Atop the altar is the tabernacle (), a miniature shrine sometimes built in the form of a church, inside of which is a small ark containing the reserved sacrament for use in communing the sick. Also kept on the altar is the Gospel Book, under which is the antimension, a silken cloth imprinted with an icon of Christ being prepared for burial, with a relic sewn into it and the signature of the bishop. The Divine Liturgy must be served on an antimension, even if the altar is consecrated and contains relics. A simpler cloth called the is wrapped around the antimension to protect it, and symbolizes the “napkin” tied around the face of Jesus when he was laid in the tomb (thus a companion to the ). When not in use, the antimension is left in the center of the Holy Table, and is never removed unless necessary.
Atop the altar is the tabernacle () a miniature shrine sometimes built in the form of a church inside of which is a small ark containing the reserved sacrament for use in communing the sick Also kept on the altar is the Gospel Book under which is the antimension a silken cloth imprinted with an icon of Christ being prepared for burial with a relic sewn into it and the signature of the bishop The Divine Liturgy must be served on an antimension even if the altar is consecrated and contains relics A simpler cloth called the is wrapped around the antimension to protect it and symbolizes the “napkin” tied around the face of Jesus when he was laid in the tomb (thus a companion to the ) When not in use the antimension is left in the center of the Holy Table and is never removed unless necessary