Prothesis (altar)

Prothesis (altar)

The Prothesis is the place in the sanctuary [Traditionally, in Orthodox churches, the entire sanctuary is referred to as the "Altar", the altar table itself being called the "Holy Table" or the "Throne". This traditional terminology will be used throughout the article.] in which the Liturgy of Preparation takes place in the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches.

The Prothesis is located behind the Iconostasis and consists of a small table, also known as the Table of Oblation, on which the bread and wine are prepared for the Divine Liturgy. It is most often placed on the north side of the Altar, or in a separate chamber (itself referred to as the "Prothesis") on the north side of the central apse.

Originally, the Prothesis was located in the same room as the Holy Table, being simply a smaller table placed against the eastern wall to the north of the Holy Table. During the reign of the Emperor Justin II (565 - 574), it came to occupy its own separate chamber to the north of the sanctuary, having a separate apse, and joined to the Altar by an arched opening. Another apsed chamber was added on the south side for the Diaconicon. So that from this time forward, large Orthodox churches were triapsal (having three apses on the eastern side). Smaller churches sill have only one chamber containing the Altar, the Prothesis and the Diaconicon.

In the Syriac Churches, the ritual is different, as both Prothesis and Diaconicon are generally rectangular, and the former constitutes a chamber for the deposit of offerings by the faithful. Consequently, it is sometimes placed on the south side, if by doing so it is more accessible to the laity.

In the Coptic Church, the men will enter the Prothesis to receive holy Communion (the women receive in front of the Holy Doors), and must remove their shoes before entering.

Notes

ee also

*Altar
*Diaconicon

External links

* [http://en.liturgy.ru/photo/f18.htm Photo of Prothesis] The Altar is in the background, behind the line of priests.


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • altar — Synonyms and related words: Communion table, altar carpet, altar desk, altar facing, altar of prothesis, altar rail, altar side, altar slab, altar stair, altar stone, altarpiece, ancona, bomos, chancel table, credence, eschara, frontal, gradin,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • Altar — For other uses, see Altar (disambiguation). Detail from Religion, Charles Sprague Pearce (1896). Library of Congress Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C …   Wikipedia

  • Altar server — An altar server or Acolyte is a lay assistant to a member of the clergy during a religious service. Acolytes attend to supporting tasks at the altar such as fetching and carrying, ringing the altar bell, etc.Acolytes in the Roman Catholic… …   Wikipedia

  • The Rite of Constantinople (Byzantine Rite) —     The Rite of Constantinople     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Rite of Constantinople     (Also BYZANTINE RITE.)     The Liturgies, Divine Office, forms for the administration of sacraments and for various blessings, sacramentals, and exorcisms …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • altarpiece — Synonyms and related words: Communion table, abstract, abstraction, altar, altar carpet, altar desk, altar facing, altar of prothesis, altar rail, altar side, altar slab, altar stair, altar stone, ancona, block print, bomos, chancel table,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • credence — Synonyms and related words: Communion table, acceptance, acceptation, accepting, acception, acquiescence, admission, admitting, altar, altar carpet, altar desk, altar facing, altar of prothesis, altar rail, altar side, altar slab, altar stair,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • frontal — Synonyms and related words: Communion table, altar, altar carpet, altar desk, altar facing, altar of prothesis, altar rail, altar side, altar slab, altar stair, altar stone, altarpiece, ancona, anterior, anteriority, bold front, bomos, brave face …   Moby Thesaurus

  • retable — Synonyms and related words: Communion table, altar, altar carpet, altar desk, altar facing, altar of prothesis, altar rail, altar side, altar slab, altar stair, altar stone, altarpiece, ancona, beam end, bomos, chancel table, corbel, credence,… …   Moby Thesaurus

  • The Alexandrine Liturgy —     The Alexandrine Liturgy     † Catholic Encyclopedia ► The Alexandrine Liturgy     The tradition of the Church of Egypt traces its origin to the Evangelist St. Mark, the first Bishop of Alexandria, and ascribes to him the parent liturgy from… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Chapel — • When St. Martin divided his military cloak (cappa) and gave half to the beggar at the gate of Amiens, he wrapped the other half round his shoulders, thus making of it a cape (capella). This cape, or its representative, was afterwards preserved… …   Catholic encyclopedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”