Impluvium

Impluvium anciently a large area or spot of ground between the great porch of the church and the church itself. Because uncovered and exposed to the air, it was called atrium or impluvium. Eusebius called it αἴθριον. "In this court or church-yard was the station of the energumens (q.v.), and that class of penitents called προσκλαίοντες or flentes. These persons were commonly entitled χειμάζοντες or χειμαζόμενοι, from the circumstance of their standing in the open air, exposed to all changes of the weather" (Riddle, Christian Antiq. p. 725 sq.). The practice of burning their dead in the impluvium was initiated in the 4th century, but it did not become general until after the 6th century. There were also frequently buildings auxiliary to the church edifice placed in the impluvium, such as the baptisteries, places where the candidates of the Church were instructed and prepared for baptism, etc. See Farrar, Eccles. Dict. s.v. (J. H. W.)