nave, central and principal part of a Christian church, extending from the entrance (the narthex) to the transepts (transverse aisle crossing the nave in front of the sanctuary in a cruciform church) or, in the absence of transepts, to the chancel (area around the altar).
What are the different parts of a church service called?
It usually contains two main parts, the praise (Christian music) and the sermon, with periodically the Lord’s Supper. During worship there is usually a nursery for babies. Prior to the worship service, adults, children and young people receive an adapted education, Sunday school, in a separate room.
What are the three parts of the church?
the Church Triumphant, which consists of those who have the beatific vision and are in Heaven. These divisions are known as the “three states of the Church,” especially within Catholic ecclesiology.
What are the four parts of the church?
The words one, holy, catholic and apostolic are often called the four marks of the Church.
What are the wings of a church called?
Transept: Sometimes called the ‘Crossing’, the transept forms wings at right angles to the nave.
What is the stage called in a church?
The place the pastor speaks from is the pulpit. But what do we call the place where the pulpit and musicians and choir are located? Generically, it’s called the stage. In strictly church-specific terms, it’s called the chancel.
What is the vestibule of a church?
A vestibule is a little area just inside the main door of a building, but before a second door. You often find vestibules in churches, because they help keep heat from escaping every time someone enters or exits.
Is the altar at the front or back of the church?
The altar, centrally located in the sanctuary, is to be the focus of attention in the church. At the beginning of the Roman Rite of Mass, the priest first of all reverences the altar with a kiss and only after that goes to the chair at which he presides over the Introductory Rites and the Liturgy of the Word.
What are church rooms called?
Also known as a sacristry, a vestry is a room or building attached to a church, in which ceremonial clothing and objects are kept. The word is also sometimes used to describe a committee of church members. Houses of worship tend to include many rooms outside of the holy sanctuary, or the gathering place for worship.
What is the central aisle of a church called?
The nave (/neɪv/) is the central part of a church, stretching from the (normally western) main entrance or rear wall, to the transepts, or in a church without transepts, to the chancel.
What are the parts of an altar?
Day of the Dead: 5 Essential Elements of the Altar
- White Tablecloth and Salt. Most altars have a simple white table cloth, often one that has been passed through generations, covering the different levels.
- Cempasuchil Flowers.
- Copal Incense and a Cross.
- Food and Drink.
- Portrait.
What is the altar called in a church?
The altar itself in such a church may be referred to as either the Holy Table (Greek Ἁγία Τράπεζα) or the Throne (chu Prestól).
Where is the aisle in a church?
In church architecture, an aisle (also known as an yle or alley) is more specifically a passageway to either side of the nave that is separated from the nave by colonnades or arcades, a row of pillars or columns. Occasionally aisles stop at the transepts, but often aisles can be continued around the apse.
Which way does the altar face in a church?
Within church architecture, orientation is an arrangement by which the point of main interest in the interior is towards the east (Latin: oriens). The east end is where the altar is placed, often within an apse.
What is the upper balcony in a church called?
A pew (/ˈpjuː/) is a long bench seat or enclosed box, used for seating members of a congregation or choir in a church, synagogue or sometimes a courtroom.
What is the difference between a pulpit and a podium?
At its most basic, a lectern is something one stands behind, usually to read something or speak about something while a pulpit is the same thing but exclusive to religion. A podium is something one stands on, a raised platform, like a conductor or for a performance. It can also be architectural.
What is the dome on top of a church called?
Cupola. A relatively small, most often dome-like, tall structure on top of a building. Often used to provide a lookout or to admit light and air, it usually crowns a larger roof or dome.
Why do churches have spires?
spire, in architecture, steeply pointed pyramidal or conical termination to a tower. In its mature Gothic development, the spire was an elongated, slender form that was a spectacular visual culmination of the building as well as a symbol of the heavenly aspirations of pious medieval men.
What is narthex or vestibule?
A narthex is similar to a vestibule, but a vestibule is generally a passageway between the outside and inside of the building, while a narthex is a passageway that specifically leads towards the nave, particularly in early Christian and Byzantine basilicas and churches.
What is an entrance vestibule?
A vestibule is a small, enclosed entry chamber that traditionally has served as a buffer in winter between indoors and outdoors, to trap air and minimize heat loss. Vestibules today also help keep air-conditioned air inside and hot air outside in summer.
What is the wall behind the altar called?
In altarpiece. The term reredos is used for an ornamental screen or partition that is not directly attached to the altar table but is affixed to the wall behind it. The term retable simply refers to any ornamental panel behind an altar.
What is the basement of a church called?
A crypt (from Latin crypta “vault”) is a stone chamber beneath the floor of a church or other building.
What is the chancel of a church?
chancel, portion of a church that contains the choir, often at the eastern end. Before modern changes in church practice, only clergy and choir members were permitted in the chancel.
What is a hall in a church?
(tʃɜːtʃ hɔːl ) a building near to or attached to a church suitable for social gatherings.
What is a Catholic Church building called?
A cathedral is a church, usually Catholic, Anglican, Oriental Orthodox or Eastern Orthodox, housing the seat of a bishop. The word cathedral takes its name from cathedra, or Bishop’s Throne (In Latin: ecclesia cathedralis).
What is the layout of a Catholic Church?
The entryway to the church is the narthex; the church portals are located here. The nave, or center aisle is an elongated rectangle and pews are located to each side. During processions, ceremonies or masses, people walk up the nave to the altar. The crossing is where the transepts and nave intersect.
What is the difference between Alter and altar?
Share. Altar: Altar is a noun meaning an elevated place or structure for religious rites. Alter: Alter is a verb meaning to make different. Example Sentences: He placed the book on the altar.
What is the difference between altar and temple?
They were different from both religious temples and from palaces directly used for human existence. Altars in residences or gardens could be regarded as a para-religious building, while a temple, in most cases, has the meaning of a memorial hall.
What is chancel mean?
Definition of chancel
: the part of a church containing the altar and seats for the clergy and choir.
What is a pool pit?
a platform or raised structure in a church, from which the sermon is delivered or the service is conducted. the pulpit, the clerical profession; the ministry. members of the clergy collectively: In attendance were representatives of medicine, the pulpit, and the bar.
What do you call the benches in a church?
Pew – wooden seats or benches in the church.
What is aisle side?
Definition of side aisle
: one of the lateral aisles of a building (such as a church, basilica, or theater) as distinguished from the central aisle or nave.
Why does the priest face east?
Priests in the patristic era almost universally faced east, the direction of rising sun, during the eucharistic prayer, anticipating thereby the glory of Christ’s return to earth.
Do all church altars face east?
For those who do not have the time to immerse themselves… the answer is yes, churches do face east , but not perfectly and the discrepancy varies with location. The average ‘error’ is only 4 degrees, which is pretty good.
What is a sermon in church?
Definition of sermon
1 : a religious discourse delivered in public usually by a member of the clergy as a part of a worship service. 2 : a speech on conduct or duty. Other Words from sermon Synonyms Example Sentences Learn More About sermon.
What are the three parts of the church?
the Church Triumphant, which consists of those who have the beatific vision and are in Heaven. These divisions are known as the “three states of the Church,” especially within Catholic ecclesiology.
What is the area in front of the altar called?
In church architecture, the chancel is the space around the altar, including the choir and the sanctuary (sometimes called the presbytery), at the liturgical east end of a traditional Christian church building.