added etymology of "basilica" - "from the Latin basilica "building of a court of justice," from Greek (stoa) basilike "royal (portal)," in Athens the portico of the archon basileus, the (high) official who dispensed justice in Athens..."
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A '''basilica''' is a [[Christian]] structure designed for worship. It consists of a lengthy, rectangular shape having an [[apse]] at one end. It is divided by a row of columns and surrounded by an aisle. Windows in the upper part of the central [[nave]] provide lighting. The altar is within or before the apse that arches from the nave. Its width is never greater than one-half its length.
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A '''basilica''' is a [[Christian]] structure designed for worship. The word comes from the Latin ''basilica'' "building of a court of justice," from Greek (stoa) ''basilike'' "royal (portal)," in Athens the portico of the ''archon basileus'', the (high) official who dispensed justice in Athens; from the feminine adjective of ''basileus'' "king". A basilica consists of a lengthy, rectangular shape having an [[apse]] at one end. It is divided by a row of columns and surrounded by an aisle. Windows in the upper part of the central [[nave]] provide lighting. The altar is within or before the apse that arches from the nave. Its width is never greater than one-half its length.
In [[Roman Catholicism]], basilicas are large and important [[churches]] designated by the [[Pope]].
In [[Roman Catholicism]], basilicas are large and important [[churches]] designated by the [[Pope]].