 It is also the place where the presiding clergy stand at any service, even where no Eucharist is being celebrated and no offering is made other than prayer.When the priest reads the Gospel during Matins (or All-Night Vigil) on Sunday, he reads it standing in front of the Holy Table, because it represents the Tomb of Christ, and the Gospel lessons for Sunday Matins are always one of the Resurrection appearances of Jesus.On the northern side of the sanctuary stands another, smaller altar, known as the Table of Oblation ("Prothesis" or "Zhértvennik") at which the Liturgy of Preparation takes place.