ANTIDORON, in Ecclesiastical Writers, a name given by the Greeks to the consecrated bread, out of which the middle part, marked with the cross, wherein the consecration resides, being taken away by the priest, the remainder is distributed after mass to the poor. On the sides of the antidoron are impressed the words Jesus Christus vivit. The word is formed from donum, "a gift," as being given away lucis muneris, or in charity. The antidoron is also called panis praeconificatus. Some suppose the antidoron to be distributed in lieu of the sacrament, to such as were prevented from attending in person at the celebration; and these derive the origin of the word, the eucharist being denominated donum, "gift," by way of eminence.