Editing Diptych (section)

==Ecclesiastical==
[[File:MHS Deesis XVII w p.jpg|thumb|left|[[Deesis]], 17th-century [[icon]]. Left to right: [[Archangel Michael]], [[Theotokos]], [[John the Baptist]], [[Archangel Gabriel]] (Historical Museum in [[Sanok]], Poland).]]

It is in this form that the mention of "diptychs" in early [[Christianity|Christian]] literature is found. The term refers to official lists of the living and departed that are commemorated by the local church. The living would be inscribed on one wing of the diptych, and the departed on the other. The inscribing of a bishop's name in the diptychs means that the local church considers itself to be [[intercommunion|in communion]] with him, the removal of a bishop's name would indicate [[Schism (religion)#Use within Christianity|breaking communion]] with him. The names in the diptychs would be read publicly by the [[deacon]] during the [[Divine Liturgy]] ([[Eucharist]]), and by the priest during the [[Liturgy of Preparation]]. Diptychs were also used to inscribe the names of the saints. Although the wax tablets themselves are no longer used, the term is still used in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches]] to describe the contents of the diptychs, with all the same connotations.
[[File:NMAfA-D20050244-000003.jpg|thumb|left|[[Ethiopian Orthodox]] wooden diptych of St. Mary and the infant Jesus with archangels above them. St. George appears on a white horse on the left. (Late 16th-early 17th century)]]