Temple cathedral or church. Features of sacred buildings, or how a temple differs from a church

You can understand the differences between a church, a temple, a cathedral and a chapel by going back to the origins of Christianity. It is believed that the first service took place in a row house, which was prepared by Jesus Christ himself. It was he who conceived the Last Supper, where there was a conversation about faith and the kingdom in heaven. The Liturgy was held there for the first time - the sacrament of bread and wine (later associated with the body and blood of Christ). At the end, all participants in the meeting ascended the Mount of Olives with chants. Christ bequeathed to perform such actions as memory of him. A similar ritual has survived to this day.

After the death of Christ, the apostles chose places on the world map where they went to preach the teachings of their mentor. They managed to convert entire countries to Christianity.

Initially, Christians attended Jewish temples, but Eucharist(blessing of bread and wine for union with God, communion for the salvation of the soul) was carried out in other rooms. At first these were ordinary apartments, but after the persecution of Christians began, church communities went down into the catacombs.

The architecture of the catacomb temple is still considered in a classic way Orthodox Church, divided into three rooms: altar, central large room for those praying, and a third small hall for people who came to experience the Christian service or for a meal. If the temple lay shallow, then a well was dug in the center, through which light penetrated the halls. It was this kind of temple that the first Christians called a church.

When the persecution of Christians ended, the era of the construction of above-ground temples arose. Their architecture was varied. Buildings in the form of a cross emphasized reverence for the founder of the church, Christ. Round structures predicted the eternity of the Church. The octagonal shape of the house pointed, like the Star of Bethlehem, to the road of salvation.

In all buildings, the altar part was always highlighted. The composition ended with a dome with an ascending cross.

Two ideas have come down from the first Christians: the church and the temple. However, today they are interpreted differently, just as all temple buildings are divided according to their purpose.

The word Church came from Greece. It sounds like Kyriake and is translated - the house of the Lord. Believers are accustomed to calling any religious building a church. In a broader concept, a church is a community of people that forms the backbone of one temple. Regular parishioners help lead the service, join the choir, make candles and bread, clean the premises, and choose the direction of charity.

Temple (from the Russian words Khoroma and Khramin) - a building intended for worship and rituals. According to their purpose, they are divided into parish, cathedral, house and cemetery. All temples must have at least three domes, each of which has its own meaning. The central dome signifies the unity of God, the second dome speaks of the unity of the divine and human nature Christ, the three domes together remind of the Holy Trinity.

Temples can be completed. The new part is called the limit, is endowed with a dome and may have a name different from the main name of the temple. The building is located on the most high places, at significant points for parishioners. The only altar of the temple is oriented to the east, towards sunrise. As the area of ​​the building increases, more altars may appear.

A fence must be built around the temple with a gate (entry of cars) and a wicket (entrance of parishioners). The construction of a temple begins with a blessing.

The origin of the word cathedral comes from the Russian word assembly. Typically this is central temple urban settlement and monastery. In large cities and religious centers There can be many cathedrals. For example, in the Sergius Lavra there are the Trinity and Assumption Cathedrals. St. Petersburg is famous for three central cathedrals(Smolny, Kazan, St. Isaac's) and several cathedrals within the city monasteries. In Moscow, only the Kremlin has several cathedrals, the main one being the Assumption Cathedral.

In the cathedral there is always a box for the patriarch, the second box in Russian churches is the royal place. If the building is small, then the place for higher ranks is made remote. The main cathedral of Russia is the Cathedral of Christ the Savior.

Must be present in cathedrals several altars. At least three local priests or priests from other churches hold services there every day. The full composition of the cathedral's ministers includes 12 priests and one rector (by analogy - Christ and the 12 apostles). Divine services can be conducted by the highest clergy: patriarch, archbishop, bishop, and they are accompanied by various ranks of the diocese. There is a strict distribution of services. Two priests cannot serve two Liturgies on one day. If a church has several chapels, then the Liturgy can take place in each chapel, but different priests conduct the service.

The main difference between the cathedral and other churches is that it necessarily contains the relics of saints. The cathedral has a special status, a blessing for the construction of the cathedral, it is not revised, i.e. Another temple cannot appear in this place instead of the cathedral.

