Editing Cathedral (section)

==== Baptisteries ====

The baptistery in the Dura church was about 1m square and 1m deep; baptismal candidates could stand in it, but could not be immersed. In the new cathedrals, as had been the case before, only bishops baptised; and ceremonies were held not more than twice a year to allow for suitable periods of instruction. So baptisteries needed to be greatly increased in size, with associated accommodation to ensure privacy in undressing, anointing and redressing; and the baptismal tank, commonly octagonal, was now fully deep enough for total immersion, and wide enough to accommodate both the candidate and an assisting male or female deacon. Baptisteries commonly adopted centralised plan forms derived from funerary chapels; and are invariably separate from the congregational basilica.
[[File:(Albi) Palais de la Berbie, depuis le Vieux Pont.jpg|left|thumb|The {{ill|Palais de la Berbie|fr|Palais de la Berbie|lt=Palais de la Berbie,}} an episcopal palace in [[Albi]], France]]