Apyx orpix (Latin:pyxis, transliteration ofGreek:πυξίς, boxwood receptacle, fromπύξος, box tree) is a small round container used in theCatholic,Old Catholic,Lutheran andAnglican Churches to carry theEucharist, to the sick or those who are otherwise unable to come to a church in order to receiveHoly Communion.[1] The term can also be used inarchaeology and art history to describe small, round lidded boxes designed for any purpose from antiquity or the Middle Ages, such as those used to hold coins for theTrial of the Pyx in England.
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The wordpyx comes from theGreek word πυξίς,pyxis 'box, receptacle'. (The Greek-like plural,pyxides, has given way topyxes in English.) While the word may be applied to any covered carrier, in modern usage the term "pyx" usually denotes a small, flat, clamshell-style container, often about the size of apocket watch and usually made of brass or other metals,[2]traditionally lined with gold.[3]A fabric or leather pouch for carrying a pyx is known as aburse. Typically, this kind of burse can be securely closed and is fixed with cords so that the priest, deacon, orextraordinary minister of Holy Communion can affix it to his or her person during transport to prevent the consecrated host(s) from being accidentally lost.
These objects, and others, such as thelunette (and themonstrance that holds it) that contain a consecrated host, are normally kept within thechurch tabernacle when they are not being carried. The tabernacle may be behind the main altar, at a side altar, or within a special Eucharistic chapel.
In late antiquity, the custom developed in the East of suspending a vessel in the form of adove (Greek:peristerion, Latin:peristerium) over the altar, which was used as a repository for the Blessed Sacrament. This custom is mentioned byGregory of Tours in hisLife ofSaint Basil, and in several ancient French documents. The custom probably came toFrance from the East; it never seems to have existed inItaly.[4] Examples of this practice may still be found in use today; for instance, in theCathedral of the Dormition inMoscow.
In theEastern Orthodox andGreek Catholic Churches, thepyx (Russian:даро́носица,romanized: darónositsa) is the small "church tabernacle" which holds thelamb (host) that is reserved for theLiturgy of the Presanctified Gifts duringGreat Lent. This pyx may be either kept on theHoly Table or on theProthesis (Table of Oblation) on the north side of the sanctuary.
Few descriptions of the pyx are given ... With regard to materials we have more evidence: silver is by far the most common, twenty-nine silver pyxes are listed, of which twenty-two were gilt ... Fifteen pyxes of ivory are recorded, four of brass, four of latten, two of copper, one of wood and one of pewter ... Therefore in the majority of churches the pyx over the altar consisted of a silver-gilt or ivory coffer ....
Gold, silver, ivory or copper gilt lined the inner [pyx] compartment so that only precious material would come into contact with the body of Christ, and, on the outside, enamelling might add a touch of luxury.
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