The chapel is a small one-domed church. Anyone can build it in memory of important events or about the people he wants to immortalize. There is no altar in the chapel, so there is no Liturgy. Here the believer says his prayer in a circle of icons and candles. Sometimes joint services may take place. The chapel is looked after by novices from nearby monasteries or local residents. The chapel can be found at the holy springs, at the crossroads. For their construction, no ceremonial places are chosen and they are rarely surrounded by a fence.

Main differences

All church buildings serve one thing - a conversation with God. What a person chooses for a secret conversation is a temple, a cathedral or a chapel - it does not matter. His prayers will be heard in the Kingdom of Heaven. However, there are times when you have to choose one from the variety. Therefore, let us once again emphasize their difference.

  1. Church is a building where people who are bound together gather together religious traditions(co-religionists).
  2. A temple is any building where worship takes place.
  3. Cathedral – main temple cities and monasteries, where the relics of saints are necessarily kept.
  4. Chapel – for private or communal prayer services.
  5. To build and choose the location of a church, temple and cathedral, you need to receive a blessing (status), a chapel does not need status, it can be built at the behest of the heart in any locality.
  6. Daily Liturgy is held only in the cathedral. In churches there is a more free schedule for rituals. In the chapel there is none at all.
  7. The highest clergy conducts services only in the cathedral.
  8. In a cathedral there are always several altars; in a church there can be only one altar.
  9. There is a fence around the church, temple, cathedral; the chapel, most often, is not fenced
  10. There is a staff of clergy assigned to the church, temple, cathedral, but not to the chapel.

Now in various life situations there is a place where you can touch high communication with God, receive peace, protection, blessing.

Hello, Irina!

The word “temple” is of Old Russian origin and means “mansions”, “temple”. IN different religions the temple is called differently: in Christianity it is a cathedral, a church, a church, a church; in Judaism - a synagogue; in Islam - a mosque, etc. The temple building is polysemantic. In Christianity and Buddhism, for example, a temple is an oriented...

What is the difference: church, temple? The difference between a cathedral and a temple.

The word Cathedral comes from the Old Slavonic words: congress, assembly. This is usually the name of the main temple in a city or monastery. The cathedral is designed for daily services to God at least three priests. The services of the highest clergy are held here: the patriarch, archbishop, bishop. The significant size of the cathedral allows you to gather in one place a large number parishioners and clergy. Although the cathedral may not differ significantly in area from an ordinary parish church, it should be designed for the fact that mainly festive services will be performed by clergy from the church staff. Ideally, there should be 12 priests in addition to the rector - the image of Christ and the 12 Apostles.

Cathedrals have their own gradation: monastic, cathedral. The church where the chair of the ruling bishop or bishop is located is called a cathedral. IN cathedrals It happens...

Archpriest Alexander Ilyashenko answers:

Hello, Irina!

A temple (from Old Russian “mansions”, “temple”) is an architectural structure (building) intended for worship and religious ceremonies.

A Christian temple is also called a "church". The word “church” itself comes from the Greek. Κυριακη (οικια) - (house) of the Lord.

A cathedral is usually called the main church of a city or monastery. Although local tradition may not adhere too strictly to this rule. So, for example, in St. Petersburg there are three cathedrals: St. Isaac's, Kazan and Smolny (not counting the cathedrals of city monasteries), and in the Holy Trinity St. Sergius Lavra there are two cathedrals: Assumption and Trinity.

The church where the chair of the ruling bishop (bishop) is located is called a cathedral.

In an Orthodox church, there must be an altar section, where the Throne is located, and a meal - a room for worshipers. In the altar part of the temple, on the Throne, it is performed...

Church of St. John the Evangelist in Kaneo - a typical cross-domed Orthodox church of the Middle Byzantine period

A temple in Orthodoxy is an Orthodox liturgical religious building that has an altar, a throne, and a dome.

