Antimins

An antimins (from the Greek anti, "instead of," and Latin mensa, "table," meaning "instead of the table") is a rectangular piece of cloth, usually made of linen or silk, used in Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgical celebrations. It is one of the most important items in the altar of these churches.

The antimins is consecrated by a bishop and contains a relic sewn into it, typically a small fragment of the bone of a martyr. It serves as a substitute for a consecrated altar when a proper altar is not available or when the altar's consecration is incomplete. Without a properly consecrated antimins, the Divine Liturgy cannot be celebrated.

The antimins is typically kept folded in the center of the Holy Table (altar). During the Divine Liturgy, it is unfolded and laid out upon the Holy Table. The Gospel Book and the Eucharistic vessels (chalice and paten) are placed upon it. The antimins symbolizes the tomb of Christ, and its unfolding represents the opening of the tomb after the Resurrection.

The bishop's signature, or epitrachilion, is usually embroidered or written on the antimins, signifying his blessing and authorization for the celebration of the Divine Liturgy in that location. The antimins is a symbol of the authority delegated by the bishop to the priest to celebrate the Eucharist.

Care is taken to ensure the antimins is treated with the utmost reverence, as it is a holy object containing a relic and directly connected to the celebration of the Eucharist.