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Is this still a stub? It seems pretty comprehensive in present form. JimScott 17:41, 28 June 2007 (UTC)[reply]
About narthex and its Greek etymology. This is so much linguistic grasping at straws: for no such use can be found in the Septuagint or in the Greek New Testament. Far more logical is the idea that Narth is some sort of Gaelic variation of North, appended to the Greek, then Latin suffix ex; the preposition which means simply out of, or from, and expresses a distinctly ablative idea. Hence, literally the north exit. Similarly, we have Essex, Sussex, and Wessex, which appear to have originally applied to east, south, and west Saxons; thus, north Saxons. This, when applied to buildings expressed the direction of ingress and egress. Particularly in the case of church buildings the direction from west to east is the expression of the Via Dolorosa, the pageantry of Christ's journey as both priest and sacrifice from crucifixion to eternal heavenly offering. It is inappropriate that catechumens should be found blocking this path. Because Christ is prophet, priest, and king, He alone has the right to follow this path. In the pageantry, the place of Christ is portrayed by Bishops, Priests, and Kings. In Constantinople this pageantry of procession began at a minor church or chapel and arriving at the main west entrance of Hagia Sophia marched down the central aisle: Emperor, Metropolitan, Priests, and Deacons. This is the entrance. Worshipers, including catechumens were expected to enter via other doors. Catechumens, were expected to observe the procession from the North, until they were escorted out prior to the Liturgy of the Mysteries, which they were not permitted to attend. As the main article notes, in due time these meanings were lost, and took on new meanings related to function, rather than location. Baptism, was a rite of entry into The Church, conducted outside of The Church, even in a nearby stream or lake, as is still the practice in some places. The construction of baptisteries inside the building is very early, at least fourth century, and baptisteries are found which are large enough to accommodate both adults and children by a combination of immersion and effusion. Nowadays, Narthex does mean the main entry, but this was not always so. In the 24th Psalm, the Royal gates open only for Jesus, the Christ of God. Common people use the minor entrances. But in the Eucharist, the Communion, where believers experience and express their full identity as members of the body of Christ, they, with Him walk the central aisle of the Via Dolorosa to be and become what they were born into through baptism. Thus the people themselves, as well as the Emperor, Metropolitan, Bishops, Priests, and Deacons are the living icons of the risen Christ; yet, the people return by the side aisles. Nothing may disrupt the imagery of Christ's procession from crucifixion to heavenly enthronement. Thus Narthex, today, is an expression of clearing the path for the King of Kings; historically, Wessex was reserved for this function. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 68.97.24.127 (talk) 17:36, 13 September 2015 (UTC)[reply]
The note about the cartographic convention seems to be contradicted by the image, which depicts a church with the liturgical east end at the top. 65.213.77.129 (talk) 14:26, 7 January 2008 (UTC)[reply]
