This provides definitions of certain words linked to this page. It is not a complete list of special terms used on this site.

ambo — a speakers desk where both the scripture readings and the sermons occur, especially in a modern Catholic church.

cathedral — a church that is the ceremonial home of a bishop and contains their chair or seat (Latin: cathedra). Both of the cathedrals highlighted here were built as parish churches and were named cathedrals later. St. Paul in 1954, the Advent in 1982.

crucifer — a person who carries a processional cross, from the Latin for cross bearer.

liturgy — (1) a synonym for public worship, (2) a set text to guide a worship service, often providing most of what is said aside from the sermon and scripture readings.

liturgical plan — the arrangement of the parts of a worship space.

nave — the main part of a church where the congregatoin sits or stands.

royal doors — the double doors in the middle of the iconscreen, immediately before the altar in a Byzantine plan church.

sanctuary — “holy place”
(1) (Orthodox, Catholic, and Episcopalian) the area of the church around the altar, distinct from the choir and nave; (2)
(Protestant) the worship space as opposed to other parts of the church such as offices, classrooms, and fellowship hall.

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This post is part of “Spaces for Worship: A Birmingham-Based Introduction,” a section of Magic City Religion, written by David R. Bains, published in 2024, and funded by Samford University’s Center for Worship and the Arts.