Vestments

LITURGICAL VESTMENTS

The color of the vestments are tied to the liturgical significance of that service. White or gold are used for Sundays (each Sunday represents the Resurrection), feast days, and holy days. Green, signifying hope, is used for Pentecost. Blue is used for feasts of the Mother of God. Red is used on the feast day of a martyr and also on feasts commemorating the cross. Purple is used during the week days of the Great Lent and fasting periods. Black or purple for a funeral service or Liturgy for the dead.

The vestments worn in the Byzantine Rite vary in appearance for each degree of office.

DEACONAL VESTMENTSThe deacons' vestments consist of the sticharion (alb), epimanika (cuffs), and an orar (stole).

The sticharion [1] is a long, full sleeved tunic that reaches the ankles. Since no other vestment is worn over the deacon's sticharion, it is usually made of the same vestment material as the priest's phelonion. The garment is symbolic of a pure and tranquil conscience, a spotless life, and the spiritual joy in the Lord in him who wears it.

The epimanika [2] are cuffs worn by the deacon and higher ranks of clergy. The deacon wears them under the sticharion. They represent strength, patience and good will and are symbolic of the of bonds where the hands of our Lord were bound.

The orarion [3] is a long brochaded stole. It usually has the words "Holy, Holy, Holy" embroided upon it. The orarion is usually worn under the right arm, and after crossing the top of the left shoulder passes in front and in back in equal lengths. The orarion is worn differerntly before the Holy Gifts are consecrated. It is bound in the form of a cross under both arms typifying the wings of angels.

PRIESTLY VESTMENTS The priestly vestments consist of the sticharion (alb), epitrachelion (stole), zone (cincture), epimanika (cuffs), phelonion (or chasuble) and some episcopal vestments that certain priests are allowed to wear as a sign of honor.

The sticharion [1] is a long, full sleeved tunic that reaches the ankles and it symbolizes purity.

The epitrachelion [2] is a long narrow band of vestment material that fits around the priest's neck at the center, is joined at the neck by hooks and hangs down in front to the priest's knees. It symbolic of priestly dignity and power and must be worn by the priest at all liturgical services.

The zone [3] is a belt used to hold up the stichirion that represents wisdom and strength.

The epimanika [4] are cuffs made of vestment material that are worn over the sleeves of the sticharion. They represent strength, patience and good will and are symbolic of the of bonds where the hands of our Lord were bound.

The phelonion [5] is a cape like outer vestment, long in back and short in front with an opening for the head to pass through. It symbolizes strength, patience and good will.

The nabedrenyk [6] (or epigonattion) is a diamond shaped piece of stiff brocade adorned with a cross and attached to the zone on the right side. It is a "spiritual sword" and is symbolic of the word of God which is called "spiritual armor". The nabedrenyk, mitre, and pectoral crosses are typically episcopal vestments that are worn by some priests as a sign of special dignity.

EPISCOPAL VESTMENTS The episcopal vestments consist of the sakkos, omophorion (bishop's stole), pectoral cross, engolpia (medalions), the mitre (or crown), the dikerion and trikerion, and the nabedrenyk. The bishop also wears epimanika (cuffs) over the sticharion and under the sakkos.

The sakkos[1] is a sacklike chasibule and is symbolic of Christ's coat without a seam. It is worn over the sticharion.

The omophorion [2] is the bishop's stole. It is very broad and hangs down in front and behind the saccos. It signifies the bishop's authority and is worn by all Eastern bishops. It is worn in an abbreviated form (the pallium) by Roman Rite Metropolitans.

The pectoral cross [3] is worn over the omophorion. It may also be worn by priests as a sign of special honor.

The engolpia [4] (medalions) are worn over the breast of a bishop. These medalions have small icons of our Lord and the Theotokos (the Mother of God).

The mitre [5] (crown) serves as an emblem of power bestowed upon a minister of the Church. The crown is embroidered, bears small icons upon it, and is surmounted by a cross. At times, certain priests are allowed to wear the mitre as a sign of a special dignity conferred upon them.

The dikerion and trikerion [6] are double and triple branched candlesticks that represent the dual nature of Christ (human and divine) and the Blessed Trinity . The dikerion and trikerion are used by the bishop to give solemn blessings.

The nabedrenyk [7] is a diamond shaped piece of stiff brocade adorned with a cross and attached to the zone on the right side. It is a "spiritual sword" and is symbolic of the word of God which is called "spiritual armor". The nabedrenyk, mitre, and pectoral crosses are typically episcopal vestments that are worn by some priests as a sign of special dignity.

EPISCOPAL CLERICAL DRESSIn addition to Liturgical vestments, Eastern Bishops usualy wear several distinctive garments. These are the Madyas, the episcopal staff, the pectoral cross, the engolpia, and the kamelavkion.

The madyas [1] or mantle, is a cape used by the bishop for processions. It is usually adorned with icons and symbols.

The the episcopal staff [2] is symbolic of the authority of a bishop over the eparchy that he rules. It is a long staff terminated by two serpents looking toward an orb surmounted by a cross. It is reminiscent of the brass serpent erected by Moses to heal the Israelites. It is symbolic of prudence and discretion - ... be as cunning as serpents and as gentle as doves

The pectoral cross [3]

The engolpia [4] (medalions) are worn over the breast of a bishop. These medalions have small icons of our Lord and the Theotokos (the Mother of God).

