Epitrakhelion

Made of yellow silk fabric. It takes the form of a long, narrow panel worn around the neck.

The entire field of the epitrachelion is decorated with a stylized floral ornament in the form of a lush, four-tiered "Tree of Life" with flowers, leaves, and cording (the embroidery worked in gold and silver metal thread with the addition of colored silk). Three pairs of straight four-armed crosses are introduced into the "tree" composition on either side; on the back of the neck portion is a four-armed cross worked in galloon.

On the reverse, the epitrachelion is lined with brown calico.

The epitrachelion entered the museum's holdings in 1956.

Note: the epitrachelion (Greek epitrachēlion — "that which is around the neck") is part of the liturgical vestments of an Orthodox priest and bishop — a long band that encircles the neck and falls at both ends onto the chest. It may be slit and buttoned, or continuous. The epitrachelion is worn over the sticharion (in full vestments) or over the cassock (in reduced vestments). It symbolizes the grace-filled gifts of the priest as a celebrant of the sacraments. The crosses symbolize that the priest may perform the church sacraments, and the cross on the neck portion signifies that the priest has received the Sacrament, the Gift of the Priesthood, from a bishop, and is subject to him in all things. It also signifies the yoke of service to Christ, who by his sacrifice on the cross redeemed humankind from the power of sin and death.

A bishop wears the epitrachelion as a sign of retaining the priestly grace-filled gifts. Without the epitrachelion, a priest or bishop cannot conduct any service.