Patena

A patena is a small plate, usually made of gold or silver, used in Christian liturgy. It is specifically designed to hold the consecrated bread, known as the host, during the Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or the Mass. The patena is typically placed on the altar alongside the chalice. Its design can vary, but it is often round and shallow. Historically, patenas have been crafted with intricate designs and precious metals, reflecting the sacredness of the sacrament it serves. The use of a patena is a tradition in many Christian denominations, including Roman Catholicism, Anglicanism, and Lutheranism, among others. The term patena derives from the Latin word patella, meaning "small plate." While often associated with the host, in some traditions, particularly in earlier centuries, the patena could also be a larger dish for distributing communion to the faithful. Modern patenas are typically sized to hold individual hosts.