Decani

For other uses, see Dečani (disambiguation).

Decani (/dɪˈkeɪnaɪ/; Latin: 'of the dean') is the side of a church choir occupied by the Dean.^[1] In English churches, this is typically the choir stalls on the south side of the chancel. The opposite side is known as Cantoris.^[2] The abbreviations "Dec." and "Can." are used. ^[3][4]

Evensong in York Minster, looking down the nave from beside the main altar; notice the choir arrangement into decani or Dean's side (as seen here, the left side) and cantoris or Cantor's side (here, the right side).

Stalls assigned to Decanus (left) and Praecentor (right) at Lincoln Cathedrals's St Hugh's Choir

The association of the Dean with the south side has propagated from the Sarum (now Salisbury Cathedral) liturgical norm, a practice that then propagated through pre-Reformation England and Wales.^[5] There are some notable exceptions in the monastic cathedrals, where the senior cleric under the bishop was the prior; he often sat on the liturgical north.^[5] Hence, in Durham Cathedral, Ely Cathedral, St Davids Cathedral, Carlisle Cathedral, and Southwell Minster, decani is on the north.

See also

• Epistle side