The symbolism and meaning of every part of God’s house
A church is not merely architecture of stone, wood and ornament. It is a spiritual home, built with sacred symbolism. Every part of the Armenian church has its own particular purpose and theological meaning. Its arrangement is not accidental – it tells the story of the faith, our spiritual journey from darkness into light.
In this article we shall look at the principal parts of the Armenian church and their meaning.
The principal parts of the Armenian church
The Armenian church consists of the following principal parts:
- Gavit – the narthex, the entrance hall of the church
- Atyan – the nave, where the faithful stand
- Tas – the area before the altar, at floor level, where the readers stand
- Khoran – the raised altar dais
- Surp Seghan – the Holy Table (central, left and right altars)
- Baharan – the vestry, for sacred vessels and vestments
- Vernadun – the balcony for the church choir
Why is the entrance in the west and the altar in the east?
Armenian churches always have their entrance on the western side, while the altar is placed to the east. This orientation is not a matter of architectural convenience, but of spiritual symbolism.
The east is the direction from which the sun rises – a symbol of the light of God and of new beginnings.
The west, associated with sunset and darkness, symbolises paganism and ignorance.
When the believer enters the church, they walk from west to east – from darkness into light, from the old life towards the knowledge of the true God.
The altar itself, in the eastern part, symbolises Golgotha – the place where Christ offered Himself in sacrifice for the salvation of the world.
The Tas – the place of the word
The Tas is the part of the church directly before the altar, at floor level and below the raised dais, where the readers stand – those who during the liturgy read the Holy Scriptures, the prayers and the hymns. From here the word of God is heard, addressed to the heart of every believer.
The Baharan – where the sacred objects are kept
The Baharan is the place where the sacred vessels and the liturgical vestments are kept, together with the baptismal font, called the mkrtaran (baptistery). This is also the place where the Sacrament of Baptism is performed – the spiritual birth of a person.
The Vernadun – the choir balcony
The Vernadun, or church balcony, is set aside for the church choir. The choir symbolises the angels of heaven, who unceasingly praise the Lord. For this reason it is set apart from the congregation and placed higher – not out of pride, but as a reminder that music in church is prayer in melody.
The Gavit – the door to a new life
The narthex of the church, or gavit, was in antiquity a place for the unbaptised, the penitent and those not admitted to Communion. They were not permitted to take part in the full liturgy until they had prepared themselves spiritually. This space is symbolic – it reminds us that entering the house of God calls for inner purity and a striving towards repentance.
Symbolism that leads us to God
Every part of the Armenian church is filled with meaning – not merely architectural, but spiritual. From the door of the church to the Holy Table, everything speaks of the path of a person towards salvation, of faith, hope and love. Knowing the symbols of the church helps us to experience the service more deeply and to understand better the presence of God in our lives.