What is a narthex in architecture?
narthex, long, narrow, enclosed porch, usually colonnaded or arcaded, crossing the entire width of a church at its entrance.
What is the meaning of a narthex?
Definition of narthex 1 : the portico of an ancient church. 2 : a vestibule leading to the nave of a church.
What is narthex and vestibule?
As nouns the difference between vestibule and narthex is that vestibule is (architecture) a passage, hall or room, such as a lobby, between the outer door and the interior of a building while narthex is (architecture) a western vestibule leading to the nave in some (especially orthodox) christian churches.
What are the parts of a church building called?
The nave is the main part of the church where the congregation (the people who come to worship) sit. The aisles are the sides of the church which may run along the side of the nave. The transept, if there is one, is an area which crosses the nave near the top of the church.
What does a narthex look like?
The original meaning of a Christian church narthex is a porch on the west end of a church just outside the nave. Many times the narthex is covered or even inside the church building rather than an outside porch, though it can be that, as well.
What is the main entrance of the church called?
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 happens in the narthex?
A narthex was originally used as a gathering place for people to hear the sermon who were not allowed in the nave. Today, they are used more for a place to gather and visit, or used for more formal events such as rites and prayers to prepare one to enter the nave.
What is the front entrance of a church called?
narthex
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).
Where does the word narthex come from?
Etymology. The word comes from narthex (Medieval Latin from Classical Greek narthex νάρθηξ “giant fennel, scourge”) and was the place for penitents. In Modern Greek narthekas (νάρθηκας) no longer has this meaning and is either the porch of a church, as English, or the brace of a sprained wrist or sling of a broken arm.