Page 169 - รวมเล่มศาสนาในประเทศไทย ภาคภาษาอังกฤษ

Church location. Semipublic oratories are open to all Christian for prayer,
under permission of the caretaker of that institution. Oratory is similar
The church is a sacred place, known as the “Home of
to the Private Chapel in many ways.
God,” where religious ceremonies are performed for the benefit of the
The Christian religious buildings built by human hands
Christians. Normally, before building a church, official permission
may not be considered the true cathedral or church. Humanity of
from the Bishop of that diocese or the parish church is needed. There
the Jesus Christ is symbolically the Temple of God. Through the
would be ritual ceremonies of consecration before the construction
Baptist, all Christianity's body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. The
begins and blessings when the title is given. The name must remain
Holy Trinity (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit) resides within
with the Church and cannot be changed. A church may only cease
every baptized Christian. The church itself is just a building to have
functioning if it is damaged beyond repair and cannot be restored.
the Holy Spirit invoked.
The church can also be used for different social and community
functions when permitted. In earliest times, even a person’s home The church has architectural elements related to its
could be where Christians perform ritual ceremonies. Roman Catholic religious purpose, in the form of design, décor, and symbolic objects
Christians in Thailand normally call a church "Wat", for example; Wat used in the building, and by its surrounding landscapes
Mae Phra Look Prakham (The Holy Rosary Church, also known as
Church Courtyard, the front courtyard is the reception
Kalawar), Wat Saint Louis (Saint Louis Church, Sathorn), etc. The
area for people attending the ceremony, and sometimes is used for
church architecture is mostly European style. In the meanwhile, the
ceremonies too. This empty space prepares attendees to adjust them-
Protestant Christians in Thailand usually use the word "Church" to
selves by leaving the complexity of a normal layman’s life before
describe their religious structures, such as Calvary Baptist Church,
stepping into the peaceful world of the church.
Hope of Bangkok Church, Streams of Blessings Church, etc. In a
Protestant church, a simple style of architecture is normally used, Sanctuary or the Altar area, inside a church is a
with no emphasis on images or statues. A simple cross is the main separated section because it is the ecclesial part where the priests
ornament used as a symbol of their religious place. or a Bishop perform the ritual ceremonies. The altar dominates as
the center of the religious ceremony, typically is made of a material
Private Chapel of great beauty in order to pay respects as something extraordinary

A private chapel is a place where ritual ceremonies fine and appropriate. A lectern is placed nearby on which sits the
are performed for personal or private use, such as weddings, Holy Bible, itself held in a stand of specially designed characters to
memorials, etc. It cannot be used for other purposes, except for represent the seat of the Word of God.
religious ceremonies. Each Bishop may have his own personal Bell Tower and Bell, The bell, which is located in a
chapel to worship privately. However, if it is needed for public use, tall Bell Tower on the church grounds, serves as a signal calling for
permission must be requested from the parish church in advance. Christian adherents to congregate in commermoration of God for
A private chapel may also be located in areas of convenience and regular services or on a special day, such as those days of celebration
need, such as in hospitals, etc. of festivals and events. The bell may be rung to signify particular
Oratory hour and time for worshippers to go to church, perhaps to attend
wedding, funeral, or other services, or is used within the liturgy
Oratory refers to a church that is located in a school,
of the church service, for worshippers to go to church, time for
university, or in a private house. It is a smaller church used for
communion, for celebration and for memorial services.
ritual ceremonies for the benefit of certain groups of Christians

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