ASTER O ASTERISCO (Ὁ ἈΣΤΉΡ, Ὁ ἈΣΤΈΡΙΣΤΟΣ)

ASTER OR ASTERISK (ὁ ἀστήρ, ὁ ἀστέριστος). - It is an instrument consisting of two metal plates bent into a semicircle, crossed and sometimes fixed at the point of intersection by a star-shaped die. In the Byzantine liturgy, it serves to prevent the particles of the bread from touching the veil that covers the disk and is placed upon it during the preparation of the oblata. The asterisk is removed a few moments before the consecration. Copts and Syrian Catholics also use II.
Placido de Meester