An altar is a pile or structure raised above the ground for receiving sacrifices to some divinity. The Greek and Roman altars were various in form, and often highly ornamental; in temples they were usually placed before the statue of the god. In the Jewish ceremonial the altar held an important place, and was associated with many of the most significant rites of religion. Two altars were erected in the tabernacle in the wilderness, and the same number in the temple, according to instructions given to Moses in MountSinai. These were called the altar of burnt-offering and the altar of incense. In some sections of the Christian church the communion-table, or table on which the eucharist is placed, is called an altar. In the primitive church it was a table of wood, but subsequently stone and metal were introduced with rich ornaments, sculpture, and painting. After the introduction of Gothic art the altar frequently became a lofty and most elaborate structure. Originally there was but one altar in a church, but latterly there might be several in a large church, the chief or high altar standing at the east end. Over an altar there is often a painting (an altar-piece), and behind it there may be an ornamental altar-screen separating the choir from the east end of the church. Lights are often placed on or near the altar. Research Altar
An ambry was a cupboard or chest designed to contain the tools of one's profession. In a church, the ambry was a niche or cupboard near the altar designed to hold the utensils requisite for conducting worship - sacred vessels, the Host, holy oil etc. In monasteries an ambry was a pantry or linen press. Research Ambry
Celibacy is the state of being celibate or unmarried, the term being especially applied to the voluntary life of abstinence from marriage followed by many religious devotees and by some orders of clergy, as those of the Roman Catholic Church.
The ancient Egyptian priests preserved a rigid chastity; the priestesses of ancient Greece and Rome were pledged to perpetual virginity; and celibacy was for long the rule with the Buddhist priests of the East. Among Christians the earliest aspirants to the spiritual perfection supposed to be attainable through celibacy were not ecclesiastics as such, but hermits and anchorites who aimed at superior sanctity. During the first three centuries the marriage of the clergy was freely permitted, but by the Council of Elvira in 305 continence was enjoined on all who served at the altar. For centuries this subject led to many struggles in the church, but was finally settled by Gregory VII positively forbidding the marriage of the clergy. The Council of Trent in 1593 confirmed this rule. In the Greek Church celibacy is not compulsory on the ordinary clergy. Protestants hold that there is no moral superiority in celibacy over marriage, and that the church has no right to impose such an obligation on any class of her ministers. Research Celibacy
A credence table was a 'tasting' table used in Italy at a time when attempts to poison princes and nobles was a common practice. Today a credence table is a small table in a church by the side of the altar on which the bread and wine are placed ready for the Eucharist. Research Credence Table
The gradual is the psalm, anthem, or hymn, said or sung in the service of the Roman Catholic Church between the Epistle and the Gospel. It is so named from being anciently chanted on the steps of the ambo or pulpit, or of the altar. By an easy transition the name was frequently applied to the Anti-phonary, which was originally one of the three service books of the church, but afterwards in the llth or 12th century included in the missal. Research Gradual
Alessandro Algardi was an Italian sculptor. He was born in 1602 and died in 1654. He was one of the chief Italian sculptors of the seventeenth century and lived and worked chiefly at Borne. He executed the tomb of Leo XI in St. Peter's, and a marblerelief with life-size figures over the altar of St Leo there. Research Alessandro Algardi
Correggio was the name taken by Antonio Allegri from his birthplace near Modena. He was an Italian painter and was born in 1494 at Corregio and died in 1534. Little is known of his life, which was very retired. Almost the only anecdote told of him is that on seeing the St Cecilia of Raphael he exclaimed 'Anch 'io son pittore' (I also am a painter), but thia is doubtful. Correggio is unrivalled in chiaroscuro and in the grace and rounding of his figures. Among his best pictures are Night, in which the chief light is the glory beaming from the infant Saviour; the St Jerome; the Marriage of St Catherine; several Madonnas, one of them (called La Zingarella, or the Gipsy Girl) said to represent his wife; the Penitent Magdalene; the altar-pieces of St Francis, St George, and St Sebastian; Christ in the Garden of Olives; the fresco of the Ascension in the Church of St John, Parma; the Assumption of the Virgin in the cathedral of the same city; the Ecce Homo, and Cupid, Mercury, and Venus, both in the National Gallery, London. Research Correggio
Ecclesiastically, a deacon is a person in the lowest degree of holy orders. The office of deacon was instituted by the apostles, and seven persons were chosen at first to serve at the feasts of Christians, and distribute bread and wine to the communicants, and to minister to the wants of the poor. In the Roman Catholic Church the deacon is the chief minister at the altar. He assists the priest in the celebration of mass, and on certain conditions can preach and baptize. In the Church of England the deacon is the lowest of the three orders of priesthood, these being bishops, priests, and deacons. The deacon may perform all the ordinary offices of the Christian priesthood except consecrating the elements at the administration of the Lord's Supper, and pronouncing the absolution. In Presbyterian churches the deacon's office is to attend to the secular interests, and in Independent churches it is the same, with the addition that he has to distribute the bread and wine to the communicants.
In Scotland, a deacon is the president of an incorporated trade, who is the chairman of its meetings and signs its records. Before the passing of the Burgh Reform Act the deacons of the crafts, or incorporated trades, in royal burghs, formed a constituent part of the town-council, and were understood to represent the trades as distinguished from the merchants and guild brethren. Research Deacon
Gaspar Crayer was a a Dutch painter. He was born in 1582 at Antwerp and died in 1669. He gained a great reputation as a historical and portrait painter. He painted a great number of altar-pieces for Ghent, Brussels, and other cities of the Netherlands, and received high praise from Rubens. Research Gaspar Crayer
Gaudenzio Ferrari was an Italian painter. He was born in 1480 at Piedmont and died in 1546. He became famous during his lifetime, and painted numerous frescoes for the churches of the Duchy of Milan, as well as the altar-piece in the Church of San Gaudenzio at Novara. Research Gaudenzio Ferrari
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Altar
