Catholic Words

[Julia_Mae]

Being a convert, I often don’t know the right words for things. In our church we have a large crucifix behind the altar. Does it have a special name because it’s huge and behind the altar on the wall instead of little and hanging around my neck? Or do we just call it a “crucifix?”

 

[YoungTradCath]

It’s just a “crucifix.” Or, you could call it an “altar crucifix.”

 

[Mrs_Sally]

The crucifix behind the altar (or hanging over it) is just called a crucifix.

If there is a decorated wall behind the altar that the crucifix is part of, that wall is called a reredos. Usually they are only in older churches where the altar was built against the wall.

 

[TheMc]

If it is the primary crucifix in the sanctuary, it would properly be called the altar cross, unless there’s clearly another one, such as one actually on the altar, or very near it.

 

[Julia_Mae]

thanks folks!

 

[Miserissima]

The crucifix behind the altar (or hanging over it) is just called a crucifix.

If there is a decorated wall behind the altar that the crucifix is part of, that wall is called a reredos. Usually they are only in older churches where the altar was built against the wall.

The wall behind the altar in our church is plain and free standing – it’s not attached to the main wall behind it; we hang banners from it. A bit of trivia is that this kind of wall is not a ‘reredo’ but a ‘dossal.’