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:''This article is on church architecture. For a general description and the theology of the Church, see [[Orthodox Church]] and [[Ecclesiology]].''
The word '''church''' is derived through Middle and Old English cirice, circe from the Greek Koine {{lang-el|κυριακον}} ({{lang-el|δωμα}}) Lord's (house). However, most English versions of the New Testament use the word ''church'' to translate ecclesia (Greek Koine {{lang-el|εκκλησία}}) "congregation, assembly", a word originally used without specific reference to religious gatherings.
==Dictionary==
* a building for public Christian worship.
* collectively, the whole body of Christ's followers.
* a [[congregation]].
* public worship - a religious service.
* a body of Christian believers of the same [[creed]], rites, and ecclesiastical authority.
Churches have been built in a variety of shapes. The usual local Orthodox [[parish]] church is a rectangular building. At one end, by tradition facing east, is the [[bema]] with the [[altar]] located on it. This area is usually separated from the nave by an altar screen ([[iconostasis]]) and/or chancel rail. Behind this separation is the altar table. By ancient tradition the nave may have benches lining the walls, but otherwise the church is without seats or chairs. At the west end there may be a room running the width of the church called the [[narthex]]. The narthex is separated from the nave by a wall with doors through which the congregations can enter the nave.
Other common styles of architecture for churches including [[basilicaBasilica]]s (Early Christian Church buildings with side aisles to the nave), octagonal shapes, square buildings, circular buildings, and buildings in the form of a cross. To create a high vaulted ceiling many churches have domed ceilings and may have bell towers either as part of the main building or separate free standing structures.
In time, churches that were the [[bishop]]'s church came to be called [[cathedral]]s, named after the bishop's seat, called the [[cathedra]].
===[[Book of Revelation]]===
A church is not constructed simply to simply be a meeting hall for men whose life exists solely within the bounds of this earth. The church building is patterned after the image of God's Kingdom in the Book of Revelation. [[Image:Orthodox-Church-interior.jpg|right|thumb|Church interior]]
The Narthex-[[Narthex|vestibule]] symbolizes this world. Services such as those for [[baptism]] or [[marriage|wedding services]] start in the vestibule.
The [[naveNave]] is the place of the assembled people of God. The faithful Christians on earth who already belong to the holy assembly enter into the eternal worship of God's Kingdom in the Church.
The [[altarAltar]] area stands for the Kingdom of God. The altar table is where Christ is enthroned, both as the Word of God in the Gospels and as the Lamb of God in the [[Eucharist]]ic sacrifice. Around the table are the angels and saints in the perpetual adoration inspired by the [[Holy Spirit]].
==External links==
[[Category:Churches|*]]
[[Category:Church architecture]]
[[ro:Biserică(locaș)]]