Stick with rubies of the middle of the XVIII century

Among the liturgical robes from the collection of the Chernihiv Historical Museum named after VV. Tarnowski's exquisitely embroidered and decorated with precious stones stick of the middle of the XVIII century. (Інв. No. I-1971).

Stick or epigony (from the Greek επί - on and γόνυ knee - ie kneecap) Is an element of bishop's attire, which is a diamond-shaped board. It is hung at the waist at one end on a long ribbon, which is thrown on the shoulder, resembling a sharp sword.

The diamond-shaped form of this garment is a symbol of the four Gospels. The very word of God, Scripture is the spiritual sword of the clergy, with this weapon they must arm themselves against all that is sinful and vicious.

Orthodox Greek writer of the XIV century., theologian and liturgist righteous Nicholas Kavasila explains the importance of epigony based on the understanding of the priest as a spiritual judge. He says: "Because a priest is not only a father and a teacher, but also a judge, who knows how to punish spiritually, something like a sword girded him, the so-called epigony ".

The staff is an element of the bishop's liturgical attire, but it can also be worn by priests, awarding the bishop such a right. Святитель Симеон Солунський (XV century) already mentions the practice of rewarding elders with this vestment in his time: "Some of the oldest presbyters and some of the archimandrites have a stick - this is a gift to the bishop, because no one, except the bishop, it is not customary to have a stick ". It has to do with that, that some of the oldest priests were appointed to responsible church services, as the abbots of monasteries, if they were monks or clergy, and received the right of spiritual judgment and guidance, therefore they bore the insignia of the first shepherd.

This practice of giving a stick to priests as a liturgical award was later adopted by the Kyiv metropolitans.. First of all, they awarded the archimandrites of the Kiev-Pechersk Monastery with a stick. Later in the sixteenth century. the abbots and other especially important monasteries began to be awarded with epigony.

The composition "Coronation of the Mother of God" is embroidered on a stick from the museum collection. In a medallion from a vegetative ornament it is composed 4 half-figures of saints: above are the righteous Joachim and Anna, below - Saints Boris and Gleb. Iconographic images are embroidered on the four corners of the stick (man, lion, Taurus, Eagle), interpreted as symbols of the apostles-evangelists.

Quilting is made of gold and silver threads, small pearls and corals. All faces are picturesque, halos are lined with river pearls. There are on the stick 26 uncut rubies, some gemstone frames are decorated with delicate enamel. The edges of the liturgical robe are decorated with a brocade fringe.

The sophistication of sewing and stick decor is thought-provoking, that it could belong to one of the Chernihiv archbishops of the XVIII century. Images of Saints Boris and Gleb, in honor of which the city's cathedral was named also indirectly confirms this version.

Researcher of the museum,
Candidate of Theology Miroslav May-Boroda