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The [[altar]] (sanctuary) is situated in the eastern part of the church, regardless of its shape. A [[bell tower]] is attached to (or built separately by) the western part of the church.
The church building has many symbolic meanings; perhaps the oldest and most prominent is the concept that the Church is the Ark of Salvation (as in [[Noah's Ark]]) in which the world is saved from the flood of temptations. Because of this, most [[Orthodoxy|Orthodox Churches]] are rectangular in design. Another popular shape, especially for churches with large choirs is [[cruciform]] or cross-shaped. Architectural patterns may vary in shape and complexity, with [[chapel]]s sometimes added around the main church, or triple altars (Liturgy may only be performed once a day on any particular altar), but in general, the symbolic layout of the church remains the same.
The Church building is divided into three main parts: the [[narthex]] ([[Vestibule (Architecture)|vestibule]]), the [[nave]] (the temple proper) and the [[sanctuary]] (also called the ''[[altar]]'' or ''holy place'').
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