CHURCH-YARD, the space of ground surrounding the church, used as a cemetery or burial-ground. The entrance to our old church-yards was frequently through a gate covered with a projecting roof, called the lyeh-gate, under which the coffin was rested before entering the ground ; and opposite the porch, was a lofty stone cross elevated on one or more steps, and frequently adorned with the emblems of the Evangelists, and other enrichments. Near the cross was planted a yew-tree, whose boughs were carried in procession on Palm Sunday, and used at other times to decorate the interior of the church.
The unwholesome practice of interment in towns is being discontinued, and consequently the church-yard in such cases is in a great measure dispensed with ; where practicable, however, the church should be contained within a walled enclosure. The best model for an extra-mural cemetery, is that lately planned at Oxford : cemeteries are usually objectionable, on account of being made the subjects of speculation and pecuniary profit.
C11301:11TM, in eccleidastical antiquity, the covering of an altar; being an insulated edifice, consisting of four columns supporting a dome. The ciborium was used during the lower and middle ages ; but was afterwards superseded by the baldachin. See BALDACDTN.
The most magnificent ciborium ever known, was that erected by Justinian, in the church of St. Sophia, at Con stantinople. it consisted of four large red Marble columns, supporting a silver dome, surmounted with a globe of massy gold, weighing 118 and surrounded with lilies of gold, !idling in festoons, weighing 116 pounds ; and in the inkldle was a cross of the same metal, weighing 75 pounds, covered with the most rare and precious jewels.