Epimanics

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Epimanikien (Singular Epimanikion ) are liturgical garments of Orthodox and Uniate Eastern Churches.

Appearance

Epimanicias are arm warmers that are worn on the wrist by bishops , priests and deacons of the Eastern Church . They are usually made of thick fabric, especially brocade fabric. In the middle a cross is embroidered or applied by means of an application .

use

Bishops and priests fasten the epimanics on the sleeves of the Sticharion . Since deacons wear a more elaborate sticharion as an outermost garment, its wide sleeves are not tied with epimanics. The deacon wears the epimanics below the sticharion, attached to the sleeves of the inner cassock

In most rites, bishops and priests wear the epimanics only when they are fully clothed for the sacred liturgy . In some strict Russian Orthodox rites, the bishops and priests always wear when they wear the epitrachelion . Deacons, however, always wear them in liturgical clothing.

The Syrian Orthodox collapsing similar to epimanikia, but cover the entire forearm.

In the Western churches, the maniples correspond most closely to the epimanics.

When putting on the right epimanicion, the clergyman says the prayer “Your rights, Lord, were glorified in force. Your right hand, Lord, crush the enemy. With the fullness of your glory you have crushed the adversaries. ” (Right epimanicion) and “ Your hands created and formed me. Teach me that I will learn your commandments. ” (Left epimanicion).

meaning

According to the interpretation of the orthodox theologian Alexander Schmemann , the epimanics symbolize the oneness of the priests with Christ. Schmemann explains: "The hands of the priest, with which he blesses and celebrates worship, are no longer his, but the hands of Christ."

Sources and individual references

  1. Priest with Epimanikion
  2. Syrian Orthodox Zende
  3. The Holy Liturgy  ( page no longer available , search in web archivesInfo: The link was automatically marked as defective. Please check the link according to the instructions and then remove this notice. (PDF file)@1@ 2Template: Dead Link / home.arcor.de  
  4. Alexander Schmemann, Eucharist. Sacrament of the Kingdom of God , 2nd edition, Freiburg, p. 47.