Paten

Paten


Derrynaflan Paten, part of an 8th or 9th century communion set found in County Tipperary, Ireland

A paten, or diskos, is a small plate, usually made of silver or gold, used to hold Eucharistic bread which is to be consecrated. It is generally used during the service itself, while the reserved hosts are stored in the Tabernacle in a ciborium.

Contents

Western Usage

Traditional gold chalice and paten inscribed with IHS.

Within the Latin-Rite, the paten is typically either a simple saucer-like plate or a low bowl. A smaller style paten will often have a depression that allows it to securely sit on top of the chalice.[citation needed]

In more traditional denominations or parishes, altar servers may also use a small paten, usually attached to a short pole, which is placed under the chin of those receiving the Eucharist on the tongue; thus if the host accidentally falls, it would land on the paten rather than the floor.[1]

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal lays down rules for patens:

"[Like the chalice, the paten]...should be made from solid materials which are considered suitable in each region. The conference of bishops will be the judge in this matter. Materials which do not break or deteriorate easily are to be given preference."[2]

It is clear that patens and chalices do not have to be made of precious metal. Although this does not appear to rule out a material such as crystal, it would be considered unsuitable, whereas something such as ebony would be thought appropriate, and the use of a paten large enough for all is commended.[3]

It is also used among Lutherans.[4]

Eastern Christian Usage

Gilded silver diskos (16th century, Pskov).

In the Eastern Orthodox and Greek-Catholic Churches, the Paten is called a diskos and is elevated by a stand (or "foot") permanently attached underneath. The diskos is usually more ornate than its Latin-Rite counterpart, and must always be made of gold or at least be gold-plated. The diskos may be engraved with an icon of Jesus Christ, the Nativity of Christ, a cross, or more frequently, an icon of the Theotokos.

When a diskos is made, it is usually accompanied by a matching asterisk (small, folding metal stand used to keep the Aër from disturbing the particles on the diskos), a spoon (for distributing Holy Communion to the faithful), and a spear (used to cut the Lamb during the Liturgy of Preparation).

For Christians of the East the diskos symbolises the Virgin Mary, who received Christ into her womb, and gave him birth; and also the Tomb of Christ which received his body after the Crucifixion, and from which he resurrected.

Divine Liturgy

During the Divine Liturgy it is not only the Lamb (Host) that is placed on the diskos, but also particles to commemorate the Theotokos, the Saints, the living and the departed. Thus, on the diskos is represented the entire Church: the Church Militant and the Church Triumphant, arrayed around Christ. At the Great Entrance the deacon carries the Diskos, holding the foot of the diskos at his forehead. He then kneels at the side of the Holy Table, and the priest takes the diskos from him and places it on the Antimension. During the Anaphora, only the Lamb is consecrated.[citation needed]

At Holy Communion, the clergy partake of their portions of the Lamb directly from the diskos, but for the Communion of the faithful, the remainder of the Lamb is cut into small portions and placed in the chalice, from which the priest distributes Communion using the spoon. After Communion, the Deacon holds the diskos above the holy chalice and recites hymns of the Resurrection. Then he wipes the remaining particles (for the saints, living and departed) into the chalices saying the words:

"Wash away, O Lord, the sins of all those here commemorated, by Thy precious Blood, through the prayers of all Thy saints."[citation needed]

Sometimes, when a bishop celebrates the Liturgy, a smaller diskos is prepared for him with a small prosphoron from which he takes particles to commemorate the living and the departed before the Great Entrance.[citation needed]

Other Uses

During the Consecration of a Church, a diskos is used to hold the relics of the saints which will be sealed in the Holy Table and antimension by the bishop.

When a priest is ordained, a portion of the Lamb will be placed on a small diskos and given to him, as a sign of the Sacred Mysteries which are being entrusted to his care.

Blessing and Handling

In the Russian tradition, there is a special service of blessing used to sanctify a diskos before its first use at Liturgy. The diskos may be blessed separately or together in a set with the other sacred vessels. The blessing is normally done immediately before beginning of the Liturgy of Preparation, after which the priest carries the diskos into the danctuary and begins the service, using the newly-blessed vessel in that Liturgy.

