Altar cloth

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An altar cloth is used by various religious groups to cover an altar. Christianity, ancient Judaism, Buddhism, and various forms of Paganism and Neopaganism are among the world religions that use altar cloths.

Because many altars are made of wood and are often ornate or one-of-a-kind, cloth is commonly used to protect the altar surface. In other cases, the cloth serves to beautify the rather mundane construction underneath. Covering an altar with cloth may also be a sign of respect towards the holiness of the altar.

Contents

[edit] Christian altar linens

Special cloths (not necessarily made of linen) cover the altar in many Christian churches during services and celebrations, and are often left on the altar when it is not in use. According to the Roman Catholic Church [1] and the Anglican Communion [2] the only materials acceptable for use as an altar cloth are linen made from flax or hemp. The cloths historically used by Roman Catholic and Anglican churches are (working from the table of the altar itself up through the layers):

  • The cere cloth was originally a piece of heavy linen treated with wax (cere is the Latin word for "wax") to protect the other linens from the dampness of a stone altar, and also to prevent the altar from being stained by any wine that may be spilled. It is the exact same size as the 'mensa', or the flat rectangular top of the altar.
  • The linen cloth is, like the cere cloth, made of heavy linen exactly the same size as the mensa of the altar. It acts as a cushion and, with the cere cloth, prevents the altar from being dented by heavy vases or communion vessels placed on top. Two of these cloths are traditionally placed over the cere cloth and thus under the fair linen.
  • The fair linen is the long, white linen cloth laid over the linen cloth. Like the two cloths laid before it, it is the same depth as the mensa of the altar, but is longer, so it hangs over the edges to within a few inches of the floor. Some authorities say it should hang eighteen inches over the edge of the ends of the mensa. It is usually trimmed with lace on the ends, and should be hemmed by hand, with a one or two inch hem on all sides. Five small crosses are embroidered on the fair linen - one to fall at each corner of the mensa, and one in the middle of the front edge. These symbolise the five wounds of Jesus. The fair linen should be left on the altar at all times. When it is removed for replacement it should be rolled and not folded. It symbolizes the shroud in which Jesus was wrapped for burial.
  • The coverlet is of the same heavy linen as the cere cloth and the linen cloth, the same length and width as the fair linen, and is left on the altar whenever it is not in use. It simply protects the altar from dust and debris.

In the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion all of the linen cloths are white, including their decoration. Other more decorative cloths are used to decorate the front and back of the altar such as:

  • The frontal, or Antependium, is the same size as the front of the altar. It is richly decorated, made of tapestry, silk or damask. Some frontals are matchless works of art, exhibiting the finest materials and embroidery possible. Other churches opt for a plain frontal. One characteristic is shared by all frontals: they are coloured green, red, purple, black or white, and are changed according to the colour of the Church year. In this way the altar will have five different frontals hung upon it throughout the year, but only one at a time. The frontal may be fixed to either the cere cloth or the linen cloth to hold it in place, which cloth must be fastened to the rear edge of the altar.
  • The frontlet is similar to the frontal, that is the exact width of the altar, but only ten to twelve inches deep. It hangs over the frontal, and is of the same colour and material. Again, the frontlet is rotated according to the colour of the church year. Like the frontal the frontlet is fastened to either the cere cloth or the linen cloth. Or, alternatively, it may be fastened to a wooden frame or strip that can be hooked in place at the front of the altar.

[edit] Variants

According to the Catholic Encyclopeia, altar-cloths were commonly used prior to the 4th century. Pope Boniface III is reputed to have passed a decree in the 7th century making the use of altar cloths mandatory. The use of three cloths most likely began in the 9th century and it is obligatory to do so at the present time, for Roman Catholic churches. (Rubr. Gen. Miss., tit. xx: De Defectibus, tit. x, 1). [3]

In historical times, all Christian churches used altar cloths. However, today some churches use no cloths on the altar at all, or maybe only the fair linen. Several variants of the above cloths and linens are also in use. Some churches use a frontlet and no frontal, and this is especially desirable where the altar is richly decorated and the use of a frontal would hide it. Where only a frontlet is used, in many cases the frontlet is permanently attached to the linen cloth, and so the linen cloth must be replaced with the frontlet. Many churches dispense with the cere cloth and the coverlet.

[edit] Other Christian denominations

The Episcopal Church does not use the same elaborate altar dressing as the Roman Catholic Church and Anglican Communion. They usually use only a white fair linen cloth to cover the top of the altar. According to a glossary found on one of their websites the altar cloth they use "...covers the top of the altar and hangs down the sides almost to the floor." [4] Some Lutheran Churches also uses a single fair linen on their altar, though many use the coloured frontlet or frontal as well. [5]

[edit] Judaism

According to the Bible the Jews were using altar cloths at the time of the Exodus, "...And the table and his furniture, and the pure candlestick with all his furniture, and the altar of incense, And the altar of burnt offering with all his furniture, and the laver and his foot, 31:10 And the cloths of service..." [6]

The Jews traditionally used colour, "And of the blue, and purple, and scarlet, they made cloths of service..." which were to be used by the priests inside the tabernacle. Since all of the other items made from fabric for use in the tabernacle were made from fine linen it is reasonable to assume that the cloths of service were also made from linen. [7] Unfortunately, Exodus does not give the dimensions of the cloths, nor does it indicate how or when the cloths were to be used.

The practice of using altar cloths disappeared when the Temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in 70 AD. The focus of worship turned towards the synagogue and the need for an altar disappeared. There is a table where the Torah scrolls are laid for reading, called a bimah and another lower table called an amud that is a lectern.

[edit] Buddhism

The altar is simply a table or sometimes two tables (placed together along their widths) and butted up against the wall. The table(s) is usually decorated with a cloth, most commonly silk. Colour is a personal choice but should reflect the intent of the worship. [8]

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01351e.htm online accessed 7 July 2006
  2. ^ http://anglicanhistory.org/liturgy/ritual_notes_1894/notes1.html online accessed 7 July 2006
  3. ^ http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01351e.htm online accessed 7 July 2006
  4. ^ http://www.trinityepiscopalonline.org/glossary-a.htm online accessed 18 July 2006
  5. ^ http://www.stpaulmelb.com/altarguild.html online accessed 18 July 2006
  6. ^ http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_text_bible_exodus_31.htm Exodus Chapter 31, Verses 8 and 9, online accessed 8 July 2006
  7. ^ http://ancienthistory.about.com/library/bl/bl_text_bible_exodus_39.htm Exodus Chapter 39 Verse 1, online accessed 8 July 2006
  8. ^ http://www.yogichen.org/efiles/e0024.html online accessed 18 July 2006

[edit] External links

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