An antependium (Latin: "to hang before"; pl: antependia), more commonly known as a hanging, or, when speaking specifically of the hanging for the altar, an altar frontal, is a decorative piece of material that can adorn a Christian altar, lectern, pulpit, or table (as opposed to the vestments worn by the minister or priest). Specifically, an antependium hangs down in front of whatever it covers, and is to be distinguished from the altar linens [1] which are used in the service of the Eucharist, and an altar cloth which covers the top of the altar table (mensa).