Editing Altar (section)

===Oriental Rites===

==== Armenian Rite ====
[[File:Echmiatsin altair.jpg|thumb|Altar at the [[Etchmiadzin Cathedral]]]]

In the [[Armenian Rite]] the altar is placed against the eastern wall of the church, often in an [[apse]]. The shape of the altar is usually rectangular, similar to Latin altars, but is unusual in that it will normally have several steps on top of the table, on which are placed the [[Church tabernacle|tabernacle]], candles, [[hexapteryga|ceremonial fans]], a cross, and the [[Gospel Book]]. The altar is often located upon a kind of stage above a row of icons.

==== Alexandrian Rite ====
Altars in the Alexandrian ([[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Orthodox Church]]) tradition must have a square face upon which to offer the sacrifice. As the standard Coptic liturgy requires the priest to encircle the altar, it is never attached to any wall. Most Coptic altars are located under a [[baldachin]].

==== Ethiopic Rite ====
In [[Ethiopian Orthodox Church]] tradition an icon is placed upon but towards the rear of the altar. It is away from the wall as in the Coptic tradition.

==== West Syriac Rite ====
In the West Syriac Tradition, churches have altars in the eastern part of the sanctuary.

==== East Syriac ====
Altars of [[East Syriac Rite]] are similar in appearance to Armenian altars only they are not placed on a stage.

==== [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church|Indian Orthodox]] ====
The Indian Orthodox Church or [[Malankara Orthodox Syrian Church]] follows the West Syriac rite combined with Indian traditions and culture, commonly referred to as the [[Malankara Rite]] and as such follows a tradition of placing the altar towards the eastern side of the sanctuary. Usually, the altars are paced underneath canopies called Beth' qudisho (transl. Holy House), has steps that houses the tabernacle, 3 to 12 candles (symbolising the 12 Apostles of Christ), a cross in the middle and adorned with exemplary decorations in the form of icons, wooden carvings, distinctly patterned fabrics etc. 

The altar in this tradition is referred to as ''thronose'' (transl. throne) and the sanctuary is called the Madbaha (transl. sanctuary).