Churches are important for Catholics and Christians, just as mosques are for Muslims and temples are for Buddhists. These are special places of worships people come to fulfill religious duties as part of their faithful obligations. They come in all sizes, they come in all forms. They have distinct characteristics, yet they have their own uniqueness that make them just perfect for the purpose by which they are made. Very beautiful churches abound the world, including Staten Island church.
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.
Most people think that a church is just that, a building where sermons or masses are heard. In reality, they serve different functions. They can be cathedrals, abbey churches, and basilicas, or they can be none of these, as with the case of the greatest Protestant churches.
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, on the other hand, is fashioned after the basilica structures in the times of Ancient Romans. It follows a longitudinal plan with the center naves extending to two aisles on either sides. However, a basilica has to be chosen and named as such by the pope himself.
There are four known basilicas in the world and most of them are found in Rome, which is not surprising as it is the seat of Christianity. The most popular of the four is the famed Basilica of St. Peter which is a dream destination of people, religious or otherwise. There are also thousands of basilicas all over the world, even outside Europe. A building is often turned into a basilica when it serves as the home of objects that are used in religious veneration, like it houses parts of the True Cross, and other things of similar religious importance. If a church holds under its roof some relics of a saint, it is also granted basilica status, which explains why most churches in areas that has produced a saint has its share of basilicas.
Abbeys are church buildings occupied by monastic orders such as the Franciscans, Augustinians, Jesuits, and other religious societies. Back in the monastic era these does not only feature a place of worship. It often includes an entire complex that caters to the needs of the monks living in it.
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.
Of course, the appearance of the church does not affect its purpose. Whether big or small, humble or intricate, they are still very special places for the faithful. This is where the religious give thanks and worship the Maker they firmly believe in.
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.
Most people think that a church is just that, a building where sermons or masses are heard. In reality, they serve different functions. They can be cathedrals, abbey churches, and basilicas, or they can be none of these, as with the case of the greatest Protestant churches.
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, on the other hand, is fashioned after the basilica structures in the times of Ancient Romans. It follows a longitudinal plan with the center naves extending to two aisles on either sides. However, a basilica has to be chosen and named as such by the pope himself.
There are four known basilicas in the world and most of them are found in Rome, which is not surprising as it is the seat of Christianity. The most popular of the four is the famed Basilica of St. Peter which is a dream destination of people, religious or otherwise. There are also thousands of basilicas all over the world, even outside Europe. A building is often turned into a basilica when it serves as the home of objects that are used in religious veneration, like it houses parts of the True Cross, and other things of similar religious importance. If a church holds under its roof some relics of a saint, it is also granted basilica status, which explains why most churches in areas that has produced a saint has its share of basilicas.
Abbeys are church buildings occupied by monastic orders such as the Franciscans, Augustinians, Jesuits, and other religious societies. Back in the monastic era these does not only feature a place of worship. It often includes an entire complex that caters to the needs of the monks living in it.
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.
Of course, the appearance of the church does not affect its purpose. Whether big or small, humble or intricate, they are still very special places for the faithful. This is where the religious give thanks and worship the Maker they firmly believe in.
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