Aster (or Asterisk)
is an instrument used by the Greeks in the liturgy-resembling a star of precious metal, surmounted by a cross, which is placed on the paten to cover the, host, and support a veil from contact with the eucharist. It recalls the mystic star of the magi, which is commemorated as the priest censes the aster. In modern times the arches are riveted together at the point of intersection, but so loosely as to admit of one arch being turned within the other for convenience of carriage. See Neale, Eastern Church, Introd. p. 350; Daniel, Codex. Liturgicus, 4:336, 390.
The Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological, and Ecclesiastical Literature was edited by John McClintock and James Strong. It contains nearly 50,000 articles pertaining to Biblical and other religious literature, people, creeds, etc. It is a fantastic research tool for broad Christian study.
John McClintock was born October 27, 1814 in Philadelphia to Irish immigrants, John and Martha McClintock. He began as a clerk in his father's store, and then became a bookkeeper in the Methodist Book Concern in New York. Here he converted to Methodism and considered joining the ministry. McClintock entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1832 and graduated with high honors three years later. Subsequently, he was awarded a doctorate of divinity degree from the same institution in 1848.WikipediaRead More