page_title: Antependium
section_title: Eastern Christianity
hierarchical_section_title: Antependium / Types of antipendia / Eastern Christianity
caption_attribution_description: Deutsch: Kirche «Maria Obchut» in Düsseldorf Русский: Церковь Покрова Пресвятой Богородицы в Дюссельдорфе. English: Divine Liturgy at Holy Protection Church in Düsseldorf
context_page_description: An antependium, also known as a parament or hanging, or, when speaking specifically of the hanging for the altar, an altar frontal, is a decorative piece, usually of textile, but also metalwork, stone or other material that can adorn a Christian altar.
  Specifically, and as the etymology of the word suggests, an antependium hangs down in front of whatever it covers, and is to be distinguished from the altar linens which are used in the service of the Eucharist, and an altar cloth which covers the top of the altar table.
context_section_description: In the Orthodox Church, the Holy Table (altar) may be covered with one or two coverings. There is always an outer frontal, covering the top of the Holy Table and hanging down several inches on all four sides. This kind is used alone if the front of the Holy Table is elaborately carved or decorated. For a "fully vested" Holy Table, a second, inner hanging is used. This covers the Holy Table fully on the top and hangs down to the floor on all four sides.
  The analogia (icon stands) are covered with a covering known as a proskynitarion. As with the coverings used on the Holy Table, there may, again, be only one outer covering or also a second, inner covering that hangs to the floor (though, in this case, sometimes only in the front and back).
caption: Russian Orthodox priest standing in front of a fully vested altar (Düsseldorf, Germany).
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