Worship Without Words
By Patricia S. KleinParaclete Press (MA)
Copyright © 2007 Patricia S. Klein
All right reserved.ISBN: 9781557255044
Chapter One
Sacred Places, Sacred Spaces
When you step through the doorway of a church you are leaving the outer world behind and entering an inner world. The outside world is a fair place abounding in life and activity, but also a place with a mingling of the base and ugly. It is a sort of marketplace, crossed and recrossed by all and sundry. Perhaps "unholy" is not quite the word for it, yet there is something profane about the world. Behind the church doors is an inner place, separated from the market place, a silent, consecrated and holy spot. It is very certain that the whole world is the work of God and His gift to us, that we may meet Him anywhere, that everything we receive is from God's hand, and, when received religiously, is holy. Nevertheless men have always felt that certain precincts were in a special manner set apart and dedicated to God. (Romano Guardini)
ECCLESIASTICAL BUILDINGS
Ecclesiastical buildings are divided into two classes:churches and oratories.
church. A house of God, dedicated exclusively for publicworship. A sacred building dedicated to divine worshipfor the use of all the faithful and the public exercise ofreligion. There are five kinds of churches:
· basilica. A rectangular church with a semicircular apse and narthex copied after the ancient Roman justice hall. It is especially designed for large congregations. Also the title given to specific Roman Catholic churches to which the pope has granted particular ceremonial privileges.
· cathedral. The chief church of a diocese where the bishop's throne (or cathedra, which is the Latin word for "seat") is situated.
· collegiate or conventual. A public place of worship served by a community of regular clergy (canons regular, monks, or friars).
· metropolitan. A church presided over by an archbishop.
· parochial. A parish church, with a baptismal font, a confessional, and a cemetery, and the liturgical equipment necessary for baptisms, marriages, and funerals.
oratory. A place of worship not intended for the use ofall the faithful indiscriminately. These can be a publicoratory, which is used by a religious community primarily,with limited access by the public; a semipublic oratory,which is intended for use by a special community and isnot open to the public; and a private oratory, which is asmall chapel or a room set apart for worship in a privatehouse for the use of the family or an individual.
OTHER ECCLESIASTICAL STRUCTURES
catacomb. An underground cave or tunnel the earlyChristians used for burial and as a meeting place duringthe time of Roman persecutions.
manse. The residence of the clergy, particularly in thePresbyterian Church. May also be called parsonage,rectory, vicarage, or presbytery (Roman Catholic).
mission. An establishment of missionaries, which mayinclude a church, a station, a school, a hospital, andother facilities from which the missionaries do outreachwork. May also refer to a local parish or church that isdependent on a larger church or religious organizationfor financial support or direction.
shrine. A building or other shelter that encloses theremains or relics of a saint or other holy person, becominga site of religious veneration and pilgrimage. May alsorefer to a reliquary or receptacle for sacred relics, or tothe niche holding a religious image.
MONASTIC ARCHITECTURE
abbey. A religious house under the direction of an abbotor an abbess. Also, an abbey church (such asWestminster Abbey).
cell. A small room in a monastery or convent.
cloister. The residence of those who have taken religiousvows, such as a convent, monastery, abbey, etc. See alsoSacred Architecture.
convent. A house for persons under religious vows, inparticular, women or nuns. May also be called a nunnery.
monastery. A house for persons under religious vows, inparticular, men or monks.
priory. A religious house under the direction of a prioror prioress.
refectory. The dining room in a monastic community.
retreat house. The guest house at a monastic community.
SACRED ARCHITECTURE
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
cruciform. Cross-shaped churches, which have a nave,transept, and chancel. When looking down on thisformation from above, it would appear to be in the shapeof a Latin cross.
Gothic. An ornate style of architecture ofEurope in the Middle Ages (twelfth tofifteenth centuries). Distinguishing featuresare pointed arches, ribbed vaulting, andslender spires. Rheims and Notre Dame areGothic cathedrals.
Romanesque. A style of architecture basedon Roman building techniques, prevalentin Europe from the fifth century to thetwelfth century. The distinctive features arethe round arch and the barrel (or tunnel)vault. It is unadorned and massive.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
bells. The ringing of a church bell is an invitation toworship. If the bells are carillons, sacred hymn tunes areplayed. Bells are tolled for funerals.
· belfry. The church tower where the bells are hung.
· campanile. A bell tower separate from the church, such as the Leaning Tower of Pisa.
