An antependium (Latin: "to hang before"; pl: antependia), more commonly known as a hanging, or, when speaking specifically of the hanging for the altar, an altar frontal, is a decorative piece of material that can adorn a Christian altar, lectern, pulpit, or table (as opposed to the vestments worn by the minister or priest). An altar is any structure upon which Sacrifices or other offerings are made for religious purposes or some other sacred place where ceremonies take place A Christian is a person who adheres to Christianity, a monotheistic Religion centered on the life and teachings of Jesus of Nazareth A lectern (from the Latin lectus, past participle of legere, "to read" is a reading desk with a slanted top usually placed on a stand or affixed to A pulpit (from Latin pulpitum "scaffold" "platform" "stage" is a small elevated platform where a member of the clergy stands Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions especially the Latin Rite and other Roman Catholics In Christian churches, a minister is someone who is authorized by a church or religious organization to perform clergy functions such as teaching of beliefs A priest or priestess is a person having the authority or power to administer religious rites in particular rites of sacrifice to and propitiation of a deity or deities Specifically, an antependium hangs down in front of whatever it covers, and must be distinguished from the altar linens which are used in the service of the Eucharist, and an altar cloth which covers the top of the altar table (mensa). The Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord's Supper and other names is a Christian Sacrament by which in a common interpretation those An altar cloth is used by various religious groups to cover an Altar.
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Types of antipendia
An altar frontal may come down only a few inches from the top of the altar table (a "frontlet") — especially if the front of the altar is elaborately carved or painted—or it may reach all the way to the floor (the "frontal", properly so called). It will usually cover the entire width of the altar. A "Jacobean frontal" will completely cover the entire altar, reaching down to the floor on all four sides.
Construction
An antependium is normally of the same color and fabric as the vestments worn by the clergy. The fabric may vary from very simple material such as cotton or wool, to exquisitely wrought damasks and fine watermarked silk, velvet, or satin. Decoration is commonly by means of decorative bands of material (orphreys), embroidery (sometimes in gold or silver thread, or making use of pearls and semi-precious stones) or appliqués, fringes and tassels, all of a complementary color to the fabric. Orphrey, also spelt Orfrey or Orfray, is a form of highly detailed Embroidery, in which typically simple materials are made into exquisite patterns The most frequent emblem used on both vestments and hangings is the cross. The antependium is normally lined in a matching color, often of satin.
The colors used tend to be fixed by the liturgical tradition of the denomination. Most Western Christian churches that observe a developed liturgical tradition use white, gold, red, green, violet, and black, each used only on specified occasions. Western Christianity is a term used to cover the Latin Rite of the Roman Catholic Church, the Churches of the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Church Rose colour may be employed for certain Sundays during Lent and Advent. Lent, in some Christian denominations, is the forty-day-long liturgical season of fasting and prayer before Easter. Advent (from the Latin word la ''adventus'' meaning "coming" is a season of the Christian church, the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the Blue is sometimes prescribed for feasts of the Blessed Virgin Mary (see liturgical colors). This ecumenical article is about general Christian views on and veneration of the Virgin Mary Liturgical colours are those specific colours which are used for Vestments and hangings within the context of Christian Liturgy. Among Eastern Christians, there tend to be two types of vestments used: somber (dark) ones and festal (bright) ones. Families of churches Eastern Christians have a shared tradition but they became divided ( Schism) during the early centuries of Christianity in disputes about Beyond that, no specific colors are officially required. Among some groups, such as the Russian Orthodox Church, a pattern of fixed colors has developed, somewhat similar to that used in the West, although not strictly required. See also Eastern Orthodox Church Structure and organization The Slavic Orthodox Church is organized in a hierarchical structure
Other usages
Antipendium can also be used to describe front of the altar itself, especially if it is elaborately carved or gilded. The famous Pala d'Oro in St. Mark's Basilica in Venice originated as an antependium, although it is used as a reredos now. Pala d’Oro (literally "Golden Pall" is a high Altar Retable of the Basilica di San Marco in Venice. Saint Mark's Basilica ( Italian: Basilica di San Marco a Venezia) the Cathedral of Venice, is the most famous of Venice ( Italian: Venezia, Venetian: Venesia or Venexia) is a city in Northern Italy, the capital of the There are two common meanings of the word reredos. In general architecture the word can mean the back of an open hearth of a fireplace or a screen placed behind a table
See also
External links
- Altar Frontal article from the Catholic Encyclopedia
- Orthodox altar with red frontal
- Jacobean Frontal St. An altar cloth is used by various religious groups to cover an Altar. Liturgical colours are those specific colours which are used for Vestments and hangings within the context of Christian Liturgy. The Catholic Encyclopedia, also referred to today as the Old Catholic Encyclopedia, is an English-language Encyclopedia published by The Encyclopedia John's Church, Edinburgh, Scotland
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