Antimension

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A cloth or item used in certain Christian liturgical practices, symbolizing the presence of Christ
2. A sacred piece of fabric placed on the altar in specific religious services representing Christ's burial and resurrection
3. An object that serves as a reminder of the Eucharist, often featuring relics or inscriptions within religious contexts

Etymology: The antimension is a small square of cloth used in the Eastern Orthodox Church, and its name comes from Ancient Greek "Antimḗnsion," a term built from "anti," meaning "instead of" or "in place of," and a second element related to "mensa," the Latin word for table. The cloth is laid on the altar and carries an image of Christ's burial, and it stands in for the holy table itself when a church has not been consecrated, or when the altar must be moved or the liturgy celebrated away from its usual setting. The name therefore describes the object's function rather than its appearance: it is literally a substitute for the altar. Its Greek form is the source of the alternative spelling "antimins," which is the more common form in English-language writing about Orthodox practice.

Synonyms: antimins