Altar of Repose
An altar other than the main altar of the parish upon which the consecrated bread and wine from the Maundy Thursday eucharist are reserved for communion on Good Friday. The altar of repose may be in a chapel or a room away from the church. It is usually decorated with candles and flowers. Members of the congregation may participate in a watch or vigil at the altar of repose from the conclusion of the Maundy Thursday service until the beginning of the Good Friday service.
Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from “An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians,” Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.