In the

Syriac Orthodox Church , native_name_lang = syc , image = St_George_Syriac_orthodox_church_in_Damascus.jpg , imagewidth = 250 , alt = Cathedral of Saint George , caption = Cathedral of Saint George, Damascus ...

a thabilitho is a wooden slab placed at the center of the altar and covered with cloth. During Holy Qurbono (the

Eucharist The Eucharist (; from Greek , , ), also known as Holy Communion and the Lord's Supper, is a Christian rite that is considered a sacrament in most churches, and as an ordinance in others. According to the New Testament, the rite was instit ...

) the paten and chalice are placed over it. It is consecrated with chrism by a bishop during the consecration of a church. Each thabilitho has inscribed on it the following: "The Holy Ghost has hallowed this thabilitho by the hands of Mar..." and the year. The Holy Qurbono can be celebrated anywhere on a thabilitho, and cannot be celebrated without one. The thabilitho symbolizes the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.

Sources

See also