| A church is a place of worship in Orthodoxy, Catholicism and in the majority of Protestant churches.
The Orthodox or Catholic Church consists at least of an altar portion (in Orthodoxy, as a rule, facing eastward) and premises adjoining the altar portion for worshippers. The altar portions (with an exception of Lutheranism, Anglicanism and some other religions) are not found in the majority of Protestant churches.
In most cases, the Protestant churches have no well-defined rules in regard to the internal arrangements.
Usually orthodox or Catholic places of worships consist of several interconnected sections: Refer Chapel, crypt, side-altar and refectory.
The main church of a city or monastery is usually called the “Cathedral”.
In orthodox architecture, the number of domes (cupola) in churches has its own importance. One dome is done in the honor of a single God, three - in honor of the Sacred Trinity, five - in honor of the Savior and four Evangelists, seven - in honor of the seven sacraments, thirteen - the Savior and the twelve apostles.
The types of Church buildings:
Three basic building types are distinguished traditionally: Cathedral, Church and chapel. The impressive building, where the cathedra of bishops (in the Episcopal system of the church setup) is situated, is usually called the Cathedral. The building where once the cathedra was located is also called a Cathedral.
A church is a main type of parish building. The chapel as a separate building, usually, is built for special needs (for example, on cemeteries for conducting funeral ceremonies). It is necessary to note that liturgical distinctions between buildings do not exist - any sacraments, rites or ceremonies can be conducted both in a cathedral as well as in a chapel, no less than in a house or in the open air.
Apart from the specified, other buildings are also possible: Baptistery etc.
Naming of the Church buildings:
A unified naming principle does not exist.
* Churches can have traditional pre-Reformation names (then, the church name contains of the name of some saint in spite of the fact that the inclusion of saint names are characteristics for other Christian churches, is not found in Lutheranism). In the present day, if a similar naming method is used, then preference would be given to important personalities of the New Testament. Churches in the name of the Virgin Mary are simply named “St.Mary’s Church”). This tradition found a unique expression in Russia, where church names in the orthodox manner are rather popular, therefore, the building was often named after a saint – patron of a ruling emperor or the empress, which were often churchwardens of Lutheran churches;
* The name depends on the prevailing ethnic group of the parishioners, especially if other Lutherans of the region belonged to other congregations. For example, the German Lutheran Church in Stockholm. Therefore, the church can be simultaneously named in the honor of any saint;
* Memorial Lutheran Churches - in connection with the absence of saints and church personalities in Lutheranism starting from the Reformation and subsequent periods, churches are not named in the honor of saints. In this case, a church is named in memory of Martin Luther, Phillip Melanchthon and Dietrich Bonhoeffer etc. In the 19th century, the naming of churches in the memory of rulers gained popularity (for example, Kaiser Wilhelm’s Memorial Church);
* Modern traditions (especially in USA) to use important Christian concepts, for example, Grace church, Church of the Redeemer etc are used for the naming the churches. Out of the new church buildings in Russia a similar tradition is followed by the “Church of Holy Christ” in Yoshkar Ola;
* Lastly, the church can also not have any special name and can be called by the name of a city, settlement or area or district where it is located (Tempere Cathedral etc.).
Internal setup:
For Lutheran Churches, built in the traditional style, the division of building into parts, which are usual for Christian cult structures, is characteristic. Now, during construction of Lutheran Churches in the modern style, similar divisions can be absent. It is necessary to note that the interiors of the structure are an Adiaphoristic issue and cannot be an obstacle for conducting divine services in them.
Narthex:
Or Ante-church: As a rule, it is used for auxiliary church needs. Diaconic premises, places for circles working in the parish, library, locker room, the toilet etc can be located here. As a rule, one or two towers, often fulfilling the function of bell towers are found above the ante-church.
Choirs:
The space which is usually located above the entrance in the main building;
Usually the musical instruments are arranged here.
Nave:
Usually the nave is the main portion of the building with respect to size. The parishioners place is assigned here. It can have special benches, on which it is possible to bend the knees without getting out of the benches or usual chairs. The arrangement of the church furniture has no dogmatic importance; however, the passage is envisaged exactly the opposite to the altar if processions are conducted in the church. In small chapels the passage can be absent.
Transept:
The lateral nave separates the main nave from the altar portion. This is predominantly found in medieval buildings.
Altar portion:
Traditionally the altars of Lutheran churches face towards the East. If the building is not built on the west with an east facing then the altar portion shall be called the “Liturgical East”. An elevation can be made here with altar on it. Usually a cross or crucifix and liturgical items are arranged on the altar. A picture (or stained-glass window) with images of evangelical events or a simple cross can be found in this section behind the altar. In modern church buildings, it can be a picture of nature or (if a beautiful landscape is arranged behind the altar) a simple window.
Usually other important elements of Lutheran Churches – evangelical cathedra, are arranged on the sides of the altar. They can be situated both at floor level as well as on a special balcony. |
