The tabernacle - what, where and why?

The artiphorion or tabernacle on the altar at a celebration of the Eucharist in the UkrainianGreek  Catholic Church.

The first mention of the word tabernacle is in the Hebrew Bible, in the Book of Exodus. It refers to the mishkan – the dwelling place of God:

“And have them make me a sanctuary, so that I may dwell among them. In accordance with all that I show you concerning the pattern of the tabernacle and of all its furniture, so you shall make it.” (Exodus 25:8–9)

The mishkan, or “Tent of Meeting”, was the place where, above all, the people approached God. God was among His people. It was a visible sign of His enduring presence – a local and physical sign. It housed the Ark of the Covenant, containing the Ten Commandments given to Moses.

Jumping forward to the first millennium following the Resurrection of Christ, Christians had reason to reserve the consecrated bread after the Eucharist, principally in order to bring it to the sick who were unable to participate in the celebration (Viaticum).

Over time, the reserved consecrated bread became a focus of special veneration. It is noteworthy that in the ancient rites and customs of both the Eastern (Orthodox) and Western Churches, the consecrated bread was housed in a special and sacred container on the altar where the Eucharist was celebrated. Only since the reforms of the 1960s has the tabernacle often been placed apart from the altar in the Roman Catholic Church. Today, it is typically located within the sanctuary, often behind or to the side of the altar where Mass is celebrated.

The sanctuary area including the altar and, behind it, the Tabernacle in my home parish of Holy Trinity church, Goresbridge, County Kilkenny

For Catholics, the tabernacle is a sacred and special place where Jesus Christ is truly, really, and substantially present in the Blessed Sacrament. It is a focal point for prayer, adoration, petition, and silent contemplation. Typically, a sanctuary lamp, often red, is placed nearby to signify that the Eucharistic presence of Christ is reserved there.

In some parts of the Anglican Communion, the Blessed Sacrament is reserved, usually for the purpose of Communion for the sick between celebrations of the Eucharist. However, some Anglo-Catholic (“High Church”) communities give a place of prominence to the reserved sacrament, as in the example below, where a hanging pyx is used. The image of the Bread of Heaven, or manna, suspended above the altar is striking.

High Wycombe Anglican church, Buckinghamshire. Photo by Sarumsleuth

Practice in the Eastern Orthodox Churches is similar in some respects to that of the Roman Catholic Church. There, the Artophorion (Greek for tabernacle) is placed on the altar where the priest celebrates the Divine Liturgy. An important difference, however, is that the Orthodox generally do not practice private Eucharistic adoration outside the liturgy, as is common in the West. Rather, the consecrated Gifts are venerated within the context of the liturgy itself.

Below is a striking and beautiful image of the sanctuary in a Russian Orthodox church.

In the centre of the sanctuary, beyond the Royal Doors, is the altar table, which can only be glimpsed from a distance when the doors are opened during services. The Holy Table, or Prestol, is where the Eucharistic sacrifice is offered; the Book of the Gospels rests there, the Antimension is placed upon it, and the reserved sacrament is kept in the Artophorion (tabernacle). It is honoured as the throne of God, the tomb of Christ, and the heavenly altar.

Note the “altar of oblation” to the left. It is called the Prothesis and is the place where the bread and wine are prepared before the Divine Liturgy.

The Altar at the Church of All Saints in Yekaterinburg - Sergei Pyatakov / Sputnik

Tomorrow, I will explore the place of the Antimension in the Eastern liturgy. It is rich in symbolism and draws together many Eucharistic themes.