Paten
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{{Unreferenced|date=May 2008}}
[[Image:Derrynaflan paten.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Derrynaflan Chalice|Derrynaflan Paten]], part of an 8th or 9th century communion set found in [[County Tipperary]], [[Ireland]]]]
A '''paten''', or '''diskos''', is a small plate, usually made of silver or gold, used to hold [[Eucharist]]ic [[Host (Holy Communion)|host]]s. It is generally used during the service itself, while the [[reserved sacrament|reserved hosts]] are stored in the [[Church tabernacle|Tabernacle]] in a [[ciborium]].
==Western Usage==
[[Image:KelchbarockSchreibmayr.jpg|thumb|left|Traditional gold [[chalice (cup)|chalice]] and paten inscribed with [[Christogram|IHS]].]]
Within the [[Latin-Rite]], the paten is typically either a simple saucer-like plate or a low bowl. The paten is normally quite small, and has a depression in it that allows it to securely sit on top of the [[chalice (cup)|chalice]].
[[Altar servers]] may also use a small paten, usually attached to a short pole, which is placed under the [[Eucharist]] as it is distributed on people's tongues, so if the host might accidentally fall, it would fall into the Paten and not onto the floor.
As per the [[General Instruction of the Roman Missal]], the paten (like the chalice) must be made from a dignified, opaque material. Universally, metallic patens of silver and gold are the norm, though the [[Roman Curia|Vatican]] or the local [[Synod|Bishops' Conferences]] may allow [[Dispensation (Catholic Church)|dispensation]] from this [[obligation]], provided that the materials replacing them are worthy and dignified enough to suit the Liturgy. Though some parishes make use of glass or crystal Patens and Chalices, it is not permissible under the current rules.
==Eastern Christian Usage==
[[Image:Discos pskov.jpg|thumb|Gilded silver diskos (16th century, [[Pskov]]).]]
In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Greek-Catholic]] Churches, the Paten is called a ''[[diskos]]''—also spelled ([[Church Slavonic language|Church Slavonic]]: ''дискос''; [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''δισκάριον'', ''diskarion'') and is elevated by a stand (or "foot") permanently attached underneath. The diskos is usually more ornate than its Latin-Rite counterpart, and must always be made of gold or at least be gold-plated. The diskos may be engraved with an [[Icon]] of [[Jesus]] [[Christ]], the [[Nativity of Christ]], a Cross, or more frequently, an Icon of the [[Theotokos]].
When a diskos is made, it is usually accompanied by a matching [[Asterisk (liturgy)|asterisk]] (small, folding metal stand used to keep the [[Aër]] from disturbing the particles on the Diskos), a [[spoon (liturgy)|spoon]] (for distributing [[Holy Communion]] to the faithful), and a [[spear (liturgy)|spear]] (used to cut the [[Lamb (Liturgy)|Lamb]] during the [[Liturgy of Preparation]]).
The Diskos symbolizes the [[Virgin Mary]], who received Christ into her womb, and gave him birth; and also the [[Holy Sepulchre|Tomb of Christ]] which received his body after the Crucifixion, and from which he Resurrected.
===Divine Liturgy===
During the [[Divine Liturgy]] it is not only the [[Lamb (Liturgy)|Lamb]] (Host) that is placed on the Diskos, but also particles to commemorate the Theotokos, the [[Saints]], the living and the departed. Thus, on the Diskos is represented the entire Church: the [[Church Militant]] and the [[Church Triumphant]], arrayed around Christ. At the [[Great Entrance]] the deacon carries the Diskos, holding the foot of the Diskos at his forehead. He then kneels at the side of the [[Altar|Holy Table]], and the priest takes the Diskos from him and places it on the [[Antimension]]. During the [[Anaphora]], only the Lamb is consecrated. At [[Holy Communion]] the clergy partake of their portions of the Lamb directly from the Diskos, but for the Communion of the faithful, the remainder of the Lamb is cut into small portions and placed in the Chalice, from which the priest distributes Communion using the spoon. After Communion, the Deacon holds the Diskos above the Chalice and recites hymns of the Resurrection. Then he wipes the remaining particles (for the Saints, living and departed) into the Chaliceas he says the words, "Wash away, O Lord, the sins of all those here commemorated, by Thy precious Blood, through the prayers of all Thy saints."
Sometimes, when a bishop serves the Liturgy, a smaller Diskos is prepared for him with a small [[prosphora|prosphoron]] from which he takes particles to commemorate the living and the departed before the [[Great Entrance]].
===Other Uses===
During the [[Consecration#Consecration of a Church|Consecration]] of a Church, a Diskos is used to hold the [[Relics]] of the [[Saints]] which will be sealed in the Holy Table and Antimension by the bishop.
When a priest is [[Ordination|ordained]], a portion of the Lamb will be placed on a small Diskos and given to him, as a sign of the [[Sacrament|Sacred Mysteries]] which are being entrused to his care.
===Blessing and Handling===
In the Russian tradition, there is a special service of blessing used to sanctify a Diskos before its first use at Liturgy. The Diskos may be blessed separately or together in a set with the other Sacred Vessels. The blessing is normally done immediately before beginning of the Liturgy of Preparation, after which the priest carries the Diskos into the Sanctuary and begins the service, using the newly-blessed vessel in that Liturgy.
Up until the first time a Diskos is used in the Divine Liturgy it is considered to be an ordinary vessel, and may be touched by anyone. However, after having been used at Liturgy, a Diskos should not be touched by anyone except a Deacon, Priest or Bishop. A [[Subdeacon]] may touch the Sacred Vessels, but only if they are securely wrapped in cloth.
When not in use, the Chalice, Diskos, and all the Sacred Vessels should remain on the [[Prothesis (altar)|Table of Oblation]] (Prothesis), wrapped in their cloth bags—either sitting on top and covered with a cloth, or stored securely in a cabinet built into the Prothesis.
==Oriental Orthodox Usage==
===Coptic Rite===
In the usage of the [[Coptic Orthodox Church]], the Diskos usually has a flat bottom with no foot. Additionally, the Diskos has a raised edge, forming a relatively high rim. This prevents particles of the offered elements from falling off the Diskos.
==See also==
[[Image:Trésor de Gourdon 02.JPG|thumb|The paten from the [[Treasure of Gourdon]] (6th century)]]
{{Commonscat|Patens}}
*[[Chalice (cup)|Chalice]]
*[[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]
*[[Divine Liturgy]]
*[[Asterisk (liturgy)]]
*[[Spoon (liturgy)]]
*[[Spear (liturgy)]]
[[Category:Eucharistic objects]]
[[Category:Eastern Orthodoxy]]
[[Category:Eastern Catholicism]]
[[Category:Religious objects]]
[[de:Patene]]
[[es:Patena]]
[[fr:Patène]]
[[it:Patena]]
[[nl:Pateen]]
[[pl:Patena]]
[[pt:Patena]]
[[ru:Дискос]]
[[sl:Patena]]
[[sv:Paten]]
[[sk:Paténa]]