The table in the middle of the sanctuary on which the Eucharist is celebrated; the Gospel, cross, tabernacle and antimension rest on it.
Este centrul altarului. Se sfințește de episcop la sfințirea bisericii; de multe ori, în ea se pun moaște de sfinți. Pe Sfânta Masă se află Evanghelia, crucea de binecuvântare, antimisul și chivotul în care se păstrează Sfânta Împărtășanie pentru bolnavi.
Credincioșii nu ating Sfânta Masă; ea poate fi atinsă doar de preoți și diaconi.
See also
- AntimensionA cloth consecrated by the bishop, showing the burial of Christ; the Liturgy cannot be celebrated without it.
- Sanctuary (Orthodox)The holiest part of the church, facing east behind the iconostasis, where the Liturgy is celebrated.
- Tabernacle (chivot)A metal casket, often shaped like a church, on the Holy Table, in which Communion is kept for the sick.
In the same category
- AntidoronThe pieces of blessed bread given to the faithful at the end of the Liturgy; it is not Communion.
- 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.
- Commemoration listThe list of names of the living and the departed given to the priest to be remembered at the Liturgy.