to as the Holy Table or Throne (Church Slavonic: Prestol). Although there are variations, normally it will be completely covered on all four sides with three clothes. The katasarka from Greek, or strachítsa, from Slavonic (related to the word for a shirt), is the first cloth to cover the Holy Table. It is a plain linen cover which is bound to the altar with cords at the time of its consecration, and is never removed. This linen covering symbolizes the winding sheet in which the body of Christ was wrapped when he was laid in the tomb. Since the altar is never seen uncovered thereafter, these tend to be constructed more with sturdiness than aesthetics in mind. The Indítion is placed above this first cover and is an ornamented cover, often in a brocade of a color that may change with the liturgical season. This outer covering usually comes all the way to the floor and represents the glory of God's Throne. When the Indítion is laid out flat it forms a Greek cross, with the center covering the top of the Holy Table, and the "arms" of the cross covering the four sides. A third covering is made of the same material as the Indítion, but is smaller and square, covering the top of the Holy Table and coming down only a few inches on all four sides, something like the Western frontlet. The Antimension (Church Slavonic: Antimens) is similar to the Western corporal, though it serves a function similar to an altar stone, as well as a Celebret. It is a piece of silk or linen which usually has an icon of the Deposition from the Cross depicted on it, and relics of a martyr sewn into it. It also contains the Signature of the reigning Bishop of the church, as well as the date of consecration of the antimension and the place for which it was consecrated. Unlike the Western corporal, the Antimension is not removed from the Holy Table after the Eucharist is over, but is kept in the center of the Holy Table, covered by the Gospel Book. The Antimension is often wrapped in a slightly larger silk cloth, called the Eiliton to protect it, though pre-Nikonian Slavic practice is to place the antimension between the katasarka and the indition, where it is kept unfolded. The Eiliton is most-often red, and can be highly decorated