THE PRIEST VESTMENTS AS AN INTEGRAL PART OF THE LITURGICAL ACTION AND SUBJECT SPATIAL ENVIRONMENT OF THE TEMPLE

Abstract

This article deals with the priest vestments (i.e. priestly), as this kind of clothes is the most common and used in Ukrainian temples among all degrees of priesthood. Liturgical vestments have passed the period of long evolution, the characteristic feature of which should be considered as the deep symbolic meaning based on ornaments, iconography and colouring clothes. With the development and affirmation of Christianity the priest vestments have been of great variety. The cult features of the clerical clothing are those which symbolize hard work of a priest and also God`s support which he feels while reading the Gospel. The clerical clothing reflect the dignity of a clergyman and its material, shape and decorative elements which are the part of artistic culture obey the idea of worship. Therefore, the priest vestments as a part of church art are sacred. The theological and symbolic content of priestly robes in the context of liturgical rite and church in general is highlighted in the article. The analysis of the sources of prayer speeches, which give the brief comprehension of the meaning or symbolism of putting on every component (sticharion (alb), stole, a belt, armbands, phelonion) of the priest vestments. The symbolic meaning of all the elements of the clerical clothing has been interpreted, the ritual and sequence of its putting on have been considered. Key words: clerical clothing, liturgical robe, Christ, symbolic meaning, worship, a clergyman, rite.