Chancel 780816 208795708 2008-04-28T17:39:50Z GuillaumeTell 689100 dab [[Image:Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church 2007.jpg|thumb|right|400px|Chancel area of [[Brown Memorial Presbyterian Church]], [[Baltimore, Maryland]], [[United States|USA]], with raised level]] In [[Protestant]] [[church (building)|church]]es the '''chancel''' is the space around the [[altar]] at the east end, often enclosed, for use by the [[clergy]]. It may terminate in an [[apse]]. In [[Roman Catholic]] and various [[Orthodox Christianity|Orthodox]] churches, this part of the church is more commonly referred to as the [[sanctuary]] or [[presbytery (architecture)|presbytery]]. Following the exposition of the doctrine of [[transubstantiation]] at the fourth [[Lateran Council]] of 1215, clergy were required to ensure that the [[eucharist|blessed sacrament]] was to be kept protected from irreverant access or abuse; and accordingly the area of the church used by the lay congregation was to be screened off from that used by the clergy. This distinction was enforced by the development of [[canon law]], by which the construction and upkeep of the chancel was the responsibility of the [[rector]], whereas the construction and upkeep of the nave was the responsibility of the [[parish]]. The distinction, both legal and ritual, between nave and chancel is maintained in the [[Book of Common Prayer]]. As well as the altar, the chancel usually houses the [[credence table]], and seats for officiating and assisting [[minister (Christianity)|minister]]s. In [[Anglican]] churches it will usually include the [[choir]]. In some traditions, the [[pulpit]] and [[lectern]] may be in the chancel, but in others these functions are considered proper to the [[nave]]. The chancel is typically raised somewhat above the level of the nave, where the congregation gathers. It may be separated from the [[nave]] by a [[rood screen]], a rail, or an open space. In some churches, the congregation may gather on three sides or in a semicircle around the chancel. The word "chancel" derives from the French usage of ''chancel'' from a [[Late Latin]] word ''cancelli'' meaning "lattice".<ref>{{cite web | last =Harper | first =Douglas | title =Chancel | work =Online Etymology Dictionary |date=November 2001 | url =http://www.etymonline.com/index.php?l=c&p=9 | accessdate =2008-01-02}}</ref> This refers to the [[rood screen]]. ==References== <references /> [[Category:Church architecture]] {{architecture-stub}} [[pl:Prezbiterium]] [[ru:Алтарь]]