Christian architecture is striking in its uniqueness. In the Orthodox building tradition, one can find majestic Cathedrals that can accommodate several thousand people, small churches and very small chapels, where several dozen people can hardly fit. In Christianity, there is a significant difference between temples and chapels.
A temple in the Orthodox Christian tradition is the name of the corresponding building, consecrated with a special rite, in which services are held, including the divine liturgy. There is always an altar in the temple, inside of which there is an altar. Thrones can be different. For example, portable and stationary. The main thing is that particles of the relics of the holy martyrs should be placed in the throne. This is a tribute to the ancient tradition of celebrating the liturgy on the graves of martyrs (relics of saints). An antimension must be kept on the throne, which is a plate with the image of Christ lying in the tomb. The liturgy cannot be celebrated without the throne and antimension. Thus, the main indicator in defining a temple is not just the size of the structure, but the presence of a consecrated throne with an antimension. If this exists and the Divine Liturgy is performed constantly, then the building may well be called a temple. In the temple, in addition to the altar, there is also a central part, where the faithful are during prayer, and there may also be a porch.
The main difference between the chapel and the temple is the absence of the holy throne and antimension. In such a building, it is possible to hold prayers, requiems, funerals, perform other services and even divine services, but not the divine liturgy. The main service of Christians cannot be accomplished without an antimension.
Sometimes a small throne with an antimension is brought to the chapel for a while in order to celebrate the Liturgy. In some chapels this is done very often, therefore such buildings may be called "temple-chapel". Sometimes they can also name small temples in which services are temporarily held until the construction of the main temple or the cathedral of the entire church complex is completed.
