Page:Orthodox Eastern Church (Fortescue).djvu/451

Rh which to stand. It is never placed on the chalice. Then the ᾽᾽Asteriskos᾽᾽, a cross of bent metal, which stands over the diskos. Both chalice and diskos are covered with small veils, and a large veil, the Aer is then laid over both. A spoon is used for giving Holy Communion, and the holy lance, a long knife, for cutting up the bread. They have a sponge for purifying the diskos, and a fan, made of a long handle and a flat picture of a seraph with six wings, which the deacon waves over the Blessed Sacrament. All these vessels stand on the prothesis (credence table) when the liturgy begins. Candles in candlesticks are carried before processions, and a thurible with incense is used continually. The Antimension corresponds to our corporal and altar-stone. It is a square piece of linen doubled, in which are sewn up relics anointed with chrism. It is always consecrated by a bishop, and it lies folded upon the altar. The priest unfolds it during the liturgy, and folds it again at the end. It is generally ornamented with a design, representing the entombment of our Lord, with the four Evangelists and the instruments of the Passion, printed in black ink. I have seen one made of silk. There are no relics in an Orthodox altar: the antimension is really a sort of portable altar. In the diakonikon is kept a vessel of hot water during the liturgy (p. 416).

Before we come to a description of the modern Byzantine liturgy, a word about their Church music will be interesting, especially now that every one is discussing ours. The Orthodox, like the Catholics, have two kinds of Church music — plain song and figured music. But their figured music never sank to the depth of degradation from which Pope Pius X has now rescued us. No Orthodox Church under any circumstances ever has any musical instrument at all; all their music is

1 It is just a frame to keep the veil from touching the bread.

2 See the illustration of the vessels and instruments.

3 and  are both hybrid words (-mensa, -manica).

4 ''Cf. E. d'Or.,'' iii. pp. 193-202, L'Antimension.