A container, vessel, or shrine used in Christian churches to hold bread, particularly the Eucharistic bread.
From Greek 'artos' (bread) + 'pherein' (to bear/carry) + '-ion' (diminutive suffix). The term refers to sacred vessels designed to store and display consecrated bread.
Medieval artophorions were often ornately decorated—some looking more like miniature palaces than bread containers—because Christians believed they held something sacred enough to deserve architectural magnificence.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.