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Antimension

25 bytes added, 23:45, June 16, 2015
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[[File:Antiminsio.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|A Greek antimension of 1717 AD.]]
[[Image:Antimins.jpg|right|200px|thumbnail|A Serbian antimension from the 17th <!-- or 16th? --->century.]]
The '''antimension''', (from the Greek: ἀντιμήνσιον, "instead of the table"; in Slavonic: '''antimins'''), is among the most important furnishings of the [[altar]] in Orthodox Christian liturgical traditions. It is a rectangular piece of cloth, of either linen or silk, typically decorated with representations of the entombment of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]], the four [[Evangelist]]s, and scriptural passages related to the [[Eucharist]]. A small [[relics|relic]] of a [[martyr]] is sewn into it. The [[Eucharist]] cannot be celebrated without an antimension.
The antimension is placed in the center of the altar table and is unfolded only during the [[Divine Liturgy]], before the Anaphora. At the end of the Liturgy, the antimension is folded in thirds, and then in thirds again, so that when it is unfolded the creases form a cross. When folded, the antimension sits in the center of another slightly larger cloth, the ''[[eileton]]'' (Slavonic: ''Ilitón'') which is then folded around it in the same manner (3 x 3), encasing it completely. A flattened natural sponge is also kept inside the antimension, which is used to collect any crumbs which might fall onto the ''Holy Table''. When the antimension and eiliton are folded, the [[Gospel Book]] is laid on top of them.
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