Home altars

[Mystrx]

Wow, Zekariya, that’s AMAZING!

Agreed. Very beautiful.

 

[realcatholic15]

Yes, we have a home altar – have had it for years. At advent we pull our usual items and put the creche there with a few assorted icons. At lent, I subsitute a black Madonna and other more somber sacred items. Each season, we wash the altar cloth and carefully and prayerfully wash or dust each statue.

Each morning we light a candle and say a prayer. We say our family rosary facing the altar. It is the heart-center, heart beat of our family.

My son likes to stand on a stool when we pray before the altar so he can see it better.

Don’t know much else to say – family/home altars are often (if not usually) women’s work, women’s heart-creations… you have to follow your own heart in creating one. Expect it to grow and expand over the years and over the prayers…

I find myself touching it as I pass - - we keep our altar in the living room in a nexus point of the house.

If someone gives us a picture of their newborn, or writes a note asking for prayers or sharing a blessing, we put it on the altar for a bit.

sojo

Hi…
Pray for me. I hope that the relics of Saint Michael the Archangel arrive in my home as soon as possible. Please include me in your daily rosaries. Thank you…

 

[realcatholic15]

I am sorry to make this comment probably out of ignorance, but I think that it would address this concept of the home altar. The altar is a place where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass should be celebrated. Are you planning to have a Mass celebrated on that altar?

If so then I would say that for a Traditionalist Catholic, the individual should look for a portable altar like the ones used in the past. A portable or home altar used to be the size of a tile with the relic of a saint embedded in it, and Rome would have an list of all the portable/home altars that have been distributed.

Hi.
Please pray for me. I want to receive my relics of Saint michael as soon as possible. Include my relic request in your prayers.
THank you very much

 

[Zekariya]

Hi…
Pray for me. I hope that the relics of Saint Michael the Archangel arrive in my home as soon as possible. Please include me in your daily rosaries. Thank you…

Prayers offered.

 

[Zekariya]

I’ve now added a Gospel Book and oil lamps.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/559806_132378860266788_229814307_n.jpg

 

[CatholicLife]

I’ve now added a Gospel Book and oil lamps.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/559806_132378860266788_229814307_n.jpg

I’m a bit jealous.

 

[brasta_septim]

Now that icon corner puts mine to shame… especially considering mine looks more like a Latin side altar with icons behind it than naything else. Strange, considering I’m Byzantine Catholic.

 

[Leon_Bloy]

You make me feel like an amateur.

Makes us all feel like amateurs

 

[Leon_Bloy]

Zekariya, what is in the bottles you have to the left of your home altar?

 

[Zekariya]

Now that icon corner puts mine to shame… especially considering mine looks more like a Latin side altar with icons behind it than naything else. Strange, considering I’m Byzantine Catholic.

No place dedicated to worshipping God is to be put to shame. If you pray there, it is better than an empty Cathedral.

Zekariya, what is in the bottles you have to the left of your home altar?

Some Anointing for the Sick Oil that an Orthodox priest gave (I was later told by another priest that he shouldn’t have given me that) and Theophany Holy Water.

 

[Stephanie010]

Wow! You’re so amazing Zekariya, you’re a good example… I wanted to be like you…very religious.

Home altars also keep us away from sin…

 

[Pancakes]

I’ve now added a Gospel Book and oil lamps.

http://sphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ash3/559806_132378860266788_229814307_n.jpg

That is one of the most beautiful prayer corners I have seen. Nicely done .

Who is the saint under the Last Supper icon? The one who looks similar to the picture in your signature? And also the one second down, on the right of the wall’s corner, in blue? And also the one of Mary to its left?

LOL so many questions haha. And what is the big wooden thing in the center, on the table? It’s flat and looks similar to a platter… And what about the Gospel book - I assume it’s just the Gospels?

 

[Zekariya]

That is one of the most beautiful prayer corners I have seen. Nicely done .

Thanks!

Who is the saint under the Last Supper icon? The one who looks similar to the picture in your signature?