Up until the first time a diskos is used in the Divine Liturgy it is considered to be an ordinary vessel, and may be touched by anyone. However, after having been used in the Divine Liturgy, a diskos may be touched only by a deacon, priest or bishop. A subdeacon may touch the sacred vessels, but only if they are securely wrapped in cloth.

When not in use, the chalice, diskos, and all the sacred vessels should remain on the Table of Oblation (prothesis), wrapped in their cloth bags—either sitting on top and covered with a cloth, or stored securely in a cabinet built into the prothesis.

Oriental Orthodox Usage

Coptic Rite

In the usage of the Coptic Orthodox Church, the diskos usually has a flat bottom with no foot. Additionally, it has a raised edge, forming a relatively high rim, preventing particles of the offered elements from falling to the floor.

See also

The paten from the Treasure of Gourdon (6th century)

References

  1. ^ [Liturgical Commission Publishings. 'Server at the Lord's Table, Handbook for Altar Servers. Liturgical Commission Publishings, Diocese of Lansing, 1995, p. 1]
  2. ^ General Instruction #290
  3. ^ General Instruction #292, 293
  4. ^ Altar Guild and Sacristy Handbook by S. Anita Stauffer (Augsburg Fortress)

Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Нужна курсовая?

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Paten — • A small shallow plate or disc of precious metal upon which the element of bread is offered to God at the Offertory of the Mass, and upon which the consecrated Host is again placed after the Fraction. Catholic Encyclopedia. Kevin Knight. 2006.… …   Catholic encyclopedia

  • Paten — Pat en, n. [LL. patina, patena, fr. L. patina, patena, a pan; cf. L. patere to be open, E. patent, and Gr. ? a kind of flat dish: cf. F. pat[ e]ne. Cf. {Patina}.] 1. A plate. [Obs.] [1913 Webster] 2. (Eccl.) The place on which the consecrated… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Paten — (mittelhochd. bate, pate, aus dem lat. pater, Taufzeugen, Sponsores, Fidejussores), erwachsene Personen, die bei der Kindertaufe im Namen der Unmündigen das Glaubensbekenntnis abzulegen und die damit verbundenen Fragen zu beantworten haben, womit …   Meyers Großes Konversations-Lexikon

  • Paten — (vom lat. pater, Vater), ursprünglich Bürgen (sponsōres) für die redliche Absicht der zur Taufe Angemeldeten, später nur Taufzeugen und Bürgen für christl. Erziehung. In der kath. Kirche gibt es auch bei der Firmung P., und das Patenamt begründet …   Kleines Konversations-Lexikon

  • paten — (n.) plate for bread at Eucharist, c.1300, from O.Fr. patene, from M.L. patena, from L. patina pan, dish, from Gk. patane flat dish, from petannynai to spread out (see PAN (Cf. pan) (n.)) …   Etymology dictionary

  • paten — [pat′ n] n. [ME < OFr patene < L patina: see PATELLA] a metal disk or plate, esp. one of precious metal for holding the bread in a Eucharistic service …   English World dictionary

  • Paten — This interesting surname has two origins. Firstly, it may be of English origin, being a diminutive of Pat(e), itself a pet name of Patrick, originally from the Latin given name Patricus , meaning patrician . Secondly, it may be of French origin,… …   Surnames reference

  • Paten —    The plate, made of precious metal, on which the Bread is consecrated at the Holy Communion and from which it is administered to the communicants. When properly made, the lower part of the Paten will fit into or over the edge of the chalice.… …   American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia

  • paten — noun Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo French patene, from Medieval Latin & Latin; Medieval Latin patina, from Latin, shallow dish, from Greek patanē Date: 14th century 1. a plate usually made of precious metal and used to carry the bread at… …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • paten — /pat n/, n. a metal plate on which the bread is placed in the celebration of the Eucharist. [1250 1300; ME pateyn(e) < OF patene < ML patena, patina Eucharistic plate (L: pan); akin to Gk patáne flat dish, L patere to be open (see PATENT)] * * * …   Universalium

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”