Epimanikia

Russian Orthodox priest holding a blessing cross. The Greek epimanikia are visible around his wrists.

Epimanikia (singular epimanikion) are liturgical vestments of the Eastern Orthodox Church and Eastern Catholic Churches. They are cuffs (Russian: porútchi) made of thickened fabric, usually brocade, that lace onto the wrists of a bishop, priest, or deacon. There is usually a cross embroidered or appliquéd to the center.

Bishops and priests attach the epimanikia to the sleeves of the sticharion. Since the deacon wears a more elaborate sticharion as an outer garment, its large winged sleeves are not bound by epimanikia; rather he wears the epimanikia underneath, tied to his endorrason (inner cassock) (Russian: подрясник, podryasnik)

Among most ethnic groups, the epimanikia will be worn by bishops and priests only when they vest fully for the Divine Liturgy. However, among stricter Russian Orthodox clergy a bishop or priest will wear the epimanikia any time he wears the epitrachelion. Deacons always wear the epimanikia whenever they vest.

In the Armenian Orthodox usage, the epimanikia is called baspan. It is like the garments worn in Byzantine tradition.

The Syriac zende are similar to the epimanikia, but extend to cover the entire forearm.

They are roughly analogous to the maniple used in the Western Christianity.

External links

• Richly embroidered Epimanikia Benaki Museum