1 History 2 Symbolism and structure 3 Stages of development architectural forms 3.1 Russia 3.2 Bulgaria 4 See also 5 Notes 6 References 7 Links

Early Christian architecture, which marked the beginning and formation of architectural forms, which subsequently found diverse embodiment throughout Europe and the Christian East, was also the last period of ancient architecture, with its characteristic traditions fine arts and organization of the internal space of the temple. There are two stages in the development of early Christian architecture:

From its origins to the granting of official status to Christianity by Emperor Constantine; from Constantine the Great to the fall of the Western part of Rome...

For a believer, visiting a temple is akin to a holiday. He feels peace of mind, vigor of the body and endless happiness from the opportunity to touch something higher. He is looking for love, protection and blessings for good endeavors. People pray for healing, for strengthening faith and guidance on the true path, for heartfelt joy, for the gift of piety and mercy. However, few of them thought about whether there is a difference between the words “temple” and “church”. And if there is, then what is it?

Although, on the one hand, temple and church are synonymous, it is not always possible to replace these words with each other.

The word “temple” is of Old Russian origin and means “mansions”, “temple”. In different religions, the temple is called differently: in Christianity it is a cathedral, a church, a cathedral, a church; in Judaism - a synagogue; in Islam - a mosque, etc. The temple building is polysemantic. In Christianity and Buddhism, for example, a temple is an oriented...

Everyone decides for himself to believe in God or not, to go to church or not to go, but knowing the differences in the world of religion is useful for everyone, because, as before, today religion occupies great place not only in our country, but throughout the entire globe.

A temple (from the Old Russian “mansion”, “temple”) is an architectural structure intended for worship and religious ceremonies. History of appearance Orthodox church goes back to an event when, in an ordinary residential building, but in a special upper room, a last supper Jesus Christ with his disciples. Here Christ washed the feet of his disciples and performed the first divine liturgy- the sacrament of transforming bread and wine into one’s body and blood and talked about the mysteries of the church and the kingdom of heaven. Thus the foundations were laid Christian temple– a special room for holding prayer meetings, communion with God and performing the sacraments.

What is the Church? The Church has no differences from the Temple...

Kuznetsova Ekaterina

Research work.

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In this academic year Our class is teaching a new subject, “Fundamentals of Orthodox Culture.” Each student performed project work By various topics. I was interested in the topic “Orthodox Church”. While working on the topic, I had a question: is there a difference between the words “temple” and “church”? And if there is, what is it?

Relevance of the work

The problem of educating tolerance and moral identity of the younger generation today worries the public all over the world and in our country in particular. It is quite obvious that the educational component, along with scientific knowledge, information about society, its interests and laws, culture and art cannot be left outside the frameworkschool curriculum. This is what this work is aimed at.

Areas of activity:

  1. search engine (working with materials);
  2. creative (development of creative abilities, expansion of horizons, development of interest in the process of activity, involvement of family members in an active creative process);
  3. research;
  4. designer (development of aesthetic and artistic taste in the process of working on a presentation).
  5. Target:
  6. Find out if there is a difference between the words “church” and “temple”.
  7. Tasks:
  8. 1. Find out about the purpose and structure of an Orthodox temple, church.
  9. 2. Find the architectural differences between a cathedral, a temple and a church.
  10. 3. Get acquainted with the symbolism of the Orthodox church.
  11. 4. Create interest and desire to learn more about Orthodox culture Russia

The word "temple" has several meanings. Firstly, a temple is a building intended for worship. In this meaning, temple and church are synonymous.The concept of “temple” is also applicable to designate a place that evokes respect, awe, and awe.

The word “church”, in addition to the above meaning, can denote a community of followers of any religion.

The word Temple comes from the Old Russian words: “mansions”, “temple”. A temple is an architectural building or structure intended for worship and religious ceremonies. A Christian temple is called a church. In an Orthodox church, there must be an altar section, where the Throne is located, and a meal - a room for worshipers. In the altar part of the temple, on the Throne, the sacrament of the Eucharist, a bloodless sacrifice, is performed.

In parish churches and in city churches, it is mandatory to have an external pulpit, usually a wooden square platform, specifically for the occasion of the bishop’s ministry.

