Peristasis (architecture)

{{Short description|Hallway of columns in some styles of Greek temple}}

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Image:Peripteros.svg with a peristasis between the columns (dots) and the walls]]

The peristasis ({{langx|grc|περίστασις}}) was a four-sided porch or hallway of columns surrounding the cella (naos) in an ancient Greek peripteral temple. This allowed priests to pass round the cella (along a pteron) in cultic processions.

If such a hall of columns surrounds a patio or garden, it is called a peristyle rather than a peristasis.

In ecclesial architecture, it is also used to designate the area between the baluster of a Catholic church and the high altar (what is usually called the sanctuary or chancel).{{Citation |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1515/9783110910162.850 |work=Text und Textwert der griechischen Handschriften des Neuen Testaments, Band 2, Das Matthäusevangelium |place=Berlin, Boston |publisher=DE GRUYTER |doi=10.1515/9783110910162.850 |access-date=2022-03-26|title=Text und Textwert der Griechischen Handschriften des Neuen Testaments |year=2003 |isbn=9783110910162 |url-access=subscription }}