Changes

It is the tradition of the Orthodox Church that the laity stand in the nave, and do not enter the sanctuary without reason. Only people whose ministry or responsibilities require them to enter the sanctuary, or those who have received a blessing to enter there, are permitted to enter.

The altar table is usually a cube with each dimension of about one meter or cubit. The table may be made of wood or stone. The table is usually covered with a brocade covering, the [[Liturgical colors|color]] of which changes with the [[liturgical season]]. Atop the altar table is the [[Tabernacle (liturgical)|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, a multi-branch candle stand, usually with seven candles, is placed near the back of the table as one looks from the nave. Also kept on the altar is the book of the [[Gospel]]s and the [[antimension]], a silken cloth imprinted with an [[icon]] of [[Christ]] being prepared for burial, which has a [[relics|relic]] sewn into it and bears the signature of the [[bishop]]. The [[Divine Liturgy]] must be served on an antimension even if the altar has been consecrated and contains relics. When not in use, the antimension is left in place wrapped in the [[eiliton]], a cloth of plain silk, linen, or cotton.