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 The
Altar which lies beyond the Iconostasis, is set aside for those who perform
the Divine services, and normally persons not consecrated to the service
of the Church are not permitted to enter. Occupying the central place
in the Altar is the Holy Table (Russian - Prestol), which represents the
Throne of God, with the Lord Himself invisibly present there. It also
represents the Tomb of Christ, since His Body (the Holy Gifts) is placed
there. The Holy Table is square in shape and is covered by two coverings.
The first, inner covering, is of white linen, representing the winding-sheet
in which the Body of the Lord was wrapped. The outer cloth is made of
rich and bright material, representing the glory of God's Throne. Both
cloths cover the Holy Table to the ground.
Antimension
In the first centuries of Christianity, the Divine Liturgy was celebrated
on the tombs of the Martyrs and this was celebrated by the Bishop. Later,
as the Church expanded and the size of a typical Diocese with it, the
Bishops of the early Church began to ordain Priests as their representatives
to the growing number of Christian communities. Only with the Bishop's
permission could a community and its Priest serve the Liturgy and the
same holds true today. One of the vehicles by which these important ancient
practices are effected today is a simple piece of cloth, folded within
another, and resting always on the Holy Table of every Orthodox church
- the Antimension.
The Antimension is a rectangular piece of cloth, gold in color, measuring
about 18 by 24 inches, and while on the Holy Table it is folded within
another cloth, red in color, called the Iliton, which represents the swaddling
clothes and the burial shroud of Jesus Christ. Depicted on the top of
the Antimension is an Icon of the Burial of Christ, along with Icons of
the four Evangelists, as well as Saints Basil the Great and John Chrysostom,
for whom the usual Divine Liturgies are named. Sewn into every Antimension
is an incorruptible relic of a Saint, making real the early liturgical
connection with the Martyrs who died rather than renounce Christ, and
whose blood, after the Blood of Christ, formed the very foundation of
the Church.
Printed on every Antimension are the words: "By the grace of the
All-Holy, Lifegiving Spirit, this Antimension, the Holy Table, is consecrated
for the Offering on it of the Body and Blood of our Lord in the Divine
Liturgy." Each one is signed by the ruling Bishop of the Diocese
and placed on the Holy Table, constituting his permission for the community
to exist as an Orthodox parish and to celebrate the Liturgy. This is so,
since true Christianity has always held that without the Bishop there
is no Church and through the Bishop comes our unity of Faith and Communion
which is Orthodoxy.
The word Antimension is a combination of Greek and Latin which means in
place of the table. While Holy Tables were always to have been consecrated
and relics placed inside of them, it was not always possible for the Bishop
to visit each community to do so. For that reason, Bishops consecrated
cloths or boards and sent them to each community to be used in place of
the consecrated Holy Table. This also allowed for portable Holy Tables
for travelers. The use of the Antimension is mandatory, even on Holy Tables
which have been consecrated, and a Priest is not permitted to celebrate
the Divine Liturgy without it. Military Chaplains and Missionaries also
use it instead of the table when serving in remote areas.
 Also
placed on the Holy Table are two indispensible items: the Cross and the
Book of the Gospels, The Cross is placed there both as a sign of Christ's
victory over the Devil and of our deliverance. Since the Lamb of God was
slain on the Cross for our salvation, it is especially appropriate that
it be placed upon the Holy Table where the Bloodless Sacrifice is offered
"on behalf of all and for all." As it is the Word of God, the
Book of the Holy Gospels is placed on the Holy Table, signifying that
God is mystically present. It is usually richly-adorned and as it is the
Book of Life, its Governing may not be of the skins of dead animals (i.e.,
leather), but is usually made of precious metals adorned with jewels.
At the center of the cover is usually represented Christ, with the four
Evangelists - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - at the four corners.
As the Holy Table represents the sepulchre of the Lord, upon it, at the
rear, is placed the Ark (or Tabernacle), so-called because of its general
shape, within which are placed the Holy Gifts {Reserved Sacrament) used
for the Communion of the sick. Candlesticks are also placed on the Holy
Table, signifying the Light of Christ which illumines the world.
In addition to the above, a natural (not artificial) Sponge is usually
placed beside the Antimension with which to brush off the particles from
the Paten into the Chalice. Also found is a vessel containing the Holy
Chrism used for Chrismation, and also a Sick-Call Kit (the Ciborium) within
which are to be found a small chest for the Holy Gifts, a small Chalice
and Spoon, a small vessel for wine and a sponge to clean the Chalice with.
In addition, a small chest, called the Artophorion is placed on the Holy
Table during Great Lent, within which is placed the consecrated Lamb(s)
used for the Presanctified Liturgy (if the same is not placed in the Tabernacle).
Often a canopy is suspended over the Holy Table, representing the heavens
over the earth, from which is suspended a dove with outstretched wings
(the Fix), representing the Holy Spirit. (In many places, the pre-sanctified
Lamb was placed in the Pix during Great Lent.)
Behind the Holy Table a seven-branched Candlestick is usually placed (seven
being the sacred number), and sometimes a large Processional Cross. Behind
this, at the extreme East end of the Altar is a raised place, called the
High Place (or Bema), upon which is placed the Cathedra (Bishop's Throne),
with seats for the Priests on either side. During the Liturgy, the Priests
(representing the Holy Apostles) sit at either side of the Bishop (representing
the King of Glory). [In modern times, the Cathedra is usually found only
in Cathedrals and large Monasteries.]
On either side of the Bishop's Throne arc placed ceremonial Fans, with
which, in ancient times, the Holy Gifts were fanned to keep away insects.
Now they are carried in solemn processions, signifying the six-winged
Seraphim who minister at the Divine services, and who are represented
iconographically upon them. Above the High Place is an Icon of the Savior
and on both sides Icons of the Holy Apostles or (more often) Holy Bishops.
Before the Icon of the Savior is suspended a lampada, called the High
Light. |
