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Curtain (2)

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Curtain

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Curteis, Thomas, D.D.

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(cortina, aukeum, velum; βῆλον, παραπέρασμα, καταπέτασμα, ἀμφίθυρον ). Curtains were used in ancient churches for the following purposes:

(1) to hang over the outer doorway of the church;

(2) to close the doorway between the nave of the church and the sanctuary, or perhaps rather to hil the open panels or cancelli of the door, during the time of the consecration of the eucharist;

(3) to fill the space between the pillars of the ciborium, or canopy of the altar;

(4) curtains were also used in baptisteries. Curtchew (Cutchou, or Cowslan) is apparently an early Scottish name for ST. CONSTANTINE (See CONSTANTINE )(q.v.).