Altare Est Christus : A Study of the Theology of Altar in Its Multidimensional Significance in Reference to the Roman and the Syro-Malabar Traditions / Devadas Duguta.

includes index and biblioraphy

1. Concept of Altar in Ancient world Religions and in Judeo-Christian Traditions Etymology of the term Alter..........8 General Concept of Altar.........9 Notion of Altar in Pre-Christian Religious...........12 2. History of Altar in the Christian Tradition Altar in the Early Church ................55 House church Altars.........58 Emergence of the permanent stone Altar.............65 Forms of Altar Since the fourth Century................72 Relics of Saints in Dedication of the Altar ............74 Consecrated hosts in Dedication of Altar.................75 Altar and precious Metals .............76 Adorenment of Altar after the Freedom of the Church ..............77 Ciborium or Altar Canopy ............82 Multiplication of Altars during 9th to 15th Centuries ........88 Proliferation of Portable altars.......93 Altar and the relics exposition ............94 Altar and the Eucharistic Expositions ..........101 Altar and the Vatican II Literaturgical Renewal .........105 3. Theology of the Altar: Analysis of Patristic and later Theological Sources Altar as the presence of Christ ............113 Other symbolisms of the Altar .........138 Towards a Synthesis .........161 4. Theology of the Altar: Analysis of Liturgical Sources General View of Altar in Pre-Vatican II roman Liturgical Sources ......169 A general view on the Altar in Eastern Traditions other than the East Syriac Tradition ..........172 Altar in the current liturgical Sources of the Syro-Malabar Church ........182 Theology of the Altar: Analysis of the Liturgical Sources of the Roman Tradition ........208 A Synthesis of the Theology of the Altar in the Litugical Sources ..........235 5. Altar and the Current canon/Liturgical Law Liturgy and Canon Law........242 Construction Material of an Altar ..........250 Architectural settings of the Altar ................253 Size and shape of the Altar .........255 Position of the Altar in the Sanctuary ..............256 Decoration of Altar ..........262 Altar Cross...........267 Altar Candles ............272 Altar Cloths..........278 Dedication of an Altar .........281