The ancient Greek word referred to the cup-shaped seed vessel of the Egyptian water-lily
nelumbium speciosum and came to describe a drinking cup made from that seed casing, although the only example to have survived is in one of
Horace's odes (2.7.21–22). In medieval Latin, and in English, "Ciborium" more commonly refers to a covered container used in
Roman Catholic,
Anglican,
Lutheran and related churches to store the
consecrated hosts of the
sacrament of
Holy Communion. It resembles the shape of a
chalice but its bowl is more round than conical, and takes its name from its cover, surmounted by a cross or other sacred design. In the
early Catholic Church, Holy Communion was not kept in churches for fear of sacrilege or desecration; the religion was still largely illegal and subject to frequent persecutions. Later, the first ciboria were kept at homes to be handy for the
Last Rites where needed. In churches, a ciborium is usually kept in a
tabernacle or
aumbry. The ciborum may be veiled to indicate the presence of the consecrated hosts, as shown in this article's photo gallery. It is typically made, or at least plated, in a
precious metal. Other containers for the host include the
paten (a small plate) or a basin (for loaves of bread rather than wafers) used at the time of consecration and distribution at the main service of
Holy Eucharist. A
pyx is a small, circular container into which a few consecrated hosts can be placed. Pyxes are typically used to bring communion to the sick or housebound. ==Gallery==