The word "church" comes from a Greek word and translated means the house of the Lord, God's house. Churches have at least an altar part oriented to the east and an adjacent room for worshipers - a refectory.

According to another version, the status of the church is determined by the side-chapel - a dome with a cross. The temple has three or five, seven or 11, 12, or even 13 domes, respectively, side chapels. There is usually one priest in a church and he can serve only one liturgy. Even a second priest in the same chapel cannot serve the next liturgy on the same day. In churches where there are several chapels, you can serve as many liturgies per day as there are chapels, but by different priests.

The purpose of the temple is to provide a place for a person to pray, repent of his sins and ask for intercession. Any temple is the place of the presence of the Lord God on earth.

The purpose of the church, on the one hand, is consonant with the purpose of the temple: it is the creation of normal conditions for the worship of God and the communication of believers with each other. But, first of all, the church is engaged in educating and instructing believers on the true path.

The church partly resembles an Old Testament temple. It has three parts:

1. Altar with throne and altar;

2. middle (inner) part intended for worshipers;

3. the vestibule, in ancient times intended for catechumens, penitents and those excommunicated.

Only clergy and male persons participating in divine services may enter the altar.

An altar is an altar located on some elevation. In Orthodox churches, the altar means the part of the church fenced off by the iconostasis, intended for the clergy. It has a throne covered with an antimension on which a cross is placed. The altar part of the temple itself should be located in the eastern part of the building. Sacred sacraments and communion are performed behind the altar.

There may be several such altars with thrones in a temple. On each of these altars you can serve the liturgy, but only one per altar per day. Accordingly, as many liturgies can take place in a church per day as there are altars in it, but each new liturgy must be served by a different priest.

In a church, as a rule, there is only one altar with one altar, and, therefore, the liturgy, even if there is a second priest, can only be served by one.

Thus, I found the following differences between a temple and a church:

The temple is, first of all, a building for worship. The Church is a community of fellow believers.

The temple is larger than the church and has at least three domes.

There may be several altars with a throne in a temple, but one in a church.

The temple can serve several liturgies a day with several priests present. In a church, even if there are two priests, the liturgy can only be served once.

Our city also has a temple, churches and even a cathedral.Church of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker, was consecrated in 1999 in honor of St. Nicholas. In the temple there is one throne, a bell tower, church shop. The temple is painted in iconographic style.

Church of the Nativity Holy Mother of God , divine services at the parish have been held since 1980 in the prayer house. Since 1999, the church has been registered under the name Local Orthodox Religious Organization.

Chapel of Kazan Mother of God , built on the station square in memory of the natives of the city who died in the 1990-2000s in the North Caucasus and was illuminated in 2004.The chapel does not have an altar, but services may be held in or around it, but relatively infrequently.

Quite recently, a snow-white building was built in our city.Holy Trinity Cathedral, which is visible from afar to everyone who comes to our city. The construction of this majestic temple began in June 2011. The word Cathedral comes from the Old Slavonic words: congress, assembly. This is usually the name of the main temple in a city or monastery. The cathedral is designed for daily services to God by at least three priests. The services of the highest clergy take place here: the patriarch, the archbishop, the bishop. The new temple amazes with its beauty and monumentality. In fact, the city has built an entire temple complex. In the basement of the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity there is another church - in the name of the holy martyr Raisa. In addition, a beautiful white stone building with a bell tower was erected in front of the cathedral. It will house various church departments of the Ruzaevsky diocese, a Sunday school, a refectory, a library and an assembly hall. The cathedral is decorated with beautiful icons in the academic style. Framed by strict white walls, the magnificent iconostasis looks especially festive. Work on painting the cathedral has just begun; only the dome of the temple is crowned with a large fresco depicting Christ Pantocrator. This cathedral was consecrated in significant year 1000th anniversary of the unity of the Mordovian people with the peoples of the Russian state.

