exonarthex

English

Etymology

From exo- +‎ narthex.

Noun

exonarthex (plural exonarthexes)

1. (architecture, Christianity) The space anterior to the narthex of a church, sometimes roofed-over as with a porch, but more often an enclosed courtyard; in antiquity, the courtyard where catechumens were permitted to be close to the Eucharist, but forbidden to see it celebrated.
   • 1850, John Mason Neale, A History of the Holy Eastern Church: The Patriarchate of Alexandria:

     The exonarthex is of inferior workmanship, and has been thought by some of later date than the rest of the church; but there seems no ground for this belief.

Coordinate terms

• esonarthex