Napkins & Special Covers
28 itemsThe small cloths of the altar do the most work and get replaced the most often: the napkin for the holy table cross, the communion cloth held under the chin of each communicant, the sulok that wraps the bishop’s crozier, and the seven-piece MITRAS sets that dress a holy table through the whole cycle of colours.
Everything here is fully embroidered in our Florida atelier, in every liturgical colour, and made to whatever size your altar actually is. Tell us the dimensions and we will cut to them.
The small cloths, and what each is for
- Napkin for the holy table cross. Laid beneath the blessing cross so the metal never rests directly on the altar covering; changed with the season alongside the altar covers.
- Communion cloth. Held beneath the chin as each of the faithful receives, and one of the few textiles in the church handled by everyone. Made in red in most parishes, and made to be washed constantly.
- Sulok. The double cloth attached to the bishop’s crozier, kept between his hand and the staff. See the rest of the bishop’s vestments.
- MITRAS napkin sets. Seven pieces covering the full round of liturgical colours, so the altar is never short of the right cloth on the right day.
Made to be laundered
These are the pieces that get used, stained and washed hardest, which changes how they have to be built. We back the embroidery so it does not pucker after washing, finish the edges so they do not fray at the corners where the cloth is gripped, and pre-shrink the ground fabric so a napkin cut to your altar still fits it a year later. Wine and oil are the realities of the job; the cloths are made for that rather than for the display case.
Ordering a set rather than a piece
Most parishes are better served ordering the small cloths as a set in each colour they use, rather than one at a time as each wears out — the embroidery and the brocade then match across the whole altar, and there is always a clean one to hand. If you already have altar covers or chalice covers from us, tell us and we will match the fabric.
Frequently asked about napkins & special covers
What size should the napkin for the holy table cross be?
It should sit comfortably under the base of your cross with a margin on every side — for most parishes that is somewhere between 12″ and 18″ square. Measure the base of your blessing cross and send us that; we will recommend a size and confirm before cutting.
What colour should communion cloths be?
Red is the usual choice, being both traditional and the most forgiving of wine. Some parishes keep a white set for Pascha and Bright Week. We make them in any liturgical colour.
Can these be washed?
Yes — they are made for it. The embroidery is backed so it does not pucker and the ground fabric is pre-shrunk, so a cloth cut to your altar still fits after repeated laundering. Wash cool and iron on the reverse.
What is a sulok?
The cloth attached to a bishop’s crozier just below the crook, folded double so his hand does not touch the staff directly. It is embroidered to match the rest of the episcopal vestments and is ordered by most parishes together with them.
Can you match these to altar covers we already have?
Yes. If you ordered the covers from us we still have the brocade on record. Otherwise send a photo, and an offcut if you have one, and we will match the fabric and embroidery as closely as we can.
