Atrium In ancient churches, between the first porch, called the propylaeum, or vestibulum magnum, and the church itself, was a large area or square plot of ground, which the Latins called atrium or impluvium, because it was a court open to the air without any covering. It was surrounded by cloisters. In this place stood the first class of penitents, according to Eusebius, who says it was the mansion of those who were not allowed to enter farther into the church. They generally stood in this porch to beg the prayers of the faithful. — Binghamn, Orig. Eccl. bk. 8, ch. 3, § 5.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More