Tabernacle

The tabernacle (artophorion, bread-bearer; or kivotion, ark) is the vessel placed on or near the altar in which the reserved eucharistic gifts (the Precious Body of Christ) are kept for the communion of the sick and dying. The reserved Gifts are prepared at the Divine Liturgy on Holy Thursday (and sometimes on other occasions) and kept with great reverence. The tabernacle is present in every Orthodox church, ensuring that communion can be brought to the sick at any hour. In practice, the reserved Gifts are also used to give communion to infants before they can receive at the Liturgy.