Deacon Vestments Sets

Pieces in a deacon's vestment set

• Sticharion — the long outer robe, reaching to the ankles, with wide sleeves and a deep neckline opening. Unlike the priest's sticharion (which is worn under the phelonion and only partly visible), the deacon's sticharion is the principal outer vestment and the visual focus of his service. Often embroidered with a large cross on the chest and back, and ornamental trim along the sleeves.
• Orarion — the long narrow stole worn over the left shoulder, hanging down both in front and behind. The orarion is the most distinctive sign of the diaconate; it is the deacon who carries the prayers between altar and people, signalled by the orarion as he raises it during the litanies. Typically 4–5 metres long, with embroidered crosses at intervals and the words "Holy, Holy, Holy" embroidered on the front.
• Cuffs (poruchi) — bound around the wrists like a priest's, but somewhat broader. Symbolically these signify both the hands and the strength to lift them in prayer.

A protodeacon or archdeacon wears a double orarion — a longer orarion crossed under the right arm — as a sign of senior rank. We make these on request, with the appropriate inscription pattern.

The orarion: history and use

The orarion takes its name from the Latin orare (to pray) — appropriately, because it is the deacon's instrument of leading prayer. During the litanies, the deacon raises the front of the orarion with his right hand, signalling each petition. Before the consecration, he lays it across the chalice and diskos at the Great Entrance.

The orarion is one of the most ancient liturgical vestments — references to it appear in church canons from the 4th century — and its form has stayed remarkably stable: a long band of cloth, embroidered with crosses, worn over the left shoulder. The most traditional embroidery includes the Trisagion ("Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord of Sabaoth") in metallic thread along the front length.

Liturgical colours for deacon vestments

The deacon's vestments follow the same calendar of colours as the priest's: gold for most Sundays, white for Pascha and Theophany, red for martyrs and Holy Week, blue for Theotokos feasts, green for Pentecost and Palm Sunday, purple for Great Lent, and black for funerals and Lenten weekdays. Most deacons start with a gold set and add seasonal colours over time.

Embroidery and materials

We use the same heavy brocade as our priest vestments, lined with cotton or polyester twill. Embroidery is in metallic-wrapped thread (gold, silver, or oxidised silver depending on the brocade). The sleeves and hem of the sticharion are trimmed with embroidered galloon — narrow ornamental braid — in a matching or contrasting colour.

For premium commissions we offer goldwork on the chest cross of the sticharion or on a small icon panel on the back. Goldwork adds 2–3 weeks to production.

Sizing and measurements

A deacon's sticharion uses the same nine measurements as a priest's — see our measurements form. The orarion is a standard length (4 metres for a regular orarion, 5 metres for a protodeacon's double orarion); we cut from a longer bolt and finish the ends with embroidered crosses.

Ordination gift sets

A deacon's ordination is often celebrated with a parish gift — typically a sticharion, orarion, and cuffs together, in the colour the parish uses most. Order 8–10 weeks in advance of the ordination. We can include the deacon's monogram or the date of ordination on the orarion as a discreet personal mark.