Editing Altar (section)

===Eastern Christian Rites===
====Byzantine Rite====<!-- "Holy Table" redirects here -->
[[File:Sankt Petersburg Auferstehungskirche innen 2005 a.jpg|thumb|left|A traditional [[Russian Orthodox]] Holy Table (altar), [[Church of the Saviour on the Blood]], [[St. Petersburg]]]]

In [[Greek language|Greek]], the word {{mvar|βωμός}} ({{Lang|grc-latn|bômós}}) can mean an altar of any religion or, in a broader sense, the area surrounding it; that is to say, the entire [[sanctuary]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2005/10/byzantine-altar.html#.WhmVz0pl_tQ |author=Abbot Joseph |title=The Byzantine Altar |website=newliturgicalmovement.org |date=October 2005}}</ref> In an [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] or a [[Byzantine Rite]] [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholic]] church this sanctuary includes both the area behind the [[iconostasis]], and the [[soleas]] (the elevated projection in front of the iconostasis), and the [[Ambon (liturgy)|ambo]]. It is also called the ''βῆμα'' ([[Bema#Christianity|bema]]). When one enters the sanctuary, one is said to be going into the {{Lang|grc|βωμός}} or {{Lang|grc|βῆμα}}. The altar itself in such a church may be referred to as either the “Holy Table” (Greek: {{Lang|grc|Ἁγία Τράπεζα}}) or the “Throne” ([[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]]: {{Lang|cu-latn|Prestól}}).

For both Eastern Orthodox and Byzantine Eastern Catholics, the Holy Table (altar) is normally free-standing, although in very small sanctuaries it might be flush against the back wall for reasons of space. They are typically about one meter high, and may be made of stone or more often, wood. The exact dimensions may vary, but it is generally square in [[Floor plan|plan]] and of reasonable proportion with respect to the size of the sanctuary. It has five legs: one at each corner plus a central pillar for holding the [[relics]] placed within it at its [[consecration]].{{efn|
If, however, the consecration was not performed by a bishop, but by a priest whom he delegated for that purpose, relics are not placed in the Holy Table.
}}A plain [[linen]] covering (Greek: {{Lang|grc-latn|Katasarkion}}, Slavonic: {{Lang|cu-latn|Strachítsa}}) is bound to the Holy Table with cords; this is never removed once the altar is consecrated, and is considered to be its “[[baptismal garment]]”. The linen covering symbolizes the [[Epitaphios (liturgical)|winding sheet]] which wrapped the body of Christ he was laid in the [[Holy Sepulchre|tomb]]. Since the altar is therefore never seen uncovered after this, it tends to be constructed more with sturdiness than aesthetics in mind. Above this first linen cover is a second, ornamented [[altar cloth]] ({{Lang|cu-latn|Indítia}}), often of a [[brocade]] in the [[liturgical color]] reflecting the feast or changing [[liturgical year|ecclesiastical season]]. This outer covering usually reaches the floor and represents the glory of God’s [[Throne]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Isabel |last=Hapgood |title=Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church |publisher=Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese |year=1975 |page=614}}</ref> Many churches place a dust cover on the Holy Table between use, and it is often a simple red cloth or richer material. Sometimes, the cloth covers only the [[Gospel Book]] or the front half of the Holy Table, but it may be large enough to cover the entire Holy Table and items on it, including [[Dikirion and trikirion|liturgical candlesticks]] and the [[Menorah (Temple)|seven-branched candelabra]].

[[File:Saint Vladimir Skete (Valaam Monastery) 14.jpg|thumb|The Holy Place (sanctuary) in the church of the Saint Vladimir Skete at [[Valaam Monastery]]. To the left is the [[Holy Table]] (altar) with the [[Gospel Book]], the [[Church tabernacle|tabernacle]], and the [[Menorah (Temple)|seven-branch candlestand]]. The [[Table of Oblation]] is in the background to the left. To the right is the [[cathedra]] (bishop's throne).]]

