What is the significance of the steps leading to the altar in most (large) churches?
In early Christianity altars were not constructed in steps. Those in the catacombs were constructed on the pavement. In churches they came to be constructed over the tombs of martyrs. This was probably from a reference to the text in Revelation (or the Apocalypse) regarding the Fifth Seal, thus making it a self fulfilling prophecy in relation to the Church. In the fourth century the altar was supported by one step above the floor of the sanctuary. The number of steps is now, for symbolic reasons, always uneven and is either three or five or seven steps including the upper platform or predella which pass round the altar on three sides. The steps may be of wood stone or bricks but Charles (Instructions on Ecclesiastical buildings XI, section 2) would have the two or four lower steps of stone or bricks while he prescribed that the predella on which the celebrant stands be of wood. The steps should be about one foot in breadth. The Predella should extend along the front of the altar and be
