By analogy with a vessel, the main part of a church, accommodating the faithful and located between the portal and the transept or choir.

Part of the church comprising the sanctuary, the space around the altar where the liturgical ceremony of the Eucharist takes place, and the area reserved for the clergy. Originally, it housed the singers or the choir of monks singing the services.

Table of the Eucharistic sacrifice where, during Mass, the bread and wine are consecrated and become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.

Stone, wood or metal baldachin with four columns supporting a symbolic vault. In early basilicas, it covered the altar to honor the tomb of a saint, apostle or martyr, located below the altar. It appears in churches mainly between the 4th and 13th centuries.

Fom the Latin arca, chest, cupboard, in the Bible this is the chest built by the Israelites at God’s command (Exodus 25:8-22). It contained the Tables of the Law (the Ten Commandments) given by God to Moses on Sinai. The ark symbolizes God’s presence among his people.

Former main altar, usually located at the back of the choir in a church. Often highly ornate, surmounted by an altarpiece. Since the liturgical reform of the Second Vatican Council (1963-1965), new altars have been installed in a more central position, so as to celebrate facing the congregation.

From Latin retro tabula altaris, behind the altar. In a church, an ornamental panel, piece of furniture or vertical construction bearing painted or sculpted decoration. It is placed on or behind an altar.

Literally “tent of the desert” in the Bible, housing the Ark of the Covenant. In churches, this word refers to the small cupboard containing the Eucharistic reserve, consecrated hosts for the communion of the sick. A night-light indicates the real presence of Christ.

According to the vision in Revelation (5, 8), the last book of the Bible « When he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints…. »

The last book of the New Testament, written at the end of the 1st century and attributed to Saint John. It is a set of symbolic visions that announces Christ’s triumph over the powers of evil to persecuted Christians.

Representation of the mysterious reality of a single God in the loving unity of three distinct, equal and indivisible persons, the Father, the Son and the Spirit. Christians have come to understand the depth of this revelation through the teachings and life of Jesus.

Wife of Joseph and mother of Jesus. A young Jewish girl, daughter of Anne and Joachim, she shared her people’s expectation of the Messiah. She learns from the archangel Gabriel that the child she is carrying is from God and will be called “Son of the Most High” (Luke 1, 31-32).

One of Christ’s main disciples, mentioned in the Synoptic Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. Identified with one of the 4 Evangelists, men from the group of Apostles or their entourage who wrote down the Gospel, the teaching and message of salvation of Christ Jesus.

A Parisian goldsmith who founded Ateliers d’art religieux Chéret in 1923, creating liturgical objects and church decorations in the Art Deco style of the time, using the skills of artists and designers. After his son Jean, who succeeded him, the company continues to operate today.

Author of one of the four Gospels recording the teaching, life, death and resurrection of Jesus, as well as the narrative of the Acts of the Apostles. A disciple of Paul and a physician, he wrote in a Gentile environment for non-Jews and with consideration for the poor and sinners.