The Angelic Witness | Antimension

Description

A Living Tradition: An Original Monastic Design

This Antimension is a unique offering from our monastery. Unlike our other designs which are restorations of existing antimensia, The Angelic Witness is an original composition created by our brotherhood. Inspired by the ancient, holy cloths we studied in the Byzantine Museum of Athens, we sought to create a new design that breathes with the spirit of the ancient Church.

The Iconography of the Antimension

The iconography is profound and distinct. The central figure is the Body of Christ, depicted from above, lying flat, and radiant—a visual testament that He is the Source of Life.

In the four corners, six-winged Seraphim gaze at their Creator lying in the tomb.

Framing this sacred scene is a border of text in beautiful Byzantine Greek script. These words are the opening verse of the Lamentations (Enkomia) chanted during the Epitaphios service, weaving the liturgical poetry of Holy Friday directly into the fabric of the altar.

Prepared by Monks

Created and printed in Boetia, Greece, each cloth is a fruit of our monastery’s creative and spiritual life.

Custom Backing Options

We offer this Antimension in two formats to suit your specific liturgical needs:

• With Red Backing: Our brotherhood will hand-sew a traditional red iliton backing onto the Antimension in our workshop, ensuring a secure, durable, and professional finish ready for regular use.
• Without Backing (Cloth Only): This option includes a generous white border for you to sew your own backing. This is the required choice if the Antimension is intended for the Consecration of a Temple, preventing any risk of color run from the holy chrism and oils used during the rite.

Dimensions

• Icon Area (Cloth Only): Approximately 23″ x 15.5″ (58.4 cm x 39.4 cm)
• Total Size (With Red Backing): Approximately 27″ x 17″ (68.6 cm x 43.2 cm)

Please note: This item does not contain relics.