Altar Stone

A solid piece of natural stone, consecrated by a bishop, large enough to hold the Sacred Host and chalice. It is inserted into or placed on the surface of a structure which answers the purpose of an altar, when the whole altar is not consecrated. Sometimes the whole table (mensa) takes the place of the smaller altar-stone. It is called a portable altar.

Altar Tomb

A raised tomb or monument covering a tomb whose shape resembles an altar.

Ambitus

A small niche in underground Roman or Greek tombs, forming a receptacle for a cinerary urn. The consecrated ground surrounding a church.

 

Ambo

Ambones are believed to have taken their origin from the raised platform from which rabbis read the Scriptures to the people, and they were first introduced into churches during the fourth century, were in universal use by the ninth, reaching their full development and artistic beauty in the twelfth, and then gradually fell out of use, until in the fourteenth century, when they were largely superseded by pulpits. In the Ambrosian Rite (Milan) the Gospel is still read from the ambo. They were usually built of white marble, enriched with carvings, inlays of colored marble or glass mosaics.

Ambry, Almary, Almery

A cupboard or niche in a chancel wall for the utensils of the Eucharist.

Ambulatory

A passageway around the apse of a church or for circumambulating a shrine.

Amphiprostyle

Marked by columns in porticoes only at the front and back of a classical temple, but not on the sides.

Amphistylar

A classical temple having columns across the length of both sides or across both ends.

Amphitheatre

An oval or round building with tiers of seats around a central open area for use in performances as an auditorium.

Amphithura

A curtain divided in the center, closing the entrance through the iconostasis of a Greek church.

  

Analogion, Analogium

A reading desk, lectern or ambo. In the Eastern church, a stand on which choir books rest.

Antechapel

A separate entrance space as a porch or vestibule in front of a chapel.

 

Antechoir

The space between the inner and outer gates of the choir screen.

  

Antechurch

An extension or outer part of the west end of a church or chapel. A deep narthex at the front of a church, usually with a nave and side aisles.

 

Antenave

A narthex or porch of any description leading into the nave of a church.

  

Antependium

A hanging which was suspended over and in front of the altar in medieval churches.

Anteportico

An outer porch or a portico in front of the main portico in a classical temple.

  

Anteroom

A room adjacent to a larger more important one frequently used as a waiting area.

Antique Glass

 

Apex

The highest point or tip of any structure. The top of a steeple would be the apex as would the top of the highest gable on a House of Worship.