Phelonion

The phelonion takes the form of a long, cone-shaped vestment with a low collar. The front is combined: the lower part is made of an ornamented silk fabric (against a brown ground, garlands of roses and carnations, between which are individual bouquets of many-petaled flowers), the upper part of light-blue velvet. On the shoulder area at the back is an embroidered depiction of the Resurrection of Christ, surrounded by a symmetrical, dense floral pattern of rose and carnation branches tied with ribbons, stars, and dots (embroidered in chenille thread, with twisted metal thread and spangle, with the addition of metal sequins and foil). The neckline is bound with golden metal braid and brown velvet; along the lower edge is a burgundy velvet trim; the shoulder area and hem are bordered with silver galloon with a floral ornament. The phelonion is lined with dark-blue cotton fabric.

The object belonged to the collection of the Sloboda Ukraine Museum named after H. S. Skovoroda.

Note: the phelonion (Greek phailónion), or riza, is the outer, sleeveless liturgical vestment of a priest in Eastern Christianity. In church symbolism, the phelonion represents the chlamys — the outer royal garment in which Jesus Christ was dressed during his trial before Pilate.

Originally the phelonion was circular, covering the whole body from head to foot with only an opening for the head. In Ukraine, the phelonion took the form of a wide cloak, long at the back and short at the front, with a neck opening.