· carillon. A set of large bells in the church tower on which hymn tunes are played from an electric keyboard. There are at least two octaves of bells, tuned chromatically.
buttress. An exterior reinforcement to strengthenthe walls and support the roof of Gothic stylechurches. A classic example is Notre Dame Cathedral.
cloister. A sheltered corridor connecting thechurch building with other structures serving theneeds of a congregation. See also Monastic Architecture.
fleche. (French, "arrow.") A very slender, "arrow-like"spire at the crossing on a church roof.
gargoyle. Grotesque figures of people andbeasts used as water spouts or decoration on theexterior of Gothic cathedrals. They symbolizethe evil that the gospel expels.
pier. A support of masonry, steel, or the like for sustainingvertical pressure.
polychrome. Decorative painting in bright colors onwood. Beams in church ceilings, etc., may be ornamentedin polychrome.
rose window. A round window with stone tracery,generally at the west end of the church.
spire. A steeple projecting high above the roof ofthe church.
tracery. Delicately carved stonework that formsthe shape of the windows, particularly in Gothicarchitecture. Such work may also be done in woodon the chancel furniture, especially the reredos.
vaulted. In Gothic and Romanesque architecture,the domed or arched structure of the ceiling.
MOVING INTO THE CHURCH ...
INTERIOR SPACES
It is the doors that admit us to this mysterious place. Lay aside, they say, all that cramps and narrows, all that sinks the mind. Open your heart, lift up your eyes. Let your soul be free, for this is God's temple.
It is likewise the representation of you, yourself. For you, your soul and your body, are the living temple of God. Open up that temple, make it spacious, give it height. (Romano Guardini)
aisle. The space between the rows of pews that worshipersuse as a passageway to reach their places in the pews.
apse. (Latin, "arch.") The semicircular or rectangularrecess of the chancel of a church in which the altarstands. The interior of the apse is called the sanctuary.
baptistry. This may be a separate building or a part ofthe church, usually near the entrance, where thesacrament of Holy Baptism is administered at a font. Insome churches it is a large tank in the front of the churchfor baptism by immersion.
chancel. The sanctuary of the church, raised by stepsabove the level of the nave.
chapel. A small church with a sanctuary of its own,either as part of a larger church or separate. It is used forminor and occasional services and functions. A chapelmay be connected with an institution such as a college,prison, or cemetery.
choir. The place in the church where the singers sit. Mayalso be called a choir loft, especially when set in a gallerybehind the pulpit or above the nave. (Also refers to thesingers who help with the music of the service.)
clerestory. The upper part of the nave containing anarcade of windows. This is a feature of both the basilicaand the Gothic-style church.
confessional. In Roman churches, the boothlikestructures on either side of the nave, in which privateconfessions are made.
crossing. The place at the front of the church where thetransept and nave intersect in a cruciform church.
crypt. A vault under a church directly beneath thesanctuary or choir, used as a chapel or burial place.
Epistle side. The right side of the sanctuary as thecongregation faces it. This is the side from which theEpistle is read. Also known as the Epistle Horn. See alsoGospel side.
font. (Latin, "fountain.") A round or octagonal receptacleof marble, wood, or metal that stands on apedestal and contains the water for baptism. Thenumber eight signifies regeneration; thus an octagonalfont represents regeneration through baptism.
Gospel side. The left side of the sanctuary as the congregationfaces it; the side to the clergy's right. This sideis the side of highest honor and from which the Gospelis read. Also known as the Gospel Horn.
horns of the altar. The Epistle side (horn) is the rightfront as the congregation faces the altar. The Gospel side(horn) is the left front. The Gospel and Epistle lessonsmay be read from these positions.
narthex. The vestibule entered by the main entrance andusually stretching across the entire end of the church. Itmay be under a balcony and is separated from the nave ofthe church by a wall. Today, this is often called a vestibule.
nave. (Latin, "ship.") In ecclesiastical art, the church isrepresented as a ship sailing toward heaven. The ship's"passengers" are the parishioners who sit in the mainpart of the church, the nave. It extends from the narthexto the chancel from which it is separated by a communionrail. The ship (nave) is a symbol of the church, the meansof our heavenward voyage.
piscina. A basin built into the church wall, having adrain to carry the unused wine from the Eucharist to theground. A basin with a drain near the altar of a churchfor disposing of water from liturgical ablutions.
portal. Gate or door. The main door of a church orcathedral.
predella. The top step on which the altar stands. Alsocalled footpace.
sacristy. A room for the pastor's private use as an office,study, and robing room. A room in a church wheresacred vessels and vestments are kept and where theclergy vests. Sometimes called a vestry.
sanctuary. The elevated place where the altar stands inthe chancel, and where the ordained servant of thecongregation leads the worship. It is the most sacredpart of the church. In nonliturgical churches, may alsogenerally refer to a place where worship services areheld.
stall. The special seats in the chancel for the clergy.Those for the choir are called choir stalls.
transept. In a cruciform church, the area that correspondsto the arms of the cross. It is at the front of the nave andat the foot of the chancel.
worship center. Not an altar, but a focal point for worshipas in a Sunday school room. May be a table with a picture,cross, etc., that suggests worship to those assembledthere.
