I can't offer any facts about this piece, which stands at the center of the raised area behind the low railing in the New Church of St. Mary of Zion.

For example, I'd love to know whether it was commissioned for the New Church of St. Mary of Zion, or whether it came from another, earlier church. Perhaps it was a gift from another nation's Orthodox Church. I suppose it would be out of the question to suppose it was a gift from the Vatican, but who knows? I would also like to know where and by whom it was made.

Originally, I referred to this piece as an "altar" in my description, but I called upon more informed viewers to explain its function and what the members of the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church call it. I sensed I might have misidentified it and, sure enough, I had.

Flicrite smgebru came through. In his comment, which appears below, smgebru explained "This is not the alter. The alter is in the Holy of Holies. This is most likely the table where the Holy Eucharist is given to the recipients."

What I can do is express my awe and admiration for the craftsmanship and artistry that came together to produce this stunning piece of ecclesiastical furniture.

The table is a thing of beauty, even in its slightly battered and incomplete state. One wonders what could possibly have caused the damage to the molding at the top, and how one of the legs came to be missing.

Even I can tell the relief on the front of the table depicts the Last Supper.