asterisks (liturgical objects)

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Scope note
Utensil used to protect the Eucharistic bread from disturbance. It is usually made of gilded silver or gold, and in the Roman church is a rare item used to hold the host in place on the paten in outdoor masses, having the shape of two slightly raised crossed bars or crucifix, sometimes within a raised disk; formerly used in the papal liturgy, when it was made of gold and in the shape of a star within a disk, raised slightly and designed to protect the host from being touched by the veils or otherwise disturbed. In the Eastern church, it is still used to protect the sacred bread from being touched by the covering veils: in this context, the asterisk consists of two curved gold or silver bands, significantly raised, and crossing each other at right angles to thus form a double arch and star-shape. The asterisk is usually surmounted by a cross, and often has a tiny star suspended from the central junction.
asterisks
Accepted term: 04-Nov-2024