chancels
Where clergy officiate
Chancels is the plural of chancel, the area around the altar in a church, typically at the eastern end and often separated from the nave by steps or a screen.
Historically reserved for clergy and choir, chancels contain the most sacred elements of church architecture: The chancels of medieval cathedrals often feature elaborate stone carvings.
Protected sacred space
- apseVaulted church recess
- altarSacred ritual table
- naveChurch's main interior
- choirOrganized group of singers
transept · ambulatory · presbytery · sacristy · vestry · cathedral · basilica · crossing
Formal worship structure
- communionProfound shared closeness
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- benedictionFormal spoken blessing
baptism · confirmation · service · mass · wedding · processional · recessional · officiant
sanctuary
Protected sacred space
choir · transept · ambulatory · presbytery · sacristy · vestry · cathedral · basilica · crossing · clerestory
liturgy
Formal worship structure
- communionProfound shared closeness
- ordinationClergy appointment ceremony
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
benediction · baptism · confirmation · service · mass · wedding · processional · recessional · officiant · celebrant
- vice chancellorsUniversity chief executives