Orarion

The Orarion (Greek ὀράριον, Slavic Орарь ) is a liturgical garment of deacons and subdeacons Orthodox and United Eastern Churches.

Appearance and use

The Orarion is a narrow stole, about four inches wide and three feet long, made ​​of brocade fabric. Seven crosses are stitched distributed over the entire length, or fitted as applique. Sometimes it is also three times the word " Christmas " embroidered in large letters. It is usually worn over the stitch Arion.

The deacon carries the Orarion over the left shoulder, the front part is draped over his left forearm. This part he takes in his right hand when he leads a litany, or want to draw attention to a special liturgical action. This simple Orarion is the oldest form, as of old icons can be seen.

Deacons can be awarded with a Doppelorarion, which has twice the length. This award is given by the Bishop for long service or special services. The Doppelorarion is also worn over the left shoulder, but like a sash tied once on the right hip over the upper body back to the left shoulder. In the Greek rite all deacons carry the Doppelorarion.

When the deacon prepared for the celebration of the Eucharist, he binds the Orarion around your waist, puts the two parts over the shoulders so that the back is a cross created, and plugged the ends, also crossed below the waist portion.

The subdeacon also carries a Orarion, but is always linked in the above form to the body.

The priests and bishops wear instead of Orarions the epitrachelion

In accordance with the provisions of the Divine Liturgy the Orarion is applied silently without prayer.

Special features in the various rites

In the Greek tradition, acolytes carry the Orarion in the form of the subdeacon, but it is only on the back, a cross, and hangs over the belly down in parallel. It is also possible in the Greek tradition, that acolyte obtained by a special blessing permission to wear a Orarion in this form. In Slavic rite, however acolyte never wear Orarien.

The use in the Armenian rite resembles those in the Byzantine use, but the deacons wear only a simple Orarion which Urar is called.

Eastern Catholics follow the same traditions as the Orthodox counterparts. In the Greek-Catholic practice Doppelorarion is often only folded over the left shoulder, but due to the length. The deacon wears it over a cassock, where the owner at a fair preaching, but is otherwise not actively participate in the celebration. This practice is common in the Ruthenian and Ukrainian rites, which is considered a visible differentiation from the Byzantine tradition in which a Orarion is never worn without audit Arion.

References and sources

• Liturgical Clothing
• Byzantine rite