St Cyril of Alexandria.

And also the one second down, on the right of the wall’s corner, in blue? And also the one of Mary to its left?

I am not certain which you are speaking of… On the right wall in blue… The second from the top (below the Crucifix) is Christ the Great High Priest and St John the Baptist is beside Christ. Three down (from below the Crucifix) and fifth across is St Cyprian of Carthage. Fourth down (from below the Crucifix) is St Moses and St Aaron in the Tabernacle.

To the left of Mary is my patron Saint, the Holy Prophet Zechariah (one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament).

LOL so many questions haha. And what is the big wooden thing in the center, on the table? It’s flat and looks similar to a platter… And what about the Gospel book - I assume it’s just the Gospels?

Question are good.

The wooden thing is a Coptic Holy Tablet. When one is consecrated by the bishop (mine is not consecrated), it is essentially a portable altar. Wherever it is placed can be used as an altar. It is usually used on top of what looks like a full sized altar/table. It is required to celebrate the Coptic Divine Liturgy (Mass). Only what is on the Holy Tablet becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.

The Gospel Book is in the KJV translation set according to the Byzantine liturgical calendar.

Feel free to ask about anything else.

 

[Pancakes]

Thanks!

St Cyril of Alexandria.

I am not certain which you are speaking of… On the right wall in blue… The second from the top (below the Crucifix) is Christ the Great High Priest and St John the Baptist is beside Christ. Three down (from below the Crucifix) and fifth across is St Cyprian of Carthage. Fourth down (from below the Crucifix) is St Moses and St Aaron in the Tabernacle.

To the left of Mary is my patron Saint, the Holy Prophet Zechariah (one of the twelve minor prophets of the Old Testament).

Question are good.

The wooden thing is a Coptic Holy Tablet. When one is consecrated by the bishop (mine is not consecrated), it is essentially a portable altar. Wherever it is placed can be used as an altar. It is usually used on top of what looks like a full sized altar/table. It is required to celebrate the Coptic Divine Liturgy (Mass). Only what is on the Holy Tablet becomes the Body and Blood of Christ.

The Gospel Book is in the KJV translation set according to the Byzantine liturgical calendar.

Feel free to ask about anything else.

I thought as much .

Hmmm. Directly under the crucifix, second down. It’s left of an icon of the Virgin Mary, and has a blue background. Alternatively, if you go to the St. Cyril icon I was asking about, it’s the third icon to the left of that.

Wow - that Holy Tablet is interesting. What do you do with it?

Also, where did you get the Gospel Book?

Thanks for the answers - much appreciated .

 

[CatholicLife]

I thought as much .

Hmmm. Directly under the crucifix, second down. It’s left of an icon of the Virgin Mary, and has a blue background. Alternatively, if you go to the St. Cyril icon I was asking about, it’s the third icon to the left of that.

Wow - that Holy Tablet is interesting. What do you do with it?

Also, where did you get the Gospel Book?

Thanks for the answers - much appreciated .

Christ the High Priest? Sorry about butting in!
http://www.lucascleophas.nl/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Christ-High-Priest-icon-2.jpg

 

[Zekariya]

I thought as much .

Hmmm. Directly under the crucifix, second down. It’s left of an icon of the Virgin Mary, and has a blue background. Alternatively, if you go to the St. Cyril icon I was asking about, it’s the third icon to the left of that.

Still not certain so I will list them off.

Sts Abraham, Issac, and Jacob < Jesus the Good Shepherd < St Melchizedek < St King David < St Stephen the First Martyr < St Zechariah (of the twelve minor prophets) < Mary the Mother of God (under the Crucifix)

(under the Crucifix) Christ > St John the Baptist > St Lawrence the Roman Deacon Martyr > St Cyril of Alexandria > (Coptic) St Severus of Antioch > St Nicholas

Wow - that Holy Tablet is interesting. What do you do with it?

Also, where did you get the Gospel Book?

Thanks for the answers - much appreciated .

