has a short text embroidered upon it in large letters, such as "Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus". 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. Variants According to the Catholic Encyclopedia, 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 was obligatory for Roman Rite churches at the time of the Catholic Encyclopedia. Previously, all Christian Churches used altar cloths. However, today some use no cloths on the altar or only the fair linen. Several variants of the above cloths and linens are also in use. Some Churches use a frontlet and no frontal, especially where the altar is richly decorated and 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. Many churches of the Anglican Communion follow the tradition of the Roman Rite in preparing the altar for the Eucharist. There are varying practices in the Episcopal Church; some do not use the elaborate altar dressing previously laid down for the Roman Rite and instead usually use only a white fair linen cloth to cover the top of the altar. According to a glossary found on an Episcopal parish's website, the altar cloth they use "... covers the top of the altar and hangs down the sides almost to the floor." Lutherans also use a single fair linen on their altar, though many use the coloured frontlet or frontal as well. An exception being the Church of Sweden, which generally continues to use the threefold dressing of the altar, albeit does not perscribe it as necessary. Likewise, the text The Doctrines and Discipline of the Methodist Church specifies that "The Lord's Table should have upon it a fair linen cloth." Eastern Churches In the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches of Byzantine Rite, the altar is referred