Altarstipes

English translation: altar support

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
German term or phrase:Altarstipes
English translation:altar support
Entered by: Colette Kinsella

16:02 Apr 23, 2006
German to English translations [PRO]
Art/Literary - History / museum inventory
German term or phrase: Altarstipes
Part of a museum inventory

Got me stumped!

Thanks for the help!
Colette Kinsella
Ireland
Local time: 08:58
altar support
Explanation:
The component parts of a fixed altar in the liturgical sense are the table (mensa), the support (stipes) and the sepulchrum. (See ALTAR-CAVITY.) The table must be a single slab of stone firmly joined by cement to the support, so that the table and support together make one piece. The surface of this table should be perfectly smooth and polished. Five Greek crosses are engraved on its surface, one at each of the four corners, about six inches from both edges. but directly above the support, and one in the centre. The support may be either a solid mass or it may consist of four or more columns. These must be of natural stone, firmly joined to the table. The substructure need not, however, consist of one piece, but should in every case be built on a solid foundation so as to make the structure permanent. The support may have any of the following forms:
• at each corner a column of natural stone, and the spaces between the columns may be filled with any kind of stone, brick, or cement;
• the space between the two columns in front may be left open, so as to place beneath the table (exposed) a reliquary containing the body (or a portion of the body) of a saint;
• besides the four columns, one at each corner, a fifth column may be placed in the centre at the front. In this case the back, and if desired the sides also, may be filled with stone, brick, or cement;
• if the table is small (it should in every case be larger than the stone of a portable altar), four columns are placed under it, one at each corner and, to make up the full length required, frames of stone or other material may be added to each side. these added portions are not consecrated, and hence may be constructed after the ceremony of consecration;
• if the table is deficient in width, four columns are placed under it, one at each corner, and a frame of stone or other material is added to the back. This addition is not consecrated, and may be constructed after the consecration of the altar.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01346a.htm
Selected response from:

Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 02:58
Grading comment
:-)
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



Summary of answers provided
4stipes
Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch
3altar support
Kim Metzger


  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 3/5Answerer confidence 3/5
altar support


Explanation:
The component parts of a fixed altar in the liturgical sense are the table (mensa), the support (stipes) and the sepulchrum. (See ALTAR-CAVITY.) The table must be a single slab of stone firmly joined by cement to the support, so that the table and support together make one piece. The surface of this table should be perfectly smooth and polished. Five Greek crosses are engraved on its surface, one at each of the four corners, about six inches from both edges. but directly above the support, and one in the centre. The support may be either a solid mass or it may consist of four or more columns. These must be of natural stone, firmly joined to the table. The substructure need not, however, consist of one piece, but should in every case be built on a solid foundation so as to make the structure permanent. The support may have any of the following forms:
• at each corner a column of natural stone, and the spaces between the columns may be filled with any kind of stone, brick, or cement;
• the space between the two columns in front may be left open, so as to place beneath the table (exposed) a reliquary containing the body (or a portion of the body) of a saint;
• besides the four columns, one at each corner, a fifth column may be placed in the centre at the front. In this case the back, and if desired the sides also, may be filled with stone, brick, or cement;
• if the table is small (it should in every case be larger than the stone of a portable altar), four columns are placed under it, one at each corner and, to make up the full length required, frames of stone or other material may be added to each side. these added portions are not consecrated, and hence may be constructed after the ceremony of consecration;
• if the table is deficient in width, four columns are placed under it, one at each corner, and a frame of stone or other material is added to the back. This addition is not consecrated, and may be constructed after the consecration of the altar.

http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/01346a.htm


Kim Metzger
Mexico
Local time: 02:58
Works in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 212
Grading comment
:-)
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18 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 4/5Answerer confidence 4/5
stipes


Explanation:
possible in english, too.

Matthias Quaschning-Kirsch
Germany
Local time: 09:58
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in GermanGerman

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
neutral  Francis Lee (X): can you tell us why you're so sure about that? / guess I'll have to take your word for it on that one ;-)
15 hrs
  -> Came across this term several times when visiting medieval churches in Ireland.
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