Ciborium

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A ciborium is a container used in Roman Catholic, Anglican, and related Churches' to store the consecrated hosts of the sacrament of Holy Communion. Its shape resembles that of a chalice but is more round than conical, and takes its name from its cover, surmounted by a cross or other sacred design. In some churches, ciborium also describes a canopy or covering over the sanctuary in a basilica, supported by columns.

In the early Christian Church, Holy Communion was not kept in churches for fear of sacrilege or desecration. Later, the first ciboria were kept at homes to be handy for the Last Rites where needed. In churches, a ciborium is usually kept in a tabernacle or aumbry. In some cases, it may be veiled (see photograph below) to indicate the presence of the consecrated hosts.

Other containers for the host include the paten (a small plate) or a basin (for loaves of bread rather than wafers) used at the time of consecration and distribution at the main service of Holy Eucharist. A pyx is a small, circular container into which a few consecrated hosts can be placed. Pyxes are typically used to bring communion to the sick or shut-in.

It is also the name of an architectural feature in a Catholic church that covers the sanctuary and altar, also known as a baldachin.

St. Peter's, Rome

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

• http://www.ichrusa.com/saintsalive/crosses.htm
• http://www.jaroslaw.dominikanie.pl/bazylika/zakrys.html
• Catholic Encyclopedia: "Ciborium"
• http://www.britannica.com/eb/article-9011928