The Antimension: Cloth Linking Liturgy to Christ's Burial and the Martyrs

During the Orthodox Divine Liturgy the priest unfolds a consecrated linen or silk cloth called the antimension upon the Holy Altar. The cloth typically depicts Christ's entombment with the four Evangelists at its corners and often bears words from the Holy Saturday hymn describing Joseph of Arimathea wrapping Christ's body in fine linen and laying it in a new tomb.

The image and hymn connect the antimension with Christ's burial and His saving sacrifice. When folded the antimension is kept inside a protective cloth called the eileton, often red, beneath the Gospel Book; traditional explanations associate these cloths with the burial linens of Christ. The priest unfolds them in preparation for the Eucharistic offering and after Communion carefully gathers any sacred particles remaining on them.

The antimension is consecrated by a bishop and bears his signature authorizing its use. The bishop is the chief pastor of his diocese and stands within the Church's apostolic succession; even when absent the priest celebrates with his blessing. The signed antimension expresses the communion of bishop, clergy, and faithful within the one Orthodox Church.

Ordinarily the antimension contains a small relic of a saint, traditionally a martyr, secured in a sewn pocket. This preserves the early Christian practice of celebrating the Eucharist at the tombs of martyrs. Beneath the Holy Gifts rests a tangible reminder of those who remained faithful to Christ even unto death and who live in Him.