by James Lynne

Created on: September 02, 2008

The use of an "altar" as a place for offering sacrifice to deity is a unifying thread consistent to all historical religious practice. "Alta ara," from the Latin signifying a "high platform" or "high place" is the origin of the word "altar." It signifies a place of offering or a place for sacrifice as an offering, even among pre-Christian cultures. Upon the altar or within the altar, mankind, presents his best to his deity. It conveys the most sacred of meanings in virtually all religious contexts.

Altar can imply an "area" such as a room or designated space for offerings or sacrifices or it can imply a "prominent" place or space as well. In some religions it is a specific spot, such as a table top. In others it is a room. However any given religion chooses to clarify its meaning, it is accepted that the historical process of making sacrifices and presenting gifts to deity took place in or on the altar in virtually all religious practices since the dawn of time. Both Christian and non-Christian religious practices include the concept of offerings or sacrifices made at an altar.

There is some evidence regarding the specific use of altars in pre-Christian religious practice. Often pre-Christian religious offerings were human sacrifices to appease pagan gods and did not always occur on an altar. However pre-Christian writings and art indicate the presence of altar stones in some cultures. Phoenician records discovered in Britain, Ireland, and Gaul translated in the works of Betham include references to altar stones. In addition, Betham discusses parallels between Celtic and Hebrew Canaanite worship that includes autumnal sacrifices to Baal, "the friend of man."

Time has taken its toll on ancient altars and few archeological remnants remain. The oldest Christian altar is considered to be the fifth-century altar near Marseilles which contains a monogram of Christ and twelve doves. It is a stone table resting on a pedestal. Similar altars attributed to the ninth-century can be found as well. Elaborate carving and symbolic reliefs mark the existing historical altars. The earliest Christian altars were made of wood and were identical to the ordinary house table. Few wooden altars remain as historical evidence of their use. They were replaced by stone altars because of the durability of stone when attacked by hostile invaders. The earliest stone altars were actually the tombs of Christian martyrs interred within the Catholic catacombs.

The Christian altar is general

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