An apostolnik or epimandylion is an item of clerical clothing worn by

Eastern Orthodox Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...

and Eastern Catholic nuns. It is a cloth

veil A veil is an article of clothing or hanging cloth that is intended to cover some part of the human head, head or face, or an object of some significance. Veiling has a long history in European, Asian, and African societies. The practice has be ...

that covers the head, neck, and shoulders similar to a khimār form of hijab worn by Muslim women, usually black, but sometimes white. It is sometimes worn with a skufia. The nun typically receives the apostolnik when she becomes a novitiate. While it is usually replaced with the epanokalimavkion when the nun becomes a rassophor, many nuns will continue to wear the apostolnik for the sake of convenience, much as a monk will continue to wear a skufia instead of a klobuk when not attending the

Divine Liturgy Divine Liturgy () or Holy Liturgy is the usual name used in most Eastern Christian rites for the Eucharistic service. The Eastern Catholic Churches, Eastern Lutheranism, Eastern Lutheran Churches and the Eastern Orthodox Church believe the Divi ...

. In some practices, a novice wears a black scarf covering her head and tied under her chin. She then receives the apostolic at her

tonsure Tonsure () is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the scalp as a sign of religious devotion or humility. The term originates from the Latin word ' (meaning "clipping" or "shearing") and referred to a specific practice in ...

. In this practice, the epanokalimavkion may be reserved for the abbess and nuns of the Great Schema.

References

Eastern Christian vestments Headgear {{EasternCatholic-stub

See also

References