Vestments From Around the World

Ecclesiastical Sewing is a craft steeped in history and tradition. It is often relaxing to take a little break from working on vestments and Ecclesiastical Embroidery, to enjoy a visual feast for the eyes, and to seek out information on vestments from around the world.  One way to see vestments and Ecclesiastical Embroidery from around the world is Pinterest. Pinterest has become a wonderful source for photos and images of Church Vestments. There are some stunning hand embroidered Ecclesiastical pieces being made in the countries of Russia and Ukraine, to name a few.

Comparing Vestments

Over the years, as one reads and researches, one becomes familiar with the vestments used in the Western Church. In the Orthodox Church, the names and styles of the Vestments are slightly different.  The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a short little document put together by their Textile’s Curator explaining some of the differences between the vestments in the Orthodox Church and Western Church.  The article is entitled  Splendor From Old Russia

Pictured in the document is the Russian Phelonion ( Priest’s vestment).  The closest vestments to this from the West are the Cope and Chasuble. The author explains how both Orthodox and Western vestments descended from an earlier classical poncho-like cloak with a hole for the head.

Orthodox Vestments

The vestments featured in the article from the Metropolitan Museum of Art date from the years 1802 to 1877.  The author describes four gorgeous vestments in their collection as being “as luxurious as weaving and embroidery can make them.” The vestments, crafted from fabrics abundant in gold and silver, enhance their appearance with silver and gold bells and buttons shaped like balls, which they attach to the hems. Other interesting facts include details on the unique garment labels found on the vestments, one of which reads, “Cathedral of Saint Sophia, Kyiv.”

For those fortunate enough to live or be visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the vestments, at the time of the writing, were located adjacent to the Textiles Study Room in the north wing.  Please be sure to leave a comment about any beautiful Orthodox Vestments you have been fortunate enough to see!

Solo Dei Gloria

Be sure to visit our online store front Ecclesiastical Sewing where you may shop for Liturgical Fabrics, altar linen fabrics, church vestment-making patterns, liturgical machine embroidery designs,  church vestment trims and notions and so much more. You may also find us on  Ecclesiastical Sewing on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest. Sign up for our mailing list at the bottom of the page on our online store front and receive a free copy of our Small Linens Booklet as our way of saying thank you for following along.

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