NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Narthex

In old cathedrals this area was usually separated from the nave of the church by a railing or screen. In modern churches the narthex often separates the worship area by a wall with doors opening into the nave. Today lobby is the clearer meaning as well as easiest to pronounce.

Categories: Churches

Results from FactBites:

Narthex - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (249 words)
	The narthex of a church is the entrance or lobby area, located at the western end of the nave, at the far end from the church's main altar.
	The purpose of the narthex was to allow those not eligible for admittance into the general congregation (particularly catechumens and penitents) to hear and partake in the service.
	The narthex would often include a baptismal font so that infants could be baptized there before entering the nave, and to remind other believers of their baptisms as they gathered to worship.

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