King Charles III’s coronation: 7 Christian elements to look for Page 5

4. The Last Supper altar dish

During the coronation at Westminster Abbey, a massive altar dish typically serves as the focal point on the High Altar.

Crafted for James, Duke of York, during the reign of his brother Charles II, the dish measures nearly 3 feet in diameter and weighs almost 29 pounds (13 kg). It features the engraved Stuart coat of arms. The Stuart dynasty ended with Queen Anne and was succeeded by the House of Hanover, followed by the Saxe-Coburgs and the House of Windsor, with King Charles being the fifth monarch of the latter.

The primary scene on the altar dish depicts Jesus at the Last Supper, with John the Evangelist resting on his shoulder and the hooded figure of Judas, His betrayer, in the foreground.

The Last Supper serves as the inspiration for Holy Communion, which is an integral component of the coronation service.

Following the oath-taking, anointing and crowning, the sovereign receives Holy Communion at the High Altar from the Archbishop of Canterbury.

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