The porch - what is it? Interpretation of the word and its etymology

The expression "like beggars on the porch" is known to everyone, and it is possible to guess what this word means by a familiar expression. However, to give an accurate definition of the word, to explain, what is that, can not everyone.

Architectural concept

This church porch or open space at the entrance to the church is the usual definition given in dictionaries. There is also such a site in front of the porch.

Before we get to the church, we'll get on the porch. Photos of several architectural options in front of you.

In the Christian tradition, the porch is the space before the entrance to the temple, the first eminence. Usually it is led to several stages.

But at different times and the height on which the porch was located, and its arrangement were different.

There was a time when this site towered above the ground a few meters. There are many examples of such temples. To the porch in such cases leads a high staircase.

According to other architectural canons, this must necessarily be a covered space, often quite extensive.

More often two or three steps lead to the porch, while the staircase surrounds it on three sides.

Symbolism

When asked what the church porch is, its ministers will answer: "This is a symbol of spiritual elevation above the world." To be more precise and to consider the temple architecture, it can be noted that Orthodox churches have a stepped structure. The higher the building, the already becomes each next floor. The narrowest part is the space before the dome. It is a symbol of the fact that not many reach the highest spiritual enlightenment - "in the highest heaven."

The church's canon is located in the west. After all, this is the entrance to the temple, that is, the symbol of distance from darkness and approach to light - to the east, to the rising of the sun.

But there is another answer to the question: "What is Pepper?" For a clergyman, this is the place where people go before they take monastic vows. This action symbolizes renunciation of worldly life.

Since ancient times, this is the place where the penitents gather, to whom the entrance to the church itself is ordered, and they are forced to pray at the first elevation, until they pray their sins. They ask in prayer for their speedy forgiveness, healing.

Here, those who need help and begging for alms from passers-by going to the service gather. Unfortunately, over the years more and more professional beggars began to gather in the porch, who ask not for want, but use alms as a kind of earnings. паперть. Thus, for beggars, the place of income was the porch. What needs to be done to change this situation? The servants of the church recommend not to give money to everyone, but to try to find out what the problem is, then pray for those in need of a temple.

Origin

Where did this word come from - the porch? What does this mean in the etymological sense?

porta, переводится как "дверь", "ворота". There are several assumptions, but still the most plausible and accepted is the education from the Old Slavonic word "pirt", which means "door", in Latin with the same root is the word porta, translated as "door", "gate".

The literal meaning of the word "porch" is "the porch, the vestibule". Indeed, one can find in the explanations to the word one more definition - the outer porch.