An altar cloth is used in the Christian liturgy to cover the altar. It serves as a sign of reverence as well as a decoration and a protection of the altar and the sacred vessels. In the orthodox churches it is covered by the antimension, which also contains the relics of saints.
Altar cloth in the Roman rite
The High Altar at St. John the Divine, Kennington, London.
A purificator laid on a chalice
A pall, embroidered with the Agnus Dei
An altar is a table or platform for the presentation of religious offerings, for sacrifices, or for other ritualistic purposes. Altars are found at shrines, temples, churches, and other places of worship. They are used particularly in paganism, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism, Judaism, modern paganism, and in certain Islamic communities around Caucasia and Asia Minor. Many historical-medieval faiths also made use of them, including the Roman, Greek, and Norse religions.
Altar in Roskilde Cathedral beneath by a carved reredos
Horned altar at Tel Be'er Sheva, Israel.
Ancient Greek kylix showing a hoplite offering a sacrifice before an altar, around 480 BC. Ancient Agora Museum of Athens in the Stoa of Attalus
The ancient Altar of Pergamon, reconstructed at the Pergamon museum, Berlin.
