Altar Steps

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orgel_maestro

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Hey guys, I’m sure we’ve all noticed that the high altar is always elevated above the the rest of the church and sits on the fifth step (pedella?) if you count the ground and the very top one where the altar is. I know that these uneven number of steps is supposed to be symbolic, but cant find the answer ne where. Does anyone know what the number of steps are supposed to symbolize?
 
There can be more, or less than 3 steps, the number however has to remain odd.
 
Typically our symbology uses the number five to recall the wounds of Christ.
 
The old Catholic Encyclopedia doesn’t explicitly cite canons on the matter, and predates the Pio-Benedictine CIC, so I’m not sure if we can definitely rule out two steps, but it does say there should be an odd number:

In the beginning altars were not erected on steps. Those in the catacombs were constructed on the pavement, and in churches they were usually erected over the confession, or spot where the remains of martyrs were deposited. In the fourth century the altar was supported by one step above the floor of the sanctuary. At present the number of steps leading up to the high altar is for symbolical reasons uneven; usually three, five, or seven, including the upper platform (predella). These steps are to pass around the altar on three sides. They may be of wood, stone, or bricks, but St. Charles (Instructions on Ecclesiastical Building, xi, no. 2) would have the two or four lower steps of stone or bricks, whilst he prescribes that the predella, on which the celebrant stands, should be made of wood. The steps should be about one foot in breadth. The predella should extend along the front of the altar with a breadth of about three feet six inches, and at the sides of the altar about one foot. The height of each step ought to be about six inches. Side altars must have at least one step.
newadvent.org/cathen/01356f.htm
 
I have heard previous of the three steps up to the high altar signifying the three-fold Sanctus, meaning we are stepping up to the holy of holy’s… therefore, steps each meaning “Holy, Holy, Holy”
 
If I am not mistaken, can’t there be two steps (two being the only even number allowed)?
The “footpace” (suppedaneum, predella) the altar sits on counts as a step. (Fortescue and O’Connel)

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There can be more than three, yet they have to be in an uneven number. This however is for the old structure of churches that is no longer required these days.

Ken
 
Traditionally (in the U.S.), side altars have 1 step, the main (high) altar has 3 steps, and the main altar in a cathedral has 5 steps.
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