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eidolon (Gr., "image"): word used by the Byzantines
to specifically connote pagan images as opposed to the word
icon, used for Christian images. The term is also used to describe
the image of the Virgin’s soul, wrapped in swaddling clothes
in the scene of the Dormition.
ekphrasis, ekphrases (Gr., "description"): formal
laudatory description of a city, festival, garden, work of art
or a building, usually written as a tribute to its patron.
enkolpion, enkolpia (Gr., "on the breast"): a reliquary
medallion or pectoral pendent frequently made of semi-precious
stones and precious materials, originally suspended by a chain
around the neck (see cat 146, 147, 303).
entablature: horizontal band of masonry carried upon pillars
or piers.
Epiclesis (Gr., "invocation"): the invocation of the
Holy Spirit during the anaphora to transform the Eucharistic
elements into the Body and Blood of Christ.
epigonation, epigonatia (Gr., "upon the knee"): a
later development of the encheirion, or hand kerchief that hung
from the belt of Byzantine Nobles, it is an honorific rhomboid
piece of fabric, backed by stiffer material to make it rigid,
worn suspended from the zonē, or girdle by priests or bishops.
When the bearer puts on this garment he prays: "Gird thy
sword upon thy thigh, O Mighty One. Go forth, prosper and reign
in thy beauty and vigor for the sake of truth, meekness and
righteousness," (see cat 180).
epimanikia (Gr., upon the cuffs): trapezoidal cuffs secured
around the forearms of the members of the episcopate, priests
and deacons; these symbolically represent the fetters Christ
wore at his Passion. This raiment was originally part of the
exclusive vestments of patriarchs; however, by the thirteenth
century they were already employed by both bishops and priests.
The two themes that are frequently depicted on epimanikia are
the Annunciation and the Communion of the Apostles.
epistyle: the lintel or lowest level of an entablature. On the
templon barrier the horizontal element supported by colonnettes
or piers, that bear images of the Deesis and later the Twelve
Great Feasts.
epitaphios (Gr., "upon the tomb"): embroidered liturgical
veil upon which is embroidered an image of the dead Christ,
or the Lamentation, or threnos. The textile developed from the
aer; however, the texts diverge, with the Epitaphios embroidered
with texts from the Easter Service. The Epitaphios is carried
in procession around the church on Good Friday, during the singing
of the ‘aposticha’ hymns at vespers, it is then
placed in the nave of the church for veneration by the congregation (see cat 187, 188, 189, 190, 191) see Christ Amnos. The term
is also used for commemorative textiles bearing an image of
the deceased that is draped over their tomb (see cat 29, 200).
epitrachelion, epitrachelia (Gr., "upon the neck"):
a long liturgical scarf approximately two meters in length,
suspended from around the neck of priests and bishops, and the
most important insignia of their priestly office. The two pieces
of fabric are held together by buttons or bells, and tassels
or fringes hang from the bottom. Priests are required to wear
the epitrachelion for their priestly duties, they may celebrate
the less solemn offices while wearing them without the phelonion:
i.e., Lesser Vespers, Compline, and Prayer-services in private
dwellings. Depictions of epitrachelia date to as early as the
tenth century, examples do not survive before the fourteenth
century. Although the epitrachelion is usually hidden under
the phelonion during the liturgy, they are often richly decorated,
typically with the Deesis, or scenes from the Twelve Great Feasts;
they were probably among the first vestments to receive embroidered
decoration (see cat 182, 183, 184, 268).
Eucharist, see communion.
eulogia, eulogiai (Gr., "blessing"):
ampulla containing oil or other blessed substance from a pilgrimage
site (see cat 139).
euchologion, euchologia (Gr., "prayer
book"): compilation of texts required for the celebration
of the liturgy and other offices. The Large Euchologion includes
rites that only a bishop may perform; whereas the Small Euchologion
contains services most frequently performed by a priest.
evangelary: collection of Gospel texts in order of the year’s
offices.
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