Below are descriptions of Orthodox vestments, specifically
what are known as the 'Sacerdotal Vestments', along with an explanation of
their symbolism:
Readers
A
short Tunic (Felon), which barely covers the shoulders, is put upon the
Reader when he is set apart by the Bishop, and (at the present time) is
rarely worn except upon that day. It symbolizes his coming under the yoke of
the Priesthood, and his dedication to the service of God. His usual
vestment is a Dalmatic (Stikhar).
Sub-Deacons and Deacons
The Dalmatic (Stikhar) and the Stole (Orar). The Dalmatic, a long, straight
vestment with wide sleeves, which covers the whole person, is called "the
robe of salvation and the garment of joy. It is symbolical of a pure and
tranquil conscience, a spotless life, and the spiritual joy in the Lord
which flows therefrom, in him who wears it. The Stole is a long, wide band
of material which is sometimes worn over the left-shoulder, sometimes crossed upon the breast and back, in the case of the
Deacon.
The Sub-Deacon wears his Stole always crossed, for convenience in
the fulfillment of his duties. But the Deacon binds his Stole about him in
the form of a cross shortly before the Holy Gifts are consecrated, thus
typifying the wings of the Angels who serve about the Altar, as the Deacons
themselves typify the Cherubim and Seraphim. Sometimes the Angelic song,
"Holy, Holy, Holy," is embroidered upon the Stole. The Stole is bound about
the Sub-Deacon in the form of a cross at his Ordination, as a symbol that,
through the meekness and continence of his members and the purity of his
heart, he is to put upon him the robe of purity. The Deacon wears, also, the
Cuffs (Porutchi), for convenience during the service, and to remind him that
he must not put his trust in his own strength alone, but in the right hand
of the Lord, the Almighty and merciful God, and in His strength and aid.
Priests
The
Priest's stikhak or cassock (Podriznik), has close sleeves. His Stole (Epitrakhil)
consists of a long piece of cloth like the Deacon's, but broader than the
latter, which passes round his neck, is joined in front for its entire
length, and falls low upon his cassock. It typifies the consecrating grace
of the Priesthood. The Priest, like the Deacon, can celebrate no Office
without his Stole. In it, without the Chasuble, he celebrates the less
solemn Offices: Lesser Vespers, ordinary Compline, Lauds (Polunotchnitza),
the Hours (if the Gospel be not appointed to be read in them); also various
Prayer-services in private dwellings, such as that at the birth of a child,
and the like.
The
Zone (Poyas) is a sort of belt wherewith the Priest girds himself above his
cassock and stole, for convenience in serving the Altar. It is symbolical of
the gift of strength, wherewith God aids him in his service, and exhorts
him to blamelessness of life. His Cuffs (Porutchi) typify the bonds
wherewith the hands of our Lord were bound. The Epigonation (Nabedrennik) is
an oblong piece of brocade, which is suspended upon the hip of a priest, and
signifies the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. It is also
explained as being symbolical of the towel wherewith the Saviour girded
himself to wash the disciples' feet.
The
Palitza is identical with the Epigonation, except that it is suspended by
one corner instead of by two corners. It is always worn on the right hip.
The Epigonation is worn on the right hip; but if the Priest have also a
Palitza, the Epigonation is worn on the left hip. Both the Epigonation and
the Palitza are typical of profound zeal for the faith, and for the
salvation of Christ's flock, and are conferred as rewards of honor. The
distinguishing vestment of the Priest is the Chasuble (Felon), a long, ample
garment without sleeves, short in front and with an opening for the head,
which is put on over the other vestments. Archpriests and Priests also
receive, as tokens of distinguished service, the pointed and the upright
Biretta - the sknfya and the kamilavka.
Bishops
A
Bishop wears all the vestments of a Priest, save the Chasuble and Epigonation, his biretta being perpendicular, black, and draped with the
monastic veil or cowl. In place of the Chasuble a Bishop wears a Dalmatic,
which closely resembles the wide-sleeved Dalmatic of the Deacon. This
Dalmatic (Sakkos) is symbolical of Christ's coat without a seam, woven from
top to bottom. The Bishop's Stole (Omofor-Pall) is very broad, and hangs
clown in front and behind over his other vestments. His Pall typifies the
wandering sheep, and the Prelate, when arrayed in this vestment, bears the
image of the Savior Christ, who, as the Good Shepherd, took upon his
shoulders the wandering sheep and bare it to those who wander not; that is,
to the Angels, in his Father's house.
The Miter is typical of a diadem or
crown, and serves as an emblem of the power bestowed upon a minister of the
Church. (The Mitre is conferred also upon Archimandrites, or Abbots, and
upon certain Archpriests.) The Panagia, which is worn on his breast by a
Bishop, is generally a small, circular Holy Image, or Ikona, of our Savior
and the Birth-Giver of God. The Panagia (or "all-holy") reminds the Bishop
that he must always bear in his heart our Lord and his holy Mother, the
Intercessor with God; and, to that end his heart must be pure, and his
spirit upright. The Bishop's Mantle (Mdntiya) is a monastic vestment, which
covers the whole person with the exception of the head. Its freely flowing
lines typify the wings of the Angels; hence it is called "the Angelic
vestment." The folds of the Mantle are symbolical of the all-embracing power
of God;and also of the strictness, piety and meekness of the monastic life;
and that the hands and other members of a monk do not live, and are not
fitted for worldly activity, but are all dead. All monks, when present at
divine service, must be robed in their mantles.
The
peculiarity of a Bishop's mantle is that it is not black in hue, like the
monastic mantle, but of purple, or some other colour; and upon it are sewn
the so-called "Tables of the Law" (Skrizhali), and, in particular, the
"Fountains " (Istotchniki). The Tables (squares of velvet at neck and foot)
typify the Old and the New Testament, whence the ministers of God should
draw their doctrine. The "Fountains" are ribbons, usually red and white in
hue, sewn horizontally round the Mantle, and represent the streams of
teaching which flow from the mouth of the Bishop. Small bells are attached
to the Mantle of a Bishop, and to his Dalmatic, as to the upper robe of the
High Priest of the Jews. The Crozier, or Pastoral Staff (Posokli), is given
to Bishops and to Archimandrites, in token of their spiritual authority
over the monasteries or cities which they rule; and as a sign that it
behooves them to feed the flock of Christ. The Eagle (Orlet) is a small
circular rug, with the representation of a one-headed eagle soaring over a
battlemented city. A Bishop stands on this rug during divine service, and to
him alone is its use accorded. He is led upon a large "Eagle" at his
Consecration, as the Office of Consecration sets forth. The view of the city
betokens the Prelate's rule over the city; the Eagle denotes the loftiness
and purity of his teaching. Thus the Eagle-rug spread for a Bishop to stand
upon signifies that he, by his life Crozier and doctrine, must resemble the
eagle, which soars above all lower things, and aspires unto heaven.
From:
Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church - Antiochian
Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, Englewood, NJ, 1983