Also in my work I would like to talk about the sights of our Republic - one of the most grandiose religious buildingsCathedral of Saint righteous warrior Fedora Ushakova. The cathedral was opened and illuminated in August 2006 by Patriarch Alexy II of Moscow and All Rus'. The central cross of the cathedral rises 62 meters, built in the Empire style. Along the perimeter of the temple there are 4 bell towers, on which 12 bells are placed. The iconostasis of the cathedral is divided into 3 limits: the central one is consecrated in honor of St. Theodore Ushakov, the right limit is in honor of St. Seraphim Sarovsky and the left border - in honor of the new martyrs and confessors of Mordovian. In the basement there are: the baptismal church of the Transfiguration of the Lord, an assembly hall, classrooms for Sunday school, refectory, library, technical and utility rooms.

Love, children, antiquity

With her epic centuries,

With its hundred-year-old Churches,

Leading the country to greatness...

Children, love the old times!..

Love our ancient way of life

With the greatness and glory of the king,

With the courage of boyar valor

And life in our special way -

To the ringing of swords and the shine of lamps!..

Love, children, your father's house

And the tenderness of maternal affection,

Love old wives' tales

In the circle of grandchildren in the evening

By the stove with a bright light!..

Love the roofs of poor houses,

Love our bell ringing,

Russian character is hospitable

And those who, being rich,

I am glad to share good things with the poor!..

Love Rus' - a stronghold of shrines,

Peace of the meek monastery cell,

The powerful spirit of the heroic army,

Keeping us all from adversity!..

Love, children, your people!..

A temple (from the Old Russian “mansion”, “temple”) is an architectural structure intended for worship and religious ceremonies. The history of the appearance of the Orthodox church goes back to the event when the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with his disciples took place in an ordinary residential building, but in a special upper room. Here Christ washed the feet of his disciples and performed the first divine liturgy - the sacrament of transforming bread and wine into his body and blood and talked about the mysteries of the church and the kingdom of heaven. Thus, the foundations of a Christian temple were laid - a special room for holding prayer meetings, communion with God and performing the sacraments.

The word "church" comes from the Greek word "ekklesia" and translated means the house of God, as well as the elect or selected from total number. A church is not only a building, but also a group of believers around the world, that is, a church is a temple in which Christians gather to serve the Lord, constituting the church.

A Christian temple is also called a "church". An integral part of a Christian church is the altar, where there is a throne and a meal - a room for worshipers. The sacrament of the Eucharist (communion or bloodless sacrifice) is performed on the throne.

Usually main church A monastery or city is called a cathedral, but each locality has its own traditions. For example, in St. Petersburg, there are St. Isaac's, Smolny and Kazan cathedrals (not counting the cathedrals of city monasteries). The church where the chair of the ruling bishop (bishop) is located is called a cathedral.

Conclusions:

The word church has a broader meaning and means both an architectural structure and a union of people. The meaning of the word temple is narrower; a temple means an architectural structure intended for worship.

The fundamental difference between a church and a temple is the presence of an altar or altar in the latter. In Christianity, a bloodless sacrifice (Eucharist) was performed on the altar.

A Christian temple is called a church.

U Orthodox people People often ask what is the difference between a temple and a church, and is there any? People are interested in the life and rules of the Orthodox Church out of curiosity or trying to understand and comprehend the faith.

In any case, a Christian should know how to answer this question and explain in detail what the difference is between a temple and a cathedral, a chapel and a monastery. Knowing this difference will not save the soul, but it determines the education of a person in the teaching in which he finds himself.

Differences between a temple and a church

The Russian word “temple”, which comes from the ancient Russian “mansion” or “temple” - these words used to be used to describe large living quarters. Today this concept has been transformed and already means architectural building, in which divine services and Sacraments are held.

Prince Vladimir Church in Irkutsk

According to its form, which has a certain meaning, it can be:

  • by ship - as a symbol of the ark of salvation in the midst of a raging world;
  • cross - in honor of the object on which Christ’s death saved people;
  • all around - as a symbol of eternity;
  • star - as a symbol of truth.

According to its architecture, the temple has 3 domes and several altars, divided into limits. Usually the temple is named after some saint or holiday.

The word "church" came from Greek language(translated as “House of the Lord”) and means something much more than a building. Orthodox theology distinguishes 2 meanings of this word:

  • building for worship;
  • a community of people who believe in Christ, unlimited in time or space.