The kamelavkion [5] is a cylindrical hat covered by a monastic veil.

**DEACONAL VESTMENTS**The deacons' vestments consist of the sticharion (alb), epimanika (cuffs), and an orar (stole).
	The sticharion [1] is a long, full sleeved tunic that reaches the ankles. Since no other vestment is worn over the deacon's sticharion, it is usually made of the same vestment material as the priest's phelonion. The garment is symbolic of a pure and tranquil conscience, a spotless life, and the spiritual joy in the Lord in him who wears it. The epimanika [2] are cuffs worn by the deacon and higher ranks of clergy. The deacon wears them under the sticharion. They represent strength, patience and good will and are symbolic of the of bonds where the hands of our Lord were bound. The orarion [3] is a long brochaded stole. It usually has the words "Holy, Holy, Holy" embroided upon it. The orarion is usually worn under the right arm, and after crossing the top of the left shoulder passes in front and in back in equal lengths. The orarion is worn differerntly before the Holy Gifts are consecrated. It is bound in the form of a cross under both arms typifying the wings of angels.

**PRIESTLY VESTMENTS** The priestly vestments consist of the sticharion (alb), epitrachelion (stole), zone (cincture), epimanika (cuffs), phelonion (or chasuble) and some episcopal vestments that certain priests are allowed to wear as a sign of honor.
	The sticharion [1] is a long, full sleeved tunic that reaches the ankles and it symbolizes purity. The epitrachelion [2] is a long narrow band of vestment material that fits around the priest's neck at the center, is joined at the neck by hooks and hangs down in front to the priest's knees. It symbolic of priestly dignity and power and must be worn by the priest at all liturgical services. The zone [3] is a belt used to hold up the stichirion that represents wisdom and strength. The epimanika [4] are cuffs made of vestment material that are worn over the sleeves of the sticharion. They represent strength, patience and good will and are symbolic of the of bonds where the hands of our Lord were bound. The phelonion [5] is a cape like outer vestment, long in back and short in front with an opening for the head to pass through. It symbolizes strength, patience and good will. The nabedrenyk [6] (or epigonattion) is a diamond shaped piece of stiff brocade adorned with a cross and attached to the zone on the right side. It is a "spiritual sword" and is symbolic of the word of God which is called "spiritual armor". The nabedrenyk, mitre, and pectoral crosses are typically episcopal vestments that are worn by some priests as a sign of special dignity.

**EPISCOPAL VESTMENTS** The episcopal vestments consist of the sakkos, omophorion (bishop's stole), pectoral cross, engolpia (medalions), the mitre (or crown), the dikerion and trikerion, and the nabedrenyk. The bishop also wears epimanika (cuffs) over the sticharion and under the sakkos.
	The sakkos[1] is a sacklike chasibule and is symbolic of Christ's coat without a seam. It is worn over the sticharion. The omophorion [2] is the bishop's stole. It is very broad and hangs down in front and behind the saccos. It signifies the bishop's authority and is worn by all Eastern bishops. It is worn in an abbreviated form (the pallium) by Roman Rite Metropolitans. The pectoral cross [3] is worn over the omophorion. It may also be worn by priests as a sign of special honor. The engolpia [4] (medalions) are worn over the breast of a bishop. These medalions have small icons of our Lord and the Theotokos (the Mother of God). The mitre [5] (crown) serves as an emblem of power bestowed upon a minister of the Church. The crown is embroidered, bears small icons upon it, and is surmounted by a cross. At times, certain priests are allowed to wear the mitre as a sign of a special dignity conferred upon them. The dikerion and trikerion [6] are double and triple branched candlesticks that represent the dual nature of Christ (human and divine) and the Blessed Trinity . The dikerion and trikerion are used by the bishop to give solemn blessings. The nabedrenyk [7] is a diamond shaped piece of stiff brocade adorned with a cross and attached to the zone on the right side. It is a "spiritual sword" and is symbolic of the word of God which is called "spiritual armor". The nabedrenyk, mitre, and pectoral crosses are typically episcopal vestments that are worn by some priests as a sign of special dignity.

**EPISCOPAL CLERICAL DRESS**In addition to Liturgical vestments, Eastern Bishops usualy wear several distinctive garments. These are the Madyas, the episcopal staff, the pectoral cross, the engolpia, and the kamelavkion.
	The madyas [1] or mantle, is a cape used by the bishop for processions. It is usually adorned with icons and symbols. The the episcopal staff [2] is symbolic of the authority of a bishop over the eparchy that he rules. It is a long staff terminated by two serpents looking toward an orb surmounted by a cross. It is reminiscent of the brass serpent erected by Moses to heal the Israelites. It is symbolic of prudence and discretion - ... be as cunning as serpents and as gentle as doves The pectoral cross [3] The engolpia [4] (medalions) are worn over the breast of a bishop. These medalions have small icons of our Lord and the Theotokos (the Mother of God). The kamelavkion [5] is a cylindrical hat covered by a monastic veil.

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