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Glite Dictionary
⛪ Main church area 🏛️ Inner temple room
naos

naos

9.9
Main area of a church where people gather to worship
  • noun
  • /ˈneɪəs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : naos
  • Only clergy were allowed beyond the naos into the sanctuary in some traditions.

Examples

  • The naos was beautifully decorated with frescoes.

  • In ancient churches, the naos served as the main gathering area.

  • The ancient church's naos was filled with light streaming through stained glass windows.

  • Tourists admired the mosaics decorating the walls of the naos during their visit.

  • During the service, the congregation gathered in the naos to participate in prayers and singing.

  • The naos of the church was adorned with beautiful mosaics representing various saints.

  • In many Byzantine churches, the naos serves as the focal point for worship and community gatherings.

Synonyms

nave
vsnaos
5 8.6

The central part of a church where people sit during services

is the same central church space but specific to early Christian and Byzantine contexts

Surface Forms

naos singular
naoi plural

Etymology

Naos comes from the Greek ναός, which means 'temple' or 'shrine'. In early churches the naos was the main inside area where people gathered to worship, so today it means the central part of a church.