A church as a building has the following differences from a temple:


But the second meaning, more global and spiritual - a community of people who believe in the Death and Resurrection of Christ and worship one Lord.

Read about Jesus Christ:

This value combines:

  • the heavenly Church, which triumphs (the Mother of God, angels, the host of saints and the saved);
  • the earthly Church that is at war (Christians).
Important! These two churches are united into one Ecumenical Church and represent a single divine-human organism, which is connected within itself by the Sacraments, Grace and the Holy Spirit. At the head of this organism is Christ himself and governs his flock. He created Her 2000 years ago with 12 disciples and will be reunited with Her at the second coming.

The difference between a cathedral, a monastery and a chapel

There are also the concepts of “cathedral” and “chapel”; many people think that these are synonymous words, but this is not so.

Kazan Cathedral in Stavropol

A cathedral in its exact meaning is a meeting, but in Orthodoxy it has as many as 4 definitions:

  • Apostolic Council - the first historical meeting of the apostles after the death of Christ in Jerusalem;
  • Church Council - a meeting of the highest clergy to determine and control Orthodox doctrine, tradition and statutes;
  • main temple - i.e. the main temple of the city, in which the main bishop of the city serves;
  • The Cathedral of Saints is a holiday.

The cathedral is decorated with many icons and decorative elements to distinguish it from among simple churches.

In addition, he:

  • large sizes;
  • worship services daily;
  • 3 or more priests serve;
  • the highest clergy serves;
  • there is a throne for the primate.

About famous temples and monasteries:

  • Rylsky St. Nicholas Monastery in Kursk region

The concept of a chapel means a small building that serves only for performing prayers and reading akathists in it. They are often erected in honor of some event, and in ancient times monasteries and temples grew from chapels. There is no altar and no liturgy is served.

Chapel of St. Nicholas the Wonderworker in Rybinsk

The monastery has 2 meanings.

In this material we will look at the differences between the church buildings of the peoples of the world.

Communication with the Lord God and the most higher powers, as a rule, happens in a special place. For such purposes, the following were created: temple, church, cathedral, monastery, church, mosque and chapel. How are they different? What is each object?

What is a temple and church, cathedral, monastery, church, mosque, chapel: definition

The most common term is temple.

  • Any religious building of any direction can be called a temple. For example, Muslim mosque, Catholic church, cathedral. The word “temple” is a Church Slavonic concept that was formed thanks to the word “mansions”.
  • Previously, people called huge, spacious buildings this way. From here the concept of “royal mansions” also arose.

Cathedral, church, and chapel are terms used for Christian places of worship.

  • The term "Cathedral" also has Slavic origin. Just listen to how it sounds like “to collect” or “to gather.” In Rus', people also called a cathedral a meeting or congress, when church representatives and representatives of other organizations gathered.
  • The cathedral is large temple. Also, people are accustomed to calling a temple located on the territory of a city a cathedral.

A chapel is a small building where people pray. There are 2 possible origins of this term:

  • The chapel had a bell that rang every 1 hour
  • “Hour” is a type of service when prayers were read simultaneously with psalms. These readings were usually called “hours.”

How the term “church” originated, no one can still say for sure. The church is very similar to a cathedral. But they still have some differences.

What is the difference between a church and a temple: a brief comparison

The church is God's house. Home for chosen people, for those selected. Therefore, a church is not a building, but a group of people who believe in God. A temple is also a church. The most important part of the temple is the altar. On the altar there is a meal with a throne (the room in which the person praying is located). The sacraments of communion and bloodless sacrifice are performed on the throne.



So, let's list the main differences between a temple and a church:

  • The term "church" is a broad concept that refers to an architectural structure, plus a collection of several people.
  • The term "temple" is a special place where worship is held.
  • A Christian temple consists of an altar and an altar.
  • Any church is a Christian temple.
  • The main city church is called the cathedral.

What is the correct way to say or call it: church or temple?

Which term is considered more correct: church or temple? The answer is simple - both the first and second options are considered correct. If we are talking about a building, then it is more correct to say temple. But if there are believers, then it’s better to say church. However, in any version the name will be correct.

