Lectionary Calendar
Friday, April 26th, 2024
the Fourth Week after Easter
the Fourth Week after Easter
Attention!
StudyLight.org has pledged to help build churches in Uganda. Help us with that pledge and support pastors in the heart of Africa.
Click here to join the effort!
Click here to join the effort!
Bible Encyclopedias
Altar-Rails
Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature
Search for…
or Resource Toolbox
Additional Links
The part of the church where the communion-table or altar stood in the ancient churches was divided from the rest of the church by rails. Eusebius says the rails were of wood, curiously and artificially wrought in the form of net-work, to make the enclosure inaccessible to the multitude. These the Latins called cancelli, and hence our English word chancel (q.v.). According to Synesils, to lay hold of the rails is equivalent to taking sanctuary or refuge at the altar. Altar-rails are almost uniformly found in Episcopal churches in England.
Copyright Statement
These files are public domain.
These files are public domain.
Bibliography Information
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Altar-Rails'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/a/altar-rails.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
McClintock, John. Strong, James. Entry for 'Altar-Rails'. Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature. https://www.studylight.org/encyclopedias/eng/tce/a/altar-rails.html. Harper & Brothers. New York. 1870.