I use the Holy Tablet as a devotional item (like the Icons) for my pseudo-chaple.

Here is where I purchased the Gospel Book: easternchristiansupply.biz/-#books/c14/c13438/53260

 

[Pancakes]

Christ the High Priest? Sorry about butting in!
http://www.lucascleophas.nl/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Christ-High-Priest-icon-2.jpg

Haha no it’s okay. It must be Christ the High Preist, then.

Still not certain so I will list them off.

Sts Abraham, Issac, and Jacob < Jesus the Good Shepherd < St Melchizedek < St King David < St Stephen the First Martyr < St Zechariah (of the twelve minor prophets) < Mary the Mother of God (under the Crucifix)

(under the Crucifix) Christ > St John the Baptist > St Lawrence the Roman Deacon Martyr > St Cyril of Alexandria > (Coptic) St Severus of Antioch > St Nicholas

I use the Holy Tablet as a devotional item (like the Icons) for my pseudo-chaple.

Here is where I purchased the Gospel Book: easternchristiansupply.biz/-#books/c14/c13438/53260

Thank you so much. Again, really really awesome home altar. It must be really inspiring and relaxing to pray there .

 

[Zekariya]

CatholicLife;10524277:

Christ the High Priest? Sorry about butting in!
http://www.lucascleophas.nl/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/Christ-High-Priest-icon-2.jpg

Haha no it’s okay. It must be Christ the High Preist, then.

Concerning that posted Icon, It says: “Jesus Christ (IC XC), King of Kings (Ο ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΣ ΤΩΝ ΒΑΣΙΛΕΥΟΝΤΩΝ), and Great Archpriest (ΚΑΙ ΜΕΓΑΣ ΑΡΧΙΕΡΕΥΣ).”

Thank you so much. Again, really really awesome home altar. It must be really inspiring and relaxing to pray there .

Thank you! I am disabled and have been using my spending money to build it. It is wonderful to pray there.

 

[landon13]

I want to share my prayer shrine during Holy Week. I have removed many images that are hanging on the walls and also removed the crucifix from the altar. All I have left are a few candles, empty Holy Water fonts, a cellar of Blessed Salt, and my first class relics inside my altar. I have also covered the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and an icon of Christ that I have on the wall. And, I closed up a wooden icon of the Blessed Virgin and Child Jesus there on my altar. I did leave the nails in the wall for hanging images up because I like to remember that this is empty and what is missing before Christ’s sacrifice on Good Friday when all I will uncover is the Crucifix until Easter Sunday. This is very contemplative during Holy Week. I plan on putting Blessed Palms on the altar after mass today.

View attachment 16743

In my room, I have my crucifix covered as well. This is my favorite contemplation for when I pray the rosary and look at the veiled crucifix. I did leave the icon of St. John the Baptist, my patron saint, in place because I like to think of what it was like before Christ died and St. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ so, it makes sense.

View attachment 16744

 

[Zekariya]

I want to share my prayer shrine during Holy Week. I have removed many images that are hanging on the walls and also removed the crucifix from the altar. All I have left are a few candles, empty Holy Water fonts, a cellar of Blessed Salt, and my first class relics inside my altar. I have also covered the images of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and an icon of Christ that I have on the wall. And, I closed up a wooden icon of the Blessed Virgin and Child Jesus there on my altar. I did leave the nails in the wall for hanging images up because I like to remember that this is empty and what is missing before Christ’s sacrifice on Good Friday when all I will uncover is the Crucifix until Easter Sunday. This is very contemplative during Holy Week. I plan on putting Blessed Palms on the altar after mass today.

View attachment 16743

In my room, I have my crucifix covered as well. This is my favorite contemplation for when I pray the rosary and look at the veiled crucifix. I did leave the icon of St. John the Baptist, my patron saint, in place because I like to think of what it was like before Christ died and St. John the Baptist prepared the way for Christ so, it makes sense.

View attachment 16744

Awesome! Very contemplative!