SaintElias.com -> Divine Services -> The Hierarchical Divine Liturgy

Vesting the Bishop

The Bishop goes to the Kathedra (a raised platform with the episcopal chair) - which has been set up at the Bema (the centre of the Sanctuary).

Then, in the midst of his people, he is vested by the deacons and subdeacons.

The Protodeacon standing on the Ambo, prays aloud the prayers of Vesting, while 2 deacons incense.

There is a wonderful ambivalence in the theology of Vesting. Actually, there are 2 sets of Vesting Prayers: those proclaimed alto voce by the Protodeacon and those said soto voce by the Bishop. These together illustrate the Salvific Dynamic of Passion and Resurrection.

Thus those of the Protodeacon proclaim the Victory of the Resurrected Christ, for the Bishop's vesting is a ritualisation of each Christian's "putting on Christ".

But the prayers said by the Bishop are taken from the Passion Narratives and ritualized that other aspect of our Baptism, that we are baptised into the death of the Christ.

The Bishop is vested with the Stikhar: this is the White Garment given each Christian at Baptism to symbolise that they have "put on Christ" - the white garment of the Saints

(...those who prove victorious will be dressed...in white robes; I shall not blot their names out out of the Book of Life, but acknowledge their names in the presence of my Father and His Angels" {Rev. 3:5};

"...they have washed their robes white again in the Blood of the Lamb, they now stand in front of God's throne and serve Him day and night in His Sanctuary {Rev. 7:14-15}).

As this the basic garment of every Christian, the same garment (though variously decorated) is worn by Neophytes [those newly Baptised] and all ranks of Clergy.

The Bishop however prays: "Herod and his soldiers treated Him contemptuously and mocked Him, and after clothing Him in Resplendent Garb, sent Him back to Pilate." (Luke 23:11)

The Bishop is vested with the Epitrakhil: a piece of cloth that hangs down from his neck to his feet, sewn together in front, symbolizing God's grace poured out to ordain him to the Priesthood.

The Bishop is vested with the Poyas (Belt) representing the Strength of God and Protection from on High (Psalm 17:32-33).

"Pass the Belt around their waists and put the mitres on their head. And by Irrevocable ordinance the priesthood will be theirs. This is how you are to invest Aaron and his sons" (Exodus 29:8-9)

The Protodeacon proclaims: Blessed be God who girds you with strength and makes your way blameless..."

While the Bishop prays: "...They bound Him, lead Him away, and handed him over to Pilate the governor." (Matt. 27:1-2)

The Bishop is vested with the Cuffs, ritualizing the Hands of God in creation and in fashioning humanity and redeeming it - giving it wisdom to fulfill the commandments. (Exodus 15:6-7; Psalm 117:15-17, Psalm 118:73).

While Protodeacon proclaims: "Your right hand, O Lord, was made glorious in power...", these same Cuffs are also reminiscent of the Shackles with which the Lord was bound and scourged.

The Bishop is vested with the Epigonation: a square cloth hung on his right side, symbolizing God's sword of Justice, which authority is bestowed upon the Bishop to go forth and, guided by God's own Hand, uphold the cause of Truth, Humility and Justice.

The Bishop is vested with the Sakkos: a wide sleeved garment fastened by bells.

The garment takes it theological origins from the garments of the Priests of Israel, specifically the "Ephod" (Exodus 28:31-35).

The Protodeacon prays: "Your High Priests, O Lord, shall be clothed with justice, and Your saints shall exult with joy...(Psalm 131/132:9)

And the Bishop prays: "...the soldiers of the governor took Jesus...they stripped off his clothes and threw a scarlet military cloak about Him, weaving a crown of thorns, they place it on His Head and a reed in His Hand..."

It likewise is reminiscent of the seamless garment of Christ, whose priesthood the bishop is a Successor of the Apostles (Matt. 27:27-29).

The Bishop is vested with the Omophor: a wide cloth that is draped over the shoulders and hangs down both front and back, (it is symbolic of the Christ the Good Shepherd who goes in search of the lost sheep and carries it back gently on his shoulders {Matt. 18:12-14})

The Protodeacon prays:

"This is the image of the Son of God, who would leave the ninety and nine sheep in the hills and go in search of the one who had strayed, and find it, and lay it on his shoulders and bring it to the heavenly Father, and to his will, now and ever, and for ages of ages...

The Eparch is vested with the Panaghia:

The "Panaghia" is an icon of the Christ with his Mother the Theotokos, worn in a medallion around his neck.

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up." (Deuteronomy 11:18-19).

The Protodeacon prays: "May God create a pure heart in you, may He put a steadfast spirit within you, now and ever..." (Psalm 50/51:12)

The Bishop is vested with the Mitra.: a crown reminiscent both of the Diadem-Mitres of Aaronic High Priests and the Crowns of Victory and Life bestowed upon all the Faithful in the Kingdom.

(Rev. 4:4 ...Priests sitting, dressed in White Robes with Crowns of Gold on their heads.

Rev. 2:10 ..Keep faithful and I will give you a Crown of Life for your prize.)

The Protodeacon prays: "O God, You have crowned him with glory and honour..." (Psalm 8:6; Ps. 20/21:6,5)

Meanwhile the Bishop prays:
"O Lord, place the helmet of Salvation upon my head,

that by Your help, I may be delivered from the snares of the old and ancient enemy. (Ephesians 6:17)

While the Bishop is being vested by his Church,

the Priests, having received a blessing from the Bishop, go to the Vestry and vest.

When they have vested, return to the Bema to stand with the Bishop - ranging themselves in 2 rows according to rank, standing on either side of the Eparch.

However the junior most priest remains in the Altar and, going to the Prothesis, performs the first half of the Proskomidia (preparing the Bread and Wine for the Liturgy).

He leaving the commemorations of the living and dead and blessing of the Gifts to the Bishop to be done at the Great Entrance.

Ukrainian version
Українська версія

CONTACT

Fr. Roman Galadza
(905) 459-8888
infosaintelias@gmail.com