exonarthex

plural exonarthexes · plural exonarthices

1. ChristianityThe 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.

   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.

   1850, John Mason Neale, A History of the Holy Eastern Church: The Patriarchate of Alexandria