Altar

This is the most sacred part of the Church. It is on the altar table where the offering of bread and wine changes into the very Body and Blood of Christ. The altar table is symbolic of the Ark of the Covenant and has within it the relic (bone of a holy martyr) revealing that the Church is built on the faith of the martyrs. Placed on the top of the table are the Antiminsion, the book of the four Gospels, the tabernacle containing the reserve sacrament and candels. For this reason only ordained clergy are allowed to touch the table or anything on it. Never cross from one side of the altar to the other in the front of it and always make the sign of the cross at the high place.