''Synthronon'' (; plural: σύνθρονα, ''synthrona'') is a semicircular tiered structure at the back of the altar in the liturgical

apse In architecture, an apse (: apses; from Latin , 'arch, vault'; from Ancient Greek , , 'arch'; sometimes written apsis; : apsides) is a semicircular recess covered with a hemispherical Vault (architecture), vault or semi-dome, also known as an ' ...

of an

Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...

church that combines benches reserved for the clergy, with the bishop's throne in the centre. The term is known from at least the 5th century. Some of the well-preserved ''synthrona'' exist in the 6th-century

Byzantine The Byzantine Empire, also known as the Eastern Roman Empire, was the continuation of the Roman Empire centred on Constantinople during late antiquity and the Middle Ages. Having survived the events that caused the fall of the Western Roman E ...

churches of Saint Irene and

Saint Euphemia Euphemia (; 'well-spoken f), known as Euphemia the All-praised in the Eastern Orthodox Church, was a virgin martyr, who died for her faith at Chalcedon in 303 AD. According to tradition, Euphemia was martyred for refusing to offer sacrifices t ...

Constantinople Constantinople (#Names of Constantinople, see other names) was a historical city located on the Bosporus that served as the capital of the Roman Empire, Roman, Byzantine Empire, Byzantine, Latin Empire, Latin, and Ottoman Empire, Ottoman empire ...

. These structures were high enough to allow a space for a passage underneath and along the apse wall. According to the 8th-century Pseudo-Germanos, the bishop's ascent to the ''synthronon'' symbolized both Christ's sacrifice and subsequent glory, while the hierarch seated on the throne and flanked by the clergy represented Christ among his disciples.

References

Byzantine sacred architecture Eastern Christian liturgy Thrones {{Church-architecture-stub