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Layout of a church: Difference between revisions
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'''Layout of a Church''' with focus on Catholic churches | '''Layout of a Church''' with focus on Catholic churches | ||
* this page is part of [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] | * this page is part of [[Catechism of the Catholic Church]] | ||
* related to | |||
** [[Catholic Mass]] | |||
** [[Priestly vestments]] | |||
== Parts of a Catholic Church == | |||
[[File:Old St Peters Basilica plan.png|thumb|Plan of Old St Peter's Basilica, showing atrium (courtyard), narthex (vestibule), central nave with double aisles, a bema for the clergy extending into a transept, and an exedra or semi-circular apse.]][[File:Transept1.png|thumb|Cathedral ground plan. The shaded area is the transept; the darker shading at the centre represents the crossing.]]see [https://stpaulrepository.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/rcia-06-the-church-what-is-in-a-catholic-church-building-by-fr-guy-de-gaynesford.pdf What's in a Catholic church building?] | [[File:Old St Peters Basilica plan.png|thumb|Plan of Old St Peter's Basilica, showing atrium (courtyard), narthex (vestibule), central nave with double aisles, a bema for the clergy extending into a transept, and an exedra or semi-circular apse.]][[File:Transept1.png|thumb|Cathedral ground plan. The shaded area is the transept; the darker shading at the centre represents the crossing.]]see [https://stpaulrepository.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/rcia-06-the-church-what-is-in-a-catholic-church-building-by-fr-guy-de-gaynesford.pdf What's in a Catholic church building?] | ||
== altar== | |||
=== altar=== | |||
* from Latin ''altare'' for "high place for sacrifice" | * from Latin ''altare'' for "high place for sacrifice" | ||
** perhaps from combination of ''adolere'' for "sacrifice by burning" | ** perhaps from combination of ''adolere'' for "sacrifice by burning" | ||
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* the altar is in the "sanctuary" and is where the "word of God" is proclaimed | * the altar is in the "sanctuary" and is where the "word of God" is proclaimed | ||
== ambo == | === ambo === | ||
* or "ambon" | * or "ambon" | ||
* commonly called "lecturn" | |||
*the raised platform from which the Liturgy of the Word readings and the homily are spoken | *the raised platform from which the Liturgy of the Word readings and the homily are spoken | ||
== apse== | === apse=== | ||
* rounded area at the back of the sanctuary | * rounded area at the back of the sanctuary | ||
* placed in the liturgical east end of the church | * placed in the liturgical east end of the church | ||
== catacomb== | === catacomb=== | ||
* "Sepulchral vaults" = underground burial tombs | * "Sepulchral vaults" = underground burial tombs | ||
* from Latin ''cata tumbas'' "among the graves" | * from Latin ''cata tumbas'' "among the graves" | ||
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*** derived from Latin ''cumbere'' "to lie: | *** derived from Latin ''cumbere'' "to lie: | ||
** unrelated to "catechism" | ** unrelated to "catechism" | ||
== cathedra == | === bema === | ||
* the raised area that encloses the sanctuary | |||
* sometimes used interchangeably with "sanctuary" | |||
=== cathedra === | |||
* the raised throne, or seat, for the bishop | * the raised throne, or seat, for the bishop | ||
* from Latin ''cathedra'' for "arm chair" | * from Latin ''cathedra'' for "arm chair" | ||
== '' | === chancel === | ||
* the enclosed area that marks the sanctuary of a church | |||
* from Latin ''cancelli'' for "grating," "bars" | |||
=== ''ciborium'' === | |||
* canopy, or tent-like structure, over the altar | * canopy, or tent-like structure, over the altar | ||
** supported by four columns | ** supported by four columns | ||
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** major churches in Rome and Constantinople built under Emperor Constantine used this structure to cover the altar | ** major churches in Rome and Constantinople built under Emperor Constantine used this structure to cover the altar | ||
** they were often covered with plaques or other decorations made of silver or gold | ** they were often covered with plaques or other decorations made of silver or gold | ||
* see [[wikipedia:Ciborium_(architecture)|Ciborium (architecture) - Wikipedia]] | |||
=== narthex === | |||
* the immediate area by the entrance to the Nave | |||
** might be called a "lobby" in secular terms | |||
* traditionally, the narthex marks the close space between the atrium (front courtyard) and the nave | |||
* may also be referred to as a "vestibule," which in Roman architecture was a lobby and entranceway | |||
=== nave === | |||
* the interior area of a church where the parishioners worship (w/ the pews) | |||
** as distinct from the "bema", which is the raised area upon which the alter resides | |||
* "nave" = "ship" in Latin | |||
** from PIE '''*nau-''' for "boat" (thus "navy" in English) | |||
=== niche === | |||
* a recess or built-in area along a wall | |||
** usually contains a statue | |||
** is usually dome-shaped at the top like an apse | |||
=== prie-dieu === | |||
* a kneeler placed before the altar | |||
=== sanctuary === | |||
* also called '''presbytery''' | |||
* the holy area of a church around the alter and where God resides | |||
** = the area reserved for the priests | |||
** it is sometimes marked off by a '''chancel''', which is enclosed by bars or grating | |||
=== tabernacle === | |||
* "sacred house" | |||
* the container for the Eucharist (the consecrated communion hosts) | |||
=== transept === | |||
* the horizontal cross portion of the church | |||
* the area of a cruciform (cross-shaped) church that marks the horizontal bar of the cross | |||
** i.e., if the church is laid out like a Cross, the transept is its horizontal bar | |||
* seating in the transepts is on either side of the sanctuary | |||
** referred to as the "left" and "right" transepts | |||
== Church orientation == | == Church orientation == | ||
=== Cruciform (church building) === | === Cruciform church (church building) === | ||
* a church laid out in the shape of a cross | * a church laid out in the shape of a cross | ||
** see "transept", which represents the horizontal bar of the cross | |||
=== Liturgical east and west === | === Liturgical east and west === | ||
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== Holy Water == | == Holy Water == | ||
* water that has been blessed by a priest | * water that has been blessed by a priest | ||
* small containers of Holy Water will be placed at the entrance to the Nave | * small containers of Holy Water will be placed at the entrance to the Nave | ||
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== Incense == | == Incense == | ||
* recollects prayers and indicates reverence | * recollects prayers and indicates reverence | ||
* made from the resin of certain trees | * made from the resin of certain trees | ||
** it burns slowly and emits sweet-smelling smoke | ** it burns slowly and emits sweet-smelling smoke | ||
[[Category:Religion]] | [[Category:Religion]] | ||