Atop the altar is the [[Church tabernacle|tabernacle]] ({{Lang|cu-latn|Kovtchég}}), a miniature shrine sometimes built in the form of a church, inside of which is a small ark containing the [[reserved sacrament]] for use in communing the sick. Also kept on the altar is the [[Gospel Book]], under which is the ''[[antimension]],'' a [[silk]]en cloth imprinted with an [[icon]] of [[Deposition from the Cross|Christ being prepared for burial]], with a [[relic]] sewn into it and the signature of the [[bishop]]. The [[Divine Liturgy]] must be served on an antimension, even if the altar is consecrated and contains relics. A simpler cloth called the {{Lang|cu-latn|ilitón}} is wrapped around the antimension to protect it, and symbolizes the “napkin” tied around the face of Jesus when he was laid in the tomb (thus a companion to the {{Lang|cu-latn|strachitsa}}). When not in use, the antimension is left in the center of the Holy Table, and is never removed unless necessary.

The Holy Table may only be touched by [[Holy orders|ordained]] members of the higher clergy{{efn|
Here, the "higher clergy" are [[bishop]]s, [[priest]]s, and [[deacon]]s.
}} and nothing unconsecrated nor the object of veneration should be placed on it. Objects may also be placed on the altar as part of setting them aside for sacred use. For example, [[icon]]s are usually blessed by laying them on the Holy Table for a period of time or for a certain number of Divine Liturgies before sprinkling them with [[holy water]], and enshrining them wherever they will be [[veneration|venerated]]. The [[Epitaphios (liturgical)|''Epitaphios'']] on [[Good Friday]], and the [[Cross]] on the [[Feasts of the Cross]], are also placed on the Holy Table before they are taken to the center of the church to be venerated by the faithful.

In place of a fabric outer covering, some altars have a permanent, solid cover which may be highly ornamented, richly carved, or even plated in precious metals. A smaller brocade cover is placed on this if the colour of the altar decoration is meant to reflect the liturgical season.

[[File:At altar.JPG|thumb|left|A contemporary [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church|Byzantine Catholic]] altar during the [[Divine Liturgy]] at [[St. Joseph the Betrothed Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church|St. Joseph Church]] in [[Chicago, Illinois]].]]

The Holy Table is the place for offering the [[Eucharist]], where bread and wine are offered to [[God the Father]] and the [[Holy Spirit in Christianity|Holy Spirit]] is [[Epiclesis|invoked]] to make his Son [[Jesus]] [[Christ]] present in the Gifts. It is also where presiding [[clergy]] stand at any service, even when no Eucharist is being celebrated and no offering is made other than [[prayer]]. When the priest reads the Gospel during [[Matins]] (or an [[All-Night Vigil]]) on Sunday, he reads it standing in front of the Holy Table, because it represents the Tomb of Christ, and the Gospel lessons for Sunday Matins are always one of the [[Resurrection appearances of Jesus]].

On the northern side of the sanctuary stands another, smaller altar, known as the [[Table of Oblation]] ({{Lang|grc-latn|Prothesis}} or {{Lang|cu-latn|Zhértvennik}}) at which the [[Liturgy of Preparation]] takes place. On it are prepared the bread and wine before the [[Divine Liturgy]]. The Prothesis symbolizes the cave at [[Bethlehem]] and also the [[Holy Sepulchre#Modern arrangement of the church|Anointing Stone]] at which the [[Body of Christ]] was prepared after the [[Deposition from the Cross]]. A new Table of Oblation is also blessed, sprinkled with [[holy water]], and vested at the consecration of a church, but no relics placed within. Nothing other than sacred vessels, [[veil]]s, etc. used in the Liturgy of Preparation may be placed on the Table of Oblation. The Epitaphios and Cross are also placed on the Table of Oblation before the priest and deacon solemnly transfer these to the Holy Table. In addition to higher clergy, [[subdeacon]]s are permitted to touch the Table of Oblation, but no one of lesser rank may do so. This is where a deacon will consume any remaining Gifts ([[Eucharist|Body and Blood of Christ]]) after the Divine Liturgy and perform the [[ablution in Christianity|ablutions]].

====Syro-Maronite Church====
The [[Syriac Maronite Church]] and other [[Syriac Churches]] have freestanding altars in most cases, so  priests and deacons can [[Circumambulation|circumambulate]] these with processions and [[Incense|incensations]]. Traditionally, the Maronite liturgy was offered with the priest and people [[Ad orientem|facing East]], but because of modern [[Liturgical Latinisation]], it is common for Maronite liturgies to be offered with the priest on the other side of the altar and [[Versus populum|facing the people]], in imitation of modern practices in the Latin Church.