paten

A paten is a shallow dish, usually circular with a raised rim, used in Christian liturgy to hold the Eucharistic bread (hosts) during the celebration of the Eucharist. It is typically paired with a chalice and rests on the altar as the bread is prepared for consecration and distribution. In many traditions, the bread placed on the paten becomes the Body of Christ through sacramental action.

Patenes are commonly made of precious metals such as silver or gold, though historical and regional examples have used pewter, brass, or other metals. They may be plain or elaborately decorated with crosses, engravings, or religious motifs. Some patens are footed or supported on small stands, while others lie flat on a resting surface.

In use, the paten supports the hosts through the liturgy, from preparation to consecration and distribution to communicants. After Communion, any crumbs or fragments are treated with reverence and may be reserved or consumed according to local ritual norms. The paten is cleaned and cared for as part of ordinary liturgical housekeeping.

The name paten derives from the Latin patina, meaning broad dish, and related terms appear in various languages. Across Christian traditions, the paten is part of the minor liturgical equipment that accompanies the chalice. In Eastern Orthodoxy, a similar vessel is known as the diskos, which, together with the chalice, forms the core set for the Eucharistic rite.