Coptic Centre, UK


The Official Website of the Coptic Orthodox Church Centre, United Kingdom Under the care of H.G. Bishop Angaelos

By Fr. Tadros Yacoub Malty

NARTHEX	* The Greek word literally means "a small case." * A vestibule, usually a wide one across the front (west end) of a church, considered as a part of the church nave. In the early ages catechumens, candidates for baptism, and penitents occupied the narthex.
NAVE	* In Latin word "navis" means "ship." * The body of the church building where the congregation assembles; called "nave" because the church is often symbolized in art as a ship, and the people pulling together in service. * See "Church (its sections)."
NICENE CREED	* The statement of the Christian faith set forth at the Council of Nicea, A.D. 325, and reaffirmed at the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. It is used as an alternative to the Apostles' Creed, in private and communal worship. Its meaning bears the same as that of the Apostles' Creed, but it is an extended form.
NICHE	* It is a concavity in the eastern wall of the sanctuary referring to God's bosom that is widely opened to embrace us. * In it we can find the icon of our Lord sitting on His throne. In front of the icon is hanged a lit lamp.
NOVICE	* One who is spending a period of time under trial before being professed to a religious order.
NUN	* The female of monk. * A member of a religious order or a group of women living under the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. With the dissemination of Christian ideals in the apostolic age, many widows and virgins separated themselves from society to worship God, initially in seclusion and later in communal groups (1 Tim. 5:9-10).

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NARTHEX * The Greek word literally means "a small case."
* A vestibule, usually a wide one across the front (west end) of a church, considered as a part of the church nave. In the early ages catechumens, candidates for baptism, and penitents occupied the narthex.
NAVE * In Latin word "navis" means "ship."
* The body of the church building where the congregation assembles; called "nave" because the church is often symbolized in art as a ship, and the people pulling together in service.
* See "Church (its sections)."
NICENE CREED * The statement of the Christian faith set forth at the Council of Nicea, A.D. 325, and reaffirmed at the Council of Constantinople in 381 A.D. It is used as an alternative to the Apostles' Creed, in private and communal worship. Its meaning bears the same as that of the Apostles' Creed, but it is an extended form.
NICHE * It is a concavity in the eastern wall of the sanctuary referring to God's bosom that is widely opened to embrace us.
* In it we can find the icon of our Lord sitting on His throne. In front of the icon is hanged a lit lamp.
NOVICE * One who is spending a period of time under trial before being professed to a religious order.
NUN * The female of monk.
* A member of a religious order or a group of women living under the vows of poverty, chastity and obedience. With the dissemination of Christian ideals in the apostolic age, many widows and virgins separated themselves from society to worship God, initially in seclusion and later in communal groups (1 Tim. 5:9-10).