What is the difference between a temple and a cathedral: a brief comparison

A temple is a religious building. As a rule, rituals are held in temples. Temples are located all over the world, but they have different names. For example, a Hindu temple is a synagogue, while a Muslim temple is called a mosque.

The cathedral is the main city temple, which plays a major role in religious life every person. In addition, the cathedral is the main church, which is located in the monastery.



The cathedral and temple have the following distinctive features:

  • Temple is everyone religious building, in which worship is carried out. A cathedral is the name given to the main temple in a town or monastery.
  • As for the liturgy, it can be held in the church either every day or exclusively on Sundays. But in the cathedral, liturgy is held every day.
  • Only the highest ranks conduct services in cathedrals.
  • From the outside, the cathedral looks more massive and richer than an ordinary temple.
  • A temple has only one altar, a cathedral can have several.

What is the difference between a church and a cathedral: a brief comparison

  • A church and a cathedral are two architectural structures built to hold religious ceremonies and worship services
  • A cathedral, as mentioned above, is a religious building located either on the territory of a city or on the territory of a monastery
  • The church is a minor religious building

The cathedral and the church differ in the number of altars. There are several of them in the cathedral, and therefore several services can be held at once. The church has one single altar. Consequently, there is only one service held here.

What is the difference between a church and a monastery: a brief comparison

Every person, even those who do not believe in God, knows exactly how a monastery differs from a church. The differences between these buildings are very large.

  • Dimensions. A church is a small building located on a small piece of land. The monastery is a very beautiful building in appearance. It is powerful, quite high, and can be located over a large area.
  • Sexual difference. Both men and women attend church at the same time. A monastery can be for either men or women. Men cannot enter convent, and women - in men's.


  • Job titles, responsibilities. Ordinary townspeople, people who have lost everything, can serve in the church. The Bishop is considered the head of the church. Either nuns or priests can serve in a monastery.
  • Accommodation. People live in the monastery as if they were in a permanent place of residence. You can only pray in the church, and therefore visiting citizens are prohibited from living here.
  • God's Power. The monastery has a strong and powerful aura. People come here when their hearts are heavy. The church has a weak aura.

What is the difference between a church and a church: a brief comparison

The Catholic Church (Catholic Church) is significantly different from the Orthodox Church. Let's look at the most basic ones:

  • Appearance. The Orthodox Church has domes, the number of which carries a certain meaning. The church has no domes.
  • Internal view. The church begins with a narthex, on both sides of it there are bell towers. Then comes the naos or main nave. At the end of the main nave is the altar. IN big churches very huge room. They usually use organs that make the service more solemn. The churches are decorated inside with frescoes, and the churches with icons. The place where the altar is located in the Orthodox Church is separated from the territory by the Solea. The iconostasis is located here. The icons are still on the walls of the main room of the church.

What is the difference between a church and a mosque: a brief comparison

The main difference between a mosque and a church is this: a mosque is not an ordinary house of worship. This is exactly the place where local holidays are held, and where tired travelers spend the night.

These buildings also differ in the following indicators:

  • Architecture. The mosque, as a rule, has square or round outlines, resembling a palace in appearance. A mosque must have a minaret. high tower, which from the very beginning was a lighthouse and guard post. Also, instead of the usual cross, a crescent is installed in the mosque. Plus, the mosque does not have unnecessary furniture elements. The place where people pray looks modest.


  • Traditions. In an ordinary mosque there is a main room that leads to Mecca, plus 3 auxiliary rooms and 4 iwans. Important point– Women never pray with men. This is because women have the right to pray anywhere, but men only in the mosque.

What is the difference between a church and a chapel: a brief comparison

  • A chapel is a building in which people pray. There is no altar in the chapel
  • A church is a building that has an altar

In addition, a church differs from a chapel in the following ways:

  • By size. The chapel is much smaller than the church.
  • There is a throne with an antimension in the church. It is without them that it is impossible to celebrate the liturgy. The chapel does not have any.

The main task of the chapel is to help every person. Consequently, chapels are often located at an airport, a cemetery, a hospital, and many other places.

Video: Difference between Catholic and Orthodox churches