Ciborium (container) facts for kids

A ciborium (say: sih-BORE-ee-um) is a special container, usually made of metal. It has two main meanings.

First, it can be a large, covered cup used in some Christian churches. This cup holds hosts, which are small pieces of bread. These hosts are used during a special church service called the Eucharist or Holy Communion. The ciborium keeps the hosts safe before and after the service. It is like a special container for the bread, just as a chalice is a special cup for the wine.

Second, a ciborium can also be a large, fancy canopy or roof built over the altar in a church. This type of ciborium was very common in old churches from the early Middle Ages. Today, you don't see them as often.

What is a Ciborium?

A Special Cup for Church

A ciborium is a sacred vessel used in churches like the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches. It looks a bit like a chalice, but its bowl is usually more round. It always has a lid, often with a cross or another holy symbol on top.

This special cup holds the consecrated hosts. These are the pieces of bread that have been blessed during the Eucharist service. Keeping them in a ciborium helps show their importance.

Where are Ciboria Kept?

In churches, a ciborium is usually stored inside a tabernacle. A tabernacle is a special, secure cabinet. Sometimes, the ciborium might be covered with a veil or cloth. This veil helps show that the consecrated hosts are inside. Ciboria are often made of valuable metals or are plated with them.

Other Holy Containers

There are other containers used for the hosts too:

• A paten is a small plate. It holds the bread during the blessing and when it is given out.
• A pyx (say: piks) is a small, round container. It is used to carry a few consecrated hosts. Priests or special ministers use pyxes to bring communion to people who are sick or cannot leave their homes.

History of the Ciborium

Ancient Beginnings

The word "ciborium" comes from an old Greek word. It first described the cup-shaped seed pod of an Egyptian water-lily. People in ancient times made drinking cups from these seed pods. They also made cups that looked like them. These cups were very popular in ancient Egypt and the Greek East.

Later, the word was used in ancient Latin to describe similar drinking cups.

From Drinking Cup to Holy Vessel

Over time, the meaning of "ciborium" changed. In the Middle Ages, it started to mean the covered container used in churches.

In the very early days of the Christian church, people did not keep the consecrated hosts in churches. This was because Christianity was often against the law. People were afraid the hosts might be disrespected or destroyed. Instead, the first ciboria were kept in people's homes. This made it easy to give communion to those who needed it, especially for the Last Rites.

As Christianity became more accepted, churches began to keep ciboria in special places like tabernacles.

Images for kids

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  A silver ciborium from the 18th century. It is in the Baroque style.

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  A ciborium covered by a veil. This shows that consecrated hosts are inside.

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  A collection of ciboria from the 18th to 20th centuries. These are in the Our Lady of Manaoag Museum in the Philippines.

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  More ciboria from the Our Lady of Manaoag Museum in the Philippines.

See also

In Spanish: Copón para niños