What is "thabilitho"

n. A wooden slab, covered with a cloth, placed on the altar in the Syrian Orthodox Church; it symbolises the Cross

In the Syrian Orthodox Church a thabilitho is a wooden slab placed at the center of the altar and covered with cloth. During Holy Qurbana (the Eucharist) the paten and chalice are placed over it. It is consecrated with chrism by a bishop during the consecration of a church. Each tabalitho has inscribed on it the following: "The Holy Ghost has hallowed this tabalitho by the hands of Mar..." and the year. The Holy Qurbana can be celebrated anywhere on a tabalitho. Without a tabalitho Holy Qurbana cannot be celebrated. The Thabilitho symbolizes the Cross on which Jesus was crucified.