ambonoclast

Meaning

Noun

• One who wishes to excessively modernize churches, particularly by removing traditional screens.

Origin

• From Ancient Greek ἄμβωνος (ambonos), genitive form of ἄμβων (ambos) "rim, edge", and κλαστός (klastos) "broken". Hence, literally, "one who wishes to tear down screens", in reference to the rood screens that separated the chancel (where priests were) from the nave (where the congregation was) in a medieval church.