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Questions tagged [altar]

An entity, traditionally made of stone and/or organic material, that is used to offer sacrifices to a deity.

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2 answers
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Did the early Church use the term "altar" or "table"?

I'm really trying find out more about how the early Church understood Communion, or the Eucharist, or the Lord's Table. One of the crucial aspects (for me) is whether they saw the Eucharist as a ...
Dan's user avatar
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0 votes
0 answers
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Sacriledge of Altar

Should the Altar in a Catholic Church be reconsecrated after a jr high boy, under the direction of his teacher and sanctioned by the priest, lay on top of the Altar while practicing The Stations of ...
Bantiox Guest House's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
130 views

Grasping the horns of the altar

1 Kings 2:28-29 (NIV) says: 28 When the news reached Joab, who had conspired with Adonijah though not with Absalom, he fled to the tent of the LORD and took hold of the horns of the altar. 29 King ...
Mark's user avatar
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3 votes
1 answer
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What is the meaning of a Catholic Saint being "Raised to the Altar"?

For example, in entry (150) of her Diary, St. Faustina relates the following from a mystical conversation she had with St. Therese of Lisieux: "Dear sweet Therese, tell me, shall I go to heaven?&...
DDS's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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What is the rationale for Greek Orthodox's erection of a wall between the congregates and the altar?

Other Christian religions (e.g. Lutheran, Catholic, Baptist, et al.) leave access to the altar open for their congregations. Is there a special theological reason the the different approach by the ...
ray grant's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
616 views

Does any non-Catholic denomination maintain Altar Lamp, following Lev 6:12-13?

We read in Lev 6:12-13 (NIV) : The fire on the altar must be kept burning; it must not go out. Every morning the priest is to add firewood and arrange the burnt offering on the fire and burn the fat ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
125 views

Are there Catholic Churches in any part of the world which have the Tabernacle fixed in the middle of the church?

Of late, there has been a controversy in the Syro-Malabar Catholic Church of Kerala, Southern India which follows the oriental rite. It comes after a decision by a recent Synod that the celebrant of ...
Kadalikatt Joseph Sibichan's user avatar
4 votes
1 answer
776 views

In light of the many changes in regulations, what is the purpose of the Roman Catholic altar and is it neccessary for a valid Mass?

The following has been compiled from several CSE questions (and comments); here, here, and here as well as Wikipedia and an article from Slate magazine. At the second council of Nicaea 787, Catholic ...
Mike Borden's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
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Five related questions regarding the relics which consecrate Roman Catholic altars?

The altars in Roman Catholic churches must be consecrated with a saint's relic (preferably a martyred saint). These "relics" are body parts, usually a small bone fragment but sometimes what ...
Mike Borden's user avatar
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4 votes
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Does the Catholic Church have a policy on how altars are to be destroyed?

Recently, I saw some articles about how a Catholic priest got defrocked following his arrest for performing indecent activities in a public place, after a bystander walking past his church one night ...
nick012000's user avatar
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5 votes
1 answer
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What does "Altare privilegiatum" mean exactly today?

Does anyone know what "Altare privilegiatum" means today? I mean, in former times it meant that the altar was privileged and one can get an indulgence. I also know, that for some of those altars, ...
TomS's user avatar
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4 votes
1 answer
118 views

Are the any Christian denominations that have doctrines in place that prohibit a national flag in the worship space?

I am somewhat troubled by the presence of an American flag anywhere in a sanctuary / worship space. This sentiment is especially stark when said flag shares the same space / level as an altar. I ...
Stephen's user avatar
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5 votes
3 answers
7k views

Why did the temple in Ezekiel have stairs leading up to the altar?

In exodus God expressly forbade going up the stairs to the altar. Exodus 20:26 Neither shalt thou go up by steps unto mine altar, that thy nakedness be not discovered thereon. So why does Ezekiel ...
One Face's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
4k views

Why don't Presbyterians have altars? [closed]

Why don't Presbyterians have altars in their churches or in their homes? Who administers the sacraments, especially communion, then without an altar? Do children help out at all? In other churches, ...
Double U's user avatar
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