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Epitaphios

284 bytes added, 22:02, July 6, 2011
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==Iconography==
[[Image:The Burial Lamentations by Theophanes the Cretan.jpg|right|thumb|200px|The Burial Lamentations, Holy Monastery of Stavronikita, Mount Athos. Mid-16th c.]][[Image:D005-1.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Epitaphios (plashchanitsa)]][[Image:shroud.jpg|right|thumb|Epitaphios prior to Paschal vigil at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church (Chicago, IL)]]
The icon depicts [[Christ]] after he has been removed from the cross, lying supine, as his body is being prepared for burial. The scene is taken from the [[Gospel]] of St. John 19:38-42. Shown around him, and mourning his death, may be his mother (the [[Theotokos]]; [[Apostle John|John]] the beloved disciple; [[Joseph of Arimathea]]; and [[Mary Magdalene]], as well as angels. [[Nicodemus]] and others may also be depicted. Sometimes, the body of Christ appears alone, except for angels, as if lying in state.[http://www.shroudforum.com/exhibit/images/simplezoom.jpg] The oldest surviving embroidered icon, of about 1200 (Venice) is in this form. The equivalent subjects in the West are called the "Anointing of Christ's body", or ''Lamentation'' (with a group present), or the ''Pietà'', with just Christ held by Mary.
===Vespers on Good Friday===
[[Image:2011-04-22-Apokathylosis.jpg|right|thumb|200px|From the ''Apokathylosis Service'', prior to the removal of Christ's Body (the Epitaphios) from the Cross, and its placement in the [[Church of the Holy Sepulchre (Jerusalem)|Sepulcher]] (''Toronto, ON'')]]
[[Image:shroud.jpg|right|thumb|200px|Epitaphios prior to Paschal vigil at Christ the Savior Orthodox Church (''Chicago, IL'')]]
'''The Deposition from the Cross.''' Prior to the ''Apokathelosis'' (lit. "taking-down from the tree") [[Vespers]] on the afternoon of Great Friday, the priest and deacon will place the Epitaphios on the Holy Table. The priest may also anoint the Epitaphios with perfumed oil. A chalice veil and the [[Gospel Book]] is placed on top of the Epitaphios. This may be either the large Gospel Book used at the [[Divine Liturgy]], or it may be a small one.
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