So recently I spent a semester in Florence, and while there I went to the Great Synagogue and it sparked my interest in reading up on original Syriac architecture. I read the book The Architecture and Liturgy of the Bema in Fourth to Sixth Century Syrian Churches by Emma Loosley. The bema is essentially a platform for the liturgy of the word derived from the Jewish tradition and not considered part of the sanctuary.
From the book, I gathered this is a normative set up of the bema:
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As a general discussion, does anyone disagree with my normative diagram? What are the implications of implementing seemingly archaic church architecture? Does the termination of its liturgical use testify to it not being worth the use or does its re-implimentation seem promising?
From the book, I gathered this is a normative set up of the bema:
As a general discussion, does anyone disagree with my normative diagram? What are the implications of implementing seemingly archaic church architecture? Does the termination of its liturgical use testify to it not being worth the use or does its re-implimentation seem promising?