Communion table cloth with Jerusalem Crosses

Communion tablecloth | Catholic Church

• The altar tablecloth is 250 cm long and 150 cm long. 
• Embroidered on three sides.
• Made of 100% polyester.
• Lace decorated with JHS and Crosses.
• Altar tablecloth is also for sale in 300 cm. by 150 cm. and 200 cm. by 150 cm.
• A matching altar set is available in our online store.

Altar Tablecloth Information 

The altar tablecloth is made with a standard size of 250 cm long and 150 cm wide. It is embroidered and has lace on (three) of its four sides: the two lateral sides of the tablecloth and the front. The lace is made with Crosses interspersed with JHS.

The JHS symbol is a modern adaptation of the Latin IHS, in turn comes from the abbreviation of the name of Jesus in uppercase Greek letters: IHCOUC.

The expression is composed of the Greek letter iota (I: our Latin i, written the same), eta (which is written in uppercase like our H: it is transcribed and pronounced e), and C, which, due to its similarity, is transformed into sigma (ς) (our s).

It is believed that it was Saint Bernardino of Siena who in the 14th century, gave more significant meaning to each letter by turning each one into the initials of a phrase: Iesus (or Jesus today) Hominum Salvator, which most experts agree to translate as Jesus Savior of Men.

Embroideries of the Altar Cloth 

This tablecloth has a type of embroidery of different sizes. The composition is formed by a repetition of the Jerusalem Cross, a central golden Cross accompanied by four smaller golden Crosses between each of the arms.

There are different versions of the Jerusalem Cross. The most schematic design is formed by a Greek Cross surrounded by four other Crosses.

The four crosses have the same shape as the central Cross. They are located in each quadrant, delimited by the arms of the main Cross.

This Catholic symbol formed by five Crosses is the Jerusalem Cross, also known as the Crusader's Cross. The logo was worn by the Crusaders who participated in the First Crusade under the protection of Pope Urban II during the First Crusade. 

After the recovery of the city of Jerusalem, the emblem of the 5 Crosses was adopted as the symbol of the Christian Kingdom of Jerusalem.

Symbolism of the Jerusalem Cross

There are different versions related to the symbolism of the Jerusalem Cross. Most sources agree that the central Cross is a symbol of Christ. 

The four small Crosses, for some scholars, represent the Four Evangelists. Other versions represent the four cardinal points as a reminder of the spread of the Word of God throughout the Orb, starting from Jerusalem. 

Some currents relate the five Crosses to the five wounds suffered by Jesus Christ when he was crucified.

Buy Custom-Measured Altar Cloth 

Catholic churches are temples designed following essential criteria identifying them as temples capable of carrying out Catholic liturgical celebrations. Despite having common elements that unite them, religious buildings have their peculiarities.It could be said that each Catholic Church and parish is unique, the result of its time and environment.

The peculiarities of each building mean that each altar is different, and each one has its characteristics. This diversity results in that sometimes, it is complicated to adapt a standard-size tablecloth to the dimensions of the altar table. 

This situation is familiar. For this reason, tablecloths for altar tables with custom measurements can be purchased. Please contact us if you want to buy a custom-measured tablecloth for your altar table.