Prothesis (altar)

The triple apse of an Orthodox Church. The altar is in the larger central apse, the prothesis in the apse to the right, and the diaconicon in the one to the left.

Theprothesisis the place in thesanctuaryin which theLiturgy of Preparationtakes place in theEastern OrthodoxandGreek Catholic Churches.Prothesis anddiaconiconare collectively referred to aspastophoria.

The prothesis is located behind theiconostasisand consists of a small table, also known as theTable of Oblation,on which the bread and wine are prepared for theDivine Liturgy.The table will often bear the items being used for the preparation: the chalice, cutting implements, cloths and other items. It is most often placed on the north side of the altar, or in a separate chamber (itself referred to as the prothesis) on the north side of the centralapse.

Sacred vessels used in the Orthodox Divine Liturgy (photograph bySergey Prokudin-Gorsky,1911)

During the reign of the EmperorJustin II(565–574), it came to occupy its own separate chamber to the north of the sanctuary, having a separate apse, and joined to the altar by an arched opening. Another apsed chamber was added on the south side for the diaconicon. So that from this time forward, large Orthodox Churches were triapsidal (having three apses on the eastern side).Smaller churches still have only one chamber containing the altar, the prothesis and the diaconicon.

In theSyriac Churches,the ritual is different, as both prothesis and diaconicon are generally rectangular, and the former constitutes a chamber for the deposit of offerings by the faithful. Consequently, it is sometimes placed on the south side, if by doing so it is more accessible to the laity.

In theCoptic Orthodox Church,the men will enter the prothesis to receiveHoly Communion(the women receive in front of theholy doors), and must remove their shoes before entering.

See also

• Altar
• Diaconicon

External links

• Photo of ProthesisThe Altar is in the background, behind the line of priests.