CHURCH in Rotundo, that whose plan is a perfect circle, in imitation of the Pantheon.
For the form of the ancient Greek churches, when they had all their parts, it was as follows: first was a porch, or portico, called the vault-nave, πρῶτος; this was adorned with columns on the outside, and on the inside surrounded with a wall; in the middle whereof was a door, through which they passed into a second portico. The first of these porticoes was destined for the energumēni, and penitents in the first stage of their repentance; the second was much longer, destined for penitents of the second class, and the catechumens, and hence called νέφος, σερυλα, because those placed in it began to be subject to the discipline of the church. These two porticoes took up about one third of the space of the church. From the second portico they passed into the nave, ναός, which took up near another third of the church. In the middle, or at one side of the nave, was the ambo, where the deacons and priests read the gospel and preached. The nave was destined for the reception of the people, who here assisted at prayers.
Near the entrance of this was the baptistery or font. Beyond the nave was the choir, χορος, set with seats, and round: the first seat on the right, next the sanctuary, being for the cantor, or choragus.
From the choir they ascended by steps to the sanctuary, which was entered at three doors. The sanctuary had three up-sides in its length; a great one in the middle, under which was the altar, crowned with a baldachin, supported by four columns. Under each of the small up-sides, was a kind of table or cupboard, in manner of a beaufet.
Though, of the Greek churches now remaining, few have all the parts above described, most of them having been reduced to ruins or converted into mosques.