The stone or wooden table on which the Eucharist is celebrated, visible to all; Catholic churches often have side altars too.
În bisericile romano-catolice, altarul principal se află în prezbiteriu, în fața credincioșilor. Bisericile vechi au în spatele lui un retablu (altar înalt) sculptat și pictat, iar pe laturi altare dedicate unor sfinți. După Conciliul Vatican II, multe biserici au adăugat un altar nou, orientat spre credincioși.
În bisericile evanghelice săsești din Transilvania se păstrează altare poliptice valoroase, cu panouri pictate care se deschid la sărbători.
See also
- Chancel (presbytery)The part of the church, usually raised and facing east, where the altar stands and the clergy officiate.
- TabernacleThe locked, often gilded cabinet in which the consecrated hosts are kept; a red lamp always burns beside it.
- Winged altarpieceAn altar with painted or carved panels that open and close like the wings of a book.
In the same category
- Baptismal fontThe large vessel in which children are baptised; in Catholic and Protestant churches often a stone basin near the entrance.
- CandleThe faithful light candles on entering the church: separately for the living and for the departed.
- CenserThe metal vessel on chains in which incense burns; the priest censes the icons and the faithful.
- ChaliceThe consecrated cup, usually of precious metal, holding the wine for the Eucharist.
- ConfessionalThe wooden booth in which a Catholic priest hears confession through a grille.
- Diskos (paten)The consecrated plate on which the bread for the Eucharist is placed.