Epimanikia

Epimanikien (singular Epimanikion ) are liturgical garments and United Orthodox Eastern Churches.

Appearance

Epimanikien are cuffs, which are supported by the Eastern Church bishops, priests and deacons on the wrist. They are usually made of thick fabric, especially from brocade fabric. In the middle of a cross is embroidered or applied by means of application.

Use

Bishops and priests secure the Epimanikien on the sleeves of the engraving of Arion. Since deacons wear a more elaborate engraving Arion as an extreme garment whose wide sleeves are not bound with Epimanikien. The deacon wears the Epimanikien below the engraving of Arion, mounted on the sleeves of the inner cassock

In most rites bishops and priests wear the Epimanikien only when they are fully clothed for the Sacred Liturgy. In some strict Russian Orthodox rites bishops and priests always wear when they also carry the epitrachelion. Deacons wear the other hand, always with liturgical clothing.

The Syriac Orthodox collapsing are similar to Epimanikien, but cover the entire forearm.

In the Western churches, the maniple is the closest to the Epimanikien.

When you create the right Epimanikions the priest speaks the prayer "It is glorified thy right hand, O Lord, in force. Your rights, Mr. crashing, down the enemies. With the abundance of thy glory thou hast crushed the adversaries. " (Right Epimanikion ) and" Your hands have made ​​me and formed. Teach me that I may learn thy commandments. " (Left Epimanikion ).

Sources and References

• Episcopal Insignia
• Liturgical Clothing
• Byzantine rite