the presence of a transept (a side path crossing the nave in front of the cross-shaped church sanctuary) or transept from the entrance (narsex).
What are parts of a church called?
The nave is the main part of the church where the congregation (those who come to worship) sits. The aisles are the sides of the church and may run along the sides of the nave. The transept, if any, is the area across the nave near the top of the church.
What is the area in front of the altar called?
In church architecture, the Transept is the space around the altar that contains the choir and sanctuary (sometimes called Presbyterian) at the eastern end of the liturgy in a traditional Christian church building.
What are the 5 parts of the church?
The names of some of the churches are red after each number.
- NARTHEX.
- Facade tower.
- Nave.
- Aisle.
- Transept.
- Intersection.
- Altar.
- Asepsis.
What are the four parts of the church?
The words Holy, Catholic, Apostolic are often referred to as the four marks of the Church.
What is a church hall called?
Chapel. Noun. A separate room or area in a church where people can go to pray or worship in person.
What is a chapel or porch at the entrance of a church called?
Narthex, a long, narrow, enclosed porch, usually colonnaded or arcaded, that crosses the entire width of the church at its entrance.
What is the vestibule of a church?
The vestibule is a small area just inside the main door of the building, but before the second door. Often you will find vestibules in churches. This is because they help keep heat from escaping every time someone enters or exits.
What is the difference between a narthex and vestibule?
A vestibule is the passageway, hall, or room between the outside door and the interior of the building, while a narthex is the porch or lobby that connects the outside to the main worship area.
What are the two sides of the church called?
The Gospel side is the opposite side of the chancel where the Gospel is read. From the nave, facing the altar, it is on the left. In some places, the Gospel side is cited as the evangelist side, especially if the comments are based on Romance sources.
What is the chancel of a church?
The part of the church containing the choir, often at the east end. Prior to modern changes in church practice, only clergy and choir members were allowed in chancels.
What is the altar called in a church?
In the Book of Common Prayer, the foundation of Church of England doctrine and practice, there is no use of a specific word altar. The item in question is called the Lord’s Table or Holy of Holies. This remains the official term, but common usage may refer to the communion table as an altar.
What is chancel mean?
Definition of Chancel : A part of a church that contains the altar and seating for the clergy and choir.
What is the cross on top of a church called?
The pointed cone on top of a building is called a steeple, especially when it rises from the roof of the church. The roof of a church on the skyline of a city or on the top of a rolling hill in a village is sharply upward toward the sky. Many church steeples have a cross at the top.
What is the raised platform in a church called?
The pulpit in western church architecture is a high enclosed enclosed platform where sermons are preached during services.
Is the altar at the front or back of the church?
The altar, centrally located in the sanctuary, is to be the focal point of attention in the church. At the beginning of the Roman rite of Mass, the priest first pays homage to the altar with a kiss, which only goes to the chair where he presides over the rite of introduction and the liturgy of the word.
What is the meaning of a narthex?
Definition of NARTHEX 1: The colonnade of an ancient church. 2: The vestibule leading to the nave of a church.
What is a church facade?
The facade or “west front” is the most ornate part of the exterior with processional doors, often three in number, often richly decorated with carvings, marble, or stone traces. The facade often has large windows, sometimes with rose windows or impressive groups of carvings as central features.
What is the layout of a Catholic Church?
The entrance to the church is a narthex. The portal of the church is located here. The nave, or central aisle, is long and narrow and rectangular, with pews on both sides. During processions, ceremonies, or mass, people walk down the nave to the altar. The intersection is where Transepts and Nave intersect.
What holds the host in Catholic Church?
The host is placed in a holder called a lunette, which fits into an opening behind glass. The monstrosity is typically used during Eucharistic adoration, when the faithful come to pray to the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist.
What is another word for a vestibule?
On this page you will find 24 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions and related words for vestibule, including foyer, lobby, enclosed entrance, doorway, room, doorway, hallway, entrance, doorway, anticamber, waiting room.
What is an entrance vestibule?
A vestibule is a small enclosed intrusion chamber that has traditionally served as a buffer in winter between the indoors and outdoors to trap air and minimize heat loss. Today’s vestibules also help keep air in and hot air out in the summer.
What is another name for narthex?
Foyer, lobby, entrance hall, vestibule, abdomen, antechamber, hall and portico.
Why do church altars face east?
The first Christians faced east when praying, being a growth of the ancient Jewish custom of praying in the direction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Because of this established custom, Tertullian says some non-Christians thought they were worshipping the sun.
What are the parts of an altar?
Day of the Dead: Five Important Elements of the Altar
- White tablecloth and salt. Most altars have a simple white table cloth, often passing through generations and covering different levels.
- Cempasuchil flowers.
- Kopar incense and crosses.
- Food and drink.
- Portraits.
What is between the sanctuary and the nave of the church?
Narthex is on the other side of the church from the sanctuary and helps prepare us for the masses as we leave the external material world and enter the spiritual world of the nave. The word Narthex is Greek for “huge funnel.”
What is a church sanctuary?
sanctuary of the church. A sanctuary, such as a church, where fugitives were formerly immune from arrest (as recognized by English law from the 4th century to the 17th century).
What is the difference between Alter and altar?
SHARE. Altar: Altar is a noun, meaning a high place or structure for religious ceremonies. Alter: alter is a verb meaning different. Sentence example: He placed the book on the altar.
What does transept mean in English?
Alter: part of a cruciform church that crosses at right angles to the greatest length between the nave and the apse or choir. Also, any of the projecting ends of the transept.
What is the purpose of a rood screen?
The Rood screen was a physical and symbolic barrier, a symbolic barrier, from the nave, the area of the clergy, where they gathered to worship. It was also a means of seeing. Often it was solid to waist height and richly decorated with pictures of saints and angels.
What is difference between a chapel and a church?
Unlike a church, a chapel is a place of worship with no pastor, priest, or permanent congregation. It is all about the physical space. In the classical sense, it is usually smaller than a church (sometimes only a room) and can be in the church itself or in secular places like hospitals or airports.
What is the difference between a parish and a church?
The term “church” is the physical place of Christian worship, the structure in which sacred activities take place. The term “parish,” on the other hand, refers more to the Christian population within the church. It does not define a building or place of worship.
What is the area in front of the altar called?
In church architecture, the Transept is the space around the altar that contains the choir and sanctuary (sometimes called Presbyterian) at the eastern end of the liturgy in a traditional Christian church building.
What is the entrance of a cathedral called?
NARTHEX: The entrance or lobby area at the west end of the nave. Nave: the main area of public observance of the Mass. It is generally the largest space and is located between the Narthex and the Sanctuary.
What are the three parts of the church?
The Church is composed of people who have a vision of bliss and are in heaven. These divisions are known as the “three states of the Church,” especially in Catholic ecclesiology.
What is the table at the front of a church called?
The Lord’s Table (also called the Altar or Communion Table) usually occupies a prominent place in the church, often at the eastern end of the building. It is usually distinct from the rest of the church. Often by an altar rail placed in front of it.
What is a church hall called?
Chapel. Noun. A separate room or area in a church where people can go to pray or worship in person.
What are the ceilings in churches called?
In architecture, a vault (French vote from the Italian Volta) is a freestanding arched form, usually of stone or brick, that serves to cover a ceiling or roofed space.