CHURCH FURNISHINGS
ambo. A raised desk, or either of two such desks, fromwhich the Gospels or Epistles were read or chanted.Used especially in an early Christian church or in theEastern tradition.
bier. The framework upon which a coffin rests.
bishop's throne. Also called the bishop's chair or cathedral,it is permanently located in a cathedral, being placednear the altar on the Gospel side of the sanctuary.
credence shelf. A shelf or table in the sanctuary wherethe sacramental vessels are kept until carried to the altarfor the Holy Communion.
lectern. (Latin, "to read.") A wooden or metal desk fromwhich the Bible lessons are read. The lectern may be usedinstead of the pulpit for preaching in lesser services.
pew. A long seat with a back, but without divisions, toaccommodate the members of the congregation at services.A hymn book rack, pew card holder, communioncup holder, and kneelers may be attached to the pew forthe convenience of the worshipers.
prie-dieu. (French, "pray to God.") A movableprayer desk with a kneeler for use in servicesby the clergy or by anyone in privatedevotions.
presider's chair. The seat on which the presider orcelebrant sits. Also called celebrant's chair.
pulpit. (Latin, "raised platform.") The place from whichthe sermon is delivered. It is located at the front of thechancel. It is raised so that the person speaking may beeasily seen by the congregation. It may be octagonallyshaped, symbolic of the regeneration of the spirit by theWord of God.
rood or rood cross. (Old English, "cross.") A cross orcrucifix; in particular, a large one at the entrance to thechoir or chancel of a medieval church, often suspendedon a rood beam or rood screen.
rood beam. A heavy wooden beam suspended from wallto wall at the entrance to the chancel. On top in the centeris a carving or other representation of the crucifixion(rood) indicating that humanity must go to heaven byway of the cross.
rood screen. An open screen at the entrance to thesanctuary representing the gates of heaven. The roodscreen separates the nave from the chancel.
sedilia. (Latin, "seat.") Usually a series of three seats forthe clergy officiating at a service.
stoup. A small vessel for holding holy water, placed atthe entrance of a church. Worshipers dip the fingers ofthe right hand into the holy water and apply it to themselveswith the sign of the cross, as a blessing and areminder of baptism. Very often the stoup takes the formof a scalloped shell.
LITURGICAL FURNISHINGS
alms basin. A large plate into which the offering platesare placed or the offering poured for presentation at thealtar. Sometimes called a receiving basin. May be made ofwood, silver, or brass. A velvet pad may be fastened inthe bottom.
· alms bags. Bags of leather or cloth attached to long poles used to collect the offerings of the people.
· alms box. A box placed near the entrance of a church for the collection of financial gifts for the poor or for other specific purposes.
· offering plates. Plates of wood or metal used for collecting the offering and then conveying it to the sanctuary. Sometimes wicker baskets are used rather than plates. Offering plates may also be called collection plates or alms plates.
banners. Large decorated cloths portraying the doctrineand work of the church, to be hung in the church orcarried in procession.
memorial book. A book listing the memorials given tothe glory of God and the church. Also, a book of memorylisting the names of those who have served their countryin time of war, with special recognition for those whohave given their lives. The desk that holds the memorialbook is called a memorial stand.
parish register. The book in each parish in which allbaptisms, confirmations, funerals, and marriages arerecorded and in which lists of members are kept. The deskthat holds the guest or register book is called a register stand.
processional cross. A cross (or crucifix) attached to astaff and carried by a crucifer at the head of an ecclesiasticalprocession.
register board. Not unlike a hymn board, this one carriessuch information as the number of members of the parishregister, the number present at worship, the amount ofthe offering, etc. Usually used for the Church School.
sanctuary bracket. A shelf for the alms basin andoffering plates before the offering is received and theyare placed on the altar. Usually made of wood, it isattached to the sanctuary wall on the Epistle side.
Lift up your heads, O ye gates,
and be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors,
and the King of Glory shall come in.
Heed the cry of the doors. Of small use to you is a house of wood and stone unless you yourself are God's living dwelling. The high arched gates may be lifted up, and the portals parted wide, but unless the doors of your heart are open, how can the King of Glory enter in? (Romano Guardini)
Continues...Excerpted from Worship Without Wordsby Patricia S. Klein Copyright © 2007 by Patricia S. Klein. Excerpted by permission.
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