IPA: /ˈnɑːrθɛks/
KK: /ˈnɑrθɛks/
A space or area at the entrance of a church, often serving as a lobby or vestibule before entering the main part of the building.
The narthex of the church was beautifully decorated with stained glass windows.
Narthex → It is derived from the Greek word "narthex" (ναρθήξ), meaning a type of enclosure or a box. In architectural terms, it refers to a vestibule or entrance area of a church, symbolizing a space that leads into the sacred area.
Imagine a 'box' or 'enclosure' that leads you into a sacred space — that's what a narthex represents in a church.