images of saints and a crucifix
No. The altar is bare and Jesus is not present. If cloths were over crucifix, they should remain and be removed for the easter Vigil. However, if venerating a crucifix, it is OK to gradually uncover it for the veneration
The same as the use of a Catholic altar.. it is the most important furniture peice in the church. It represents God's prescence with a cross or crucifix. Holy Communion is performed by the altar, as well as other religious ceremonies.
Roman Catholic AnswerA crucifix (not a cross, a cross with a corpus on it) is required by the rubrics (the rules for saying Mass) for the celebration of Mass. It may be on or near the altar. Normally it faces the celebrant (the priest celebrating the Mass).
A niche is a recess in a wall which often contains a statue. A church could certainly have a niche that holds a crucifix. A niche need not be in a church.An apse is a large recess at one end of a church. If often contains an altar or statuary and is its walls are covered by paintings or carvings or other artwork. A large crucifix is a possible central figure for an apse. An apse is a term for a part of a church but it need not hold a crucifix.
Catholics venerate the Cross every time that they pass in front of it, but there is a special veneration during the Good Friday liturgy in which every one comes forward and kisses the Cross.
The current rubrics in place in 2013 according to the latest General Instruction on the Roman Missal do not allow anything ON the altar, flowers, candles, etc. are to be placed near the altar not on it. The only thing that should be on the altar at the start of Mass is the altar cloth.
The name Araceli is of Spanish origin and means "altar of the sky" or "heavenly altar." It is derived from the Latin word "ara" meaning altar and "coeli" meaning of the sky or heaven.
A crucifix is a representation of Jesus on the cross. The crucifix is used mainly in the Roman Catholic church.
In latin, the name's origin, Camila means: "helper of the priest/servant to the altar"
If this question asks the word origin (rather than the origin of the objects):Merriam-Webster suggests:;: "Middle English alter, from Old English altar,from Latin altare; probably akin to Latin adolēre to burn up"
No. Altars existed as early as Sumeria (4000-5000 years before Greece).