Final answer:
The sacred space at a shrine is typically marked off by a templon, separating the worshippers from the clergy's area. This concept extends to both formal religious structures and informal sacred spaces created by communities for commemoration or worship.
Step-by-step explanation:
Sacred space at the shrine is marked off by the templon, which serves as a barrier between the naos, where the majority of worshippers are gathered, and the bema, the area where the clergy stands around the altar. This sanctuary barrier is a significant feature in religious architecture, exemplified by the use of chancel slabs, colonnettes, and an epistyle or templon beam in Byzantium churches, which later developed into the iconostasis commonly found in Orthodox churches.
The practice of designating sacred spaces is not only found in grand religious buildings but also in smaller, informal environments, as seen in the impromptu shrines like the 'Bathtub Mary' or memorials at sites of accidents. These sacred spaces, whether formally consecrated by religious figures or informally recognized by the community, highlight the human desire to connect with the divine or commemorate significant events.