Religions, whether one believes in them or not, play very integral parts of daily living. They have been around for hundreds of centuries already, fulfilling the need of man to be able to believe in an omnipotent being who made the universe and all those that are found in it. Every religion has its sets of rules and guidelines that are aimed to guide the people to the path of the faithful. Temples are for Buddhists, mosques are for Muslims, cathedrals and Staten Island church are for Catholics and Christians alike.
The architecture of these buildings are as old as the centuries old religion itself. Roman Catholic Churches are well known for their complex structural forms that display the work of what seems to be no less than very accomplished workmen. Most churches are often included in the array of finest buildings in an area.
A church building can serve many functions. Cathedrals are well known to everyone, religious or otherwise. It is a common misconception that these have to be large and very imposing with all its pillars and intricate arches, as most well known ones are. The truth of the matter is that size does not really matter so much for a building to be called a cathedral.
Cathedrals are often used by many to name a church that is of huge proportions. They take one look at the very spacious house of worship and declare it to be a cathedral. This is actually wrong, because not all cathedrals are enormous with its huge columns and echoing walls. The term cathedral means bishops throne, which means that a cathedral is where a bishop does his duties and where most important liturgical rites are made.
A basilica, in the architectural sense, bears similarities in the structures of the ancient Roman basilicas, hence the apt name. It typically has a longitudinal plan rather than a central one. The center naves of these structures have aisles on both sides and are often separated by a colonnade. In the ecclesiastical sense, however, it will only be termed as such if it were designated with basilica status by the pope.
The Catholic religion recognizes four major basilicas. All of them are found in Europe. Three are found in Rome, Italy, while the other one is in Vatican city. In addition, there are about a thousand of other minor basilicas all over the globe. Churches are granted basilica status because they house within their halls some objects that are venerated and relics of a recognized saint.
Those structures that house monks and other members of a holy order or society is termed as an abbey church, or to put it simply, an abbey. This is housed inside an exclusive complex along with a library, cloister, and other facilities that the religious might need. They were one of the most important buildings during the time.
Abbeys also serve not only the monastic community but also the local community as well. Monks and friars were usually the ones the villagers ask for help. When these monasteries were dissolved, they just doubled as parish churches.
The solemnity that one craves when going to a church is not at all exclusive to the impressive looking buildings. There are still many beautiful ones in even the busiest parts of the world. This is just proof that many people still believe in religion even if the society has lapsed into a time when it does not really matter anymore.
The architecture of these buildings are as old as the centuries old religion itself. Roman Catholic Churches are well known for their complex structural forms that display the work of what seems to be no less than very accomplished workmen. Most churches are often included in the array of finest buildings in an area.
A church building can serve many functions. Cathedrals are well known to everyone, religious or otherwise. It is a common misconception that these have to be large and very imposing with all its pillars and intricate arches, as most well known ones are. The truth of the matter is that size does not really matter so much for a building to be called a cathedral.
Cathedrals are often used by many to name a church that is of huge proportions. They take one look at the very spacious house of worship and declare it to be a cathedral. This is actually wrong, because not all cathedrals are enormous with its huge columns and echoing walls. The term cathedral means bishops throne, which means that a cathedral is where a bishop does his duties and where most important liturgical rites are made.
A basilica, in the architectural sense, bears similarities in the structures of the ancient Roman basilicas, hence the apt name. It typically has a longitudinal plan rather than a central one. The center naves of these structures have aisles on both sides and are often separated by a colonnade. In the ecclesiastical sense, however, it will only be termed as such if it were designated with basilica status by the pope.
The Catholic religion recognizes four major basilicas. All of them are found in Europe. Three are found in Rome, Italy, while the other one is in Vatican city. In addition, there are about a thousand of other minor basilicas all over the globe. Churches are granted basilica status because they house within their halls some objects that are venerated and relics of a recognized saint.
Those structures that house monks and other members of a holy order or society is termed as an abbey church, or to put it simply, an abbey. This is housed inside an exclusive complex along with a library, cloister, and other facilities that the religious might need. They were one of the most important buildings during the time.
Abbeys also serve not only the monastic community but also the local community as well. Monks and friars were usually the ones the villagers ask for help. When these monasteries were dissolved, they just doubled as parish churches.
The solemnity that one craves when going to a church is not at all exclusive to the impressive looking buildings. There are still many beautiful ones in even the busiest parts of the world. This is just proof that many people still believe in religion even if the society has lapsed into a time when it does not really matter anymore.
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