Contribution to the research concerning katechoumena in Serbian medieval churches

Abstract

The paper examines the terminology concerning the institution of the catechumenate and the influence that that institution had on the form and function of the architectural space named katechoumena, in the Serbian medieval architecture. Reviewing, in parallel, the literary sources and the evidence, the author shows that, although its functions still remain unclear the space of katehoumena in Serbian medieval churches was located in the upper storey of the narthex or exonarthex of the church and had direct communication with the nave.