Church tabernacle

Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodoxy, and some Lutheran and Anglican traditions, the tabernacle functions as a box-like or dome-like vessel used exclusively for the reservation of the consecrated Eucharist. It is ordinarily constructed of solid, non-transparent, durable materials such as metal, stone, or wood, is fitted with a lock, and is required by liturgical and canonical norms to be immovable and secured so as to protect the sacrament from profanation or unauthorized removal. Since these denominations believe the Eucharist contains the real presence of Jesus, they utilize the term tabernacle to signal God's presence among the believers. The "reserved Eucharist" is secured in the tabernacle for distribution at services and to bring the Holy Communion to the sick. Within the Western Church, it serves as a focal point for reflection, meditation, and prayer. Until the late 20th century, the Christian tabernacle must be covered with a tent-like veil, otherwise known as conopaeum, or have curtains across it when the Eucharist is present within, including the colors white, gold, or the priest's liturgical colors. The purposes of conopaeum is "a sign of the reservation of the