Explanation of Sacred Robes

Essay rights. Nicholas Kavasila's "Explanation of the Sacred Robes" is a complement to the treatise "Explanation of the Divine Liturgy." In 4 brief chapters, the symbolic meaning of deaconal, priestly and episcopal vestments is explained, linking them to liturgical practice, biblical imagery and the spiritual life of the clergy. The author explains that the priest’s phelonion, which does not have sleeves, indicates his detachment from worldly vanity and complete dependence on the Divine will in service, while the deacon’s sleeves symbolize his readiness for active service. The epitrachelion is interpreted as a symbol of the outpouring grace of the priesthood, sanctifying the whole person, and the duty of the priest to care for the virtues and curb the passions. The bishop's omophorion symbolizes his pastoral care, mercy and paternal care for his flock, like a mother carrying her child. Epigonation (club) is interpreted as a "dagger of the spirit", emphasizing the role of the priest as a spiritual judge and teacher, capable of spiritual punishment and defense of the truth. *The title of the work in Greek is Εἰς τὴν ἱερὰν στολήν. Contents Deacon's vestment and priestly phelonion Epitrachelion Omophorion Gonagion Deacon's vestment and priestly phelonion The deacon's clothing has sleeves, since he is a minister and he needs to have hands well adapted for the job. The [clothing] of the priest, called the phelonion, is sleeveless, which signifies the priest’s unsuitability for human activity and the fact that in everyday life he remains, as it were, outside the flesh and the world, and during [performing] his service, which in everything depends on the divine hand alone and [to which] he himself does not bring any human initiative. The epitrachelion symbolizes the outpouring grace of the priesthood, which rests on the neck of the one who has accepted the yoke of Christ; [epithrachelion] goes down the chest to the feet, softening the heart and sanctifying the whole body. It should be tied with a belt - caring for virtues and punishing bodily lusts and, as it were, melting them, according to the commandment of the divine Paul, commanding Timothy: do not neglect the grace given to you (1 Tim. 4:14). Along with the phelonion, bishops are also entitled to an omophorion placed on their shoulders. It denotes stewardship and mercy to those “under their hand.” Bishops carry it, as if holding their wards, as mothers carry children who are not yet able to walk in their arms and shoulders. A bishop can do the same with those under his care. And since [the priest] is not only a father and teacher, but also a judge who knows how to punish spiritually, something like a sword girds him, the so-called. gonation 1, which is made in the form of knives, and when we hear [the words] “dagger of the spirit” (Eph. 6:17), then what is said [becomes] clear. When the gonation is attached to the belt, they say: “He has girded his sword on his thigh on his own, the Mighty One” (Ps. 44:4), for he who has the mighty God within himself is truly strong. You might be interested in: