libterm.com The Altar Stone is a significant megalithic feature found within the prehistoric site of Stonehenge, resting at the geometric center of the monument. This sandstone slab, believed to have been sourced from the Preseli Hills in Wales, holds archaeological importance due to its mysterious origins and potential ceremonial use in ancient rituals. Discover how the Altar Stone contributes to the enigmatic history of Stonehenge and what it reveals about your ancestors' cultural practices.
Table of Comparison
| Aspect | Altar Stone | Antimensium |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | A consecrated stone used as the base for the altar in Catholic Mass. | A consecrated cloth containing relics, used for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in Eastern Christianity. |
| Material | Stone, often marble, embedded into or placed on the altar table. | Cloth (usually linen) with relics sewn inside. |
| Religious Tradition | Roman Catholic Church. | Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches. |
| Purpose | To provide a sacred, consecrated surface for the Eucharistic sacrifice. | To authenticate and sanctify the altar, permitting the celebration of the Liturgy. |
| Relics | Typically contains relics of saints inside the stone. | Always contains relics sewn into the cloth. |
| Use | Fixed altar element, cannot be moved easily. | Portable, carried to altars where the Divine Liturgy is celebrated. |
Introduction to Altar Stone and Antimensium
The Altar Stone is a consecrated slab of natural stone embedded in or placed atop a church altar, essential for the celebration of the Eucharist in Catholic liturgy. The Antimensium is a richly decorated cloth containing relics of saints, used as a portable altar for the Divine Liturgy in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches. Both the Altar Stone and Antimensium symbolize sacred authority and continuity in liturgical tradition while serving as essential focal points for consecration in their respective rites.
Historical Background and Origins
The Altar Stone traces its origins to early Christian liturgical practices, serving as a consecrated element embedded within the altar to symbolize the rock upon which Christ established his Church. The Antimensium, emerging from Byzantine rite traditions, originated as a cloth relic containing a consecrated relic of a martyr and became essential to Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgies for celebrating the Divine Liturgy. Both items reflect distinct theological and historical developments in Western and Eastern Christian worship, emphasizing the importance of consecration and relic veneration in altar traditions.
Definition and Core Purpose
The altar stone is a consecrated slab embedded into a church altar, containing relics of saints, serving as a physical foundation for the Eucharistic celebration in traditional liturgy. The antimensium is a consecrated cloth containing relics, unfolded on the altar to enable the celebration of the Divine Liturgy where a fixed altar stone is unavailable. Both objects are essential liturgical items symbolizing the sanctity of the Eucharistic sacrifice, with the altar stone emphasizing permanence and the antimensium providing liturgical flexibility.
Materials and Physical Characteristics
The Altar Stone is traditionally made from a single block of natural stone, often marble or granite, symbolizing Christ's permanence and sacrifice. The Antimensium, used in Eastern Orthodox liturgy, is a consecrated cloth usually made of silk or linen, intricately embroidered with religious icons or scenes. While the Altar Stone provides a solid, durable surface for the Eucharistic celebration, the Antimensium is portable and essential for valid liturgical services, embodying both sacred function and detailed craftsmanship.
Liturgical Significance
The Altar Stone and Antimensium serve distinct liturgical purposes within the Catholic Mass; the Altar Stone, containing relics of saints, is embedded into the altar to sanctify it as a sacred place for the Eucharistic sacrifice. The Antimensium, a consecrated cloth featuring the depiction of Christ's burial, is essential for celebrating the Divine Liturgy or Mass, symbolizing the altar's sanctity even when a permanent altar is unavailable. Both objects underscore the theology of sacrificial presence and continuity with early Christian worship traditions.
Use in Eastern and Western Christian Traditions
The Altar Stone is primarily used in Western Christian liturgies, especially within the Roman Catholic tradition, serving as a portable consecrated surface containing relics for Mass celebrations. The Antimensium, integral to Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic rites, is a consecrated cloth featuring relics and the depiction of Christ's burial, placed on the altar to permit the Divine Liturgy. Both objects emphasize the sanctity of the Eucharistic celebration but reflect distinct liturgical customs and theological symbolism across Eastern and Western Christian traditions.
Canonical Requirements and Regulations
The altar stone, a fixed consecrated stone embedded in or placed on the altar, must contain relics of martyrs according to Canon 1237 of the Code of Canon Law, establishing its permanence and sanctity for Mass celebration. The antimensium is a consecrated cloth containing relics, used as a portable altar in the absence of an altar stone, and is mandated by Canon 1236 to be present for the valid celebration of the Eucharist. Both items are strictly regulated by liturgical norms to ensure the sanctity of the altar and proper adherence to canonical requirements during Mass.
Symbolic Meanings and Theological Implications
The Altar Stone, embedded within the altar mensa, symbolizes the permanence and sanctity of Christ's sacrifice through its direct connection to the relics of saints, grounding the Eucharistic celebration in apostolic tradition. The Antimensium, a consecrated cloth bearing the depiction of Christ's entombment, signifies the unity of the local church with the bishop's authority and the sacrificial nature of the Mass, emphasizing the theology of communion and episcopal oversight. Both elements serve as tangible manifestations of sacred space and liturgical continuity, underscoring theological themes of sacrifice, sanctification, and ecclesial unity in Catholic worship.
Modern Practices and Adaptations
Altar stones serve as durable, consecrated surfaces embedded into or placed on altars, maintaining traditional Eucharistic celebrations in modern Catholic worship spaces. Antimensia, containing relics and consecrated by a bishop, provide portable and flexible alternatives, essential for Eastern Orthodox and some Western liturgical settings where permanent altars are unavailable. Contemporary adaptations see altar stones used in fixed church architecture, while antimensia facilitate liturgies in temporary or unconventional worship environments, reflecting evolving ecclesiastical needs.
Key Differences Between Altar Stone and Antimensium
Altar Stone is a consecrated slab of stone embedded in or placed on the altar, containing relics of saints and serving as a permanent, physical foundation for the celebration of the Eucharist in Catholic liturgy. Antimensium is a cloth, often silk or linen, embroidered with sacred images and relics, used by Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches as a portable altar essential for Divine Liturgy when a consecrated altar stone is unavailable. The key difference lies in material and usage: the Altar Stone is a solid, immovable object integral to the altar structure, while the Antimensium is a portable cloth that symbolizes the altar and contains relics, enabling liturgical services in various locations.
Altar Stone Infographic
