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Worn as the outer garment by [[acolyte]]s it usually has a cross embroidered or appliquéd to the centre of the back, between the shoulder blades.
During the Order of Preparation, the Priest takes his sticharion, blesses the cross on the back and says, "Blessed is our God, now and always and forever and ever. Amen. I will greatly rejoice in the [[Lord]], for He has clothed me in the garment of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels (''Isaiah 61:10''); now and always and forever and ever. Amen."
The Latin vestment equivalent to the sticharion is the alb. It too is a long white garment worn by the bishop or priest under the chasuble which itself is equivalent to the Eastern phelonion. The alb may be plain or decorated with embroidery or lacework, but in Latin usage is almost always white.