Epitrachelion
The epitrachelion (
crosses, one at the back of the neck and three down each side.[1]
The epitrachelion is the only required vestment whenever a priest is conducting an Orthodox service; without it, he is unable to perform the service.
Background
The priest wears the epitrachelion whenever serving as a priest (as opposed to simply attending a service). For some services, e.g. vespers or matins, he wears the epitrachelion by itself. When he is fully vested for the Divine Liturgy, he wears the epitrachelion over the sticharion and under the zone and the phelonion. If a priest is simply attending a service, he wears no vestments, but will put on his epitrachelion (and often his epimanikia) before receiving the Eucharist.[citation needed]
When the bishop is fully vested he wears the epitrachelion over the sticharion and under the zone, the sakkos and the omophorion.[citation needed]
The
Armenian Orthodox urār are worn in a similar fashion.[citation needed
]
References
- ISBN 1-4021-6087-9.
Look up epitrachelion in Wiktionary, the free dictionary.