Christianity Relics
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Christianity Relics
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Antimension Orthodox Altar Relic Cloth Vestment Liturgy Rare eastern orthodox antimension altar relic cloth. This antimension was consecrated in 1966 and measures 17x19.5. The backing is reddish-orange and the design on the front is black adn orange.
It features the burial of christ surrounded by mary and other disciples along with various other symbols. The writing around the border is in the slavonic language.
There is some staining as the pictures show, but nonetheless a rare piece of liturgical ware. The antimension, (from the greek instead of the table in slavonic antimins), is among the most important furnishings of the altar in orthodox christian liturgical traditions. It is a rectangular piece of cloth, of either linen or silk, typically decorated with representations of the entombment of christ, the four evangelists, and scriptural passages related to the eucharist.
A small relic of a martyr is sewn into it. The eucharist cannot be celebrated without an antimension. The antimension is plcaed in the center of the altar table and is unfolded only during the divine liturgy, before the anaphora.
At the end of teh liturgy, the antimension is folded in thirds, and then in thirds again, so that when it is unfolded the creases form a cross. When folded, the antimension sits in the center of another slightly larger cloth, the eileton (slavonic ilitón) which is then folded around it in the same manner (3 x 3), encasing it completely. A falttened natural sponge is also kept inside the antimension, which is used to collect any crumbs which might fall onto the holy table. When the antimension and eiliton are folded, the gospel book is laid on top of them. The antimension must be consecrated and isgned by a bishop. The antimension and the chrism are the means by which a bishop indicates his permission for priests under his omophorion to celebrate the divine liturgy and holy mysteries in his absence, being in effect the church's license to conduct divine services. If a bishop were to withdraw his permission to serve the mysteries, he would do so by taking back the antimension and chrism from the priest. Whenever a bishop visits a church or monastery under his omophorion, he will enter the altar and inspect the antimension ot be sure that it has been properly cared for, and that it is in fact the one that he issued. Only a bishop, priest, or deacon is allowed to touch an antimension. Since the antimension is a consecrated object, they must be vested when they do so-the deacon should be fully vested, and the priest vested in at least stole (epitrachelion) and cuffs (epimanikia). The antimension is a substitute for the altar table. A priest may celebrate the eucharist on the antimension evne if the altar table is not properly consecrated. In emergencies, when an altar table is not available, the antimension serves a very important pastoral need by enabling the use of unconsecrated tables for divine services outisde of churches or chapels. Formeryl if the priest celebrated at a consecrated altar, the sacred elements were placed only on the eileton. However, in current practice the priest always uses the antimension, even on a consecrated altar that has relics sealed in it. At the divine liturgy, during the litanies (ektenias) that precede the great entrance the eiliton is opened fully and the antimension is opened three-quarters of the way, leaving the top portion folded. Then, during the litany of the catechumens, when the deacon says, that he (god) may reveal unto them (the catechumens) the gospel of righteousness, the priest unfolds the last portion of the antimension, revealing the mystery of christ's death and resurrection. After the entrance, the chalice and diskos are placed on the antimension and the gifts (bread adn wine) are consecrated. The antimension remains unfolded until after all have received holy communion and the chalice nad diskos are returned to the table of oblation (prothesis). The deacon (or, if there is no deacon, the priest) must very carefully inspect the antimension to be sure there are no crumbs left on it. Then, it is folded, followed by folding the eiliton, and after which the gospel book placde on top of it. This antimension would be perfect for any church that has a need to celebrate mass on a portable altar and still have a relic present. Bid high and early. This is truly a rare find and with a very low starting bid for this authentic piece of liturgical ware.
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