Church traditions have hardly changed for many centuries. At the same time, different obligatory attributes are used in various worship services and other obligatory rituals. They also include banners. These religious banners are found in various branches of Christianity.
Purpose of banners
This church banner has another name. It is also considered correct. It is often referred to as "the banner". Most often it is used in the so-called processions of the cross, gathering a huge number of people and timed to coincide with some solemn events and church holidays associated with religious traditions. At the very beginning of the procession, they are carried by special attendants called banner bearers. As a rule, several of these religious banners are used simultaneously in the procession. Who uses sacred banners? This attribute is required in the Eastern Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
Material for making
What is a banner, and what is it made of? For its manufacture, such expensive fabrics as silk, velvet, taffeta, twill are used. Trim them with silverand gold cords in the form of a fringe or tassels. Images of the Virgin Mary, Jesus Christ, the Trinity are applied to these banners using a special application technique. They also often depict the most revered Saints. Brocade and velvet banners are embroidered with golden threads. In some cases, they are made of metals and decorated with gold, silver, enamel and enamel.
The flagpole is long wooden poles connected in the form of a cross. Some large banners are made with special devices so that 4 people can carry them at the same time. In the central part of the gonfalon, there is often an embroidered icon made using the facial sewing technique.
Church banners
For the first time such banners were made by decree of the Roman emperor Constantine the Great (272-337 AD). According to legend, it is believed that the banner is a divine message that he saw in the sky. After that, he ordered the use of such banners in various church rituals. Over time, the sacred banners began to quickly spread to different countries where Christianity was practiced. Banners represent the symbol of victory over the devil and death.
During the period between religious processions, these banners are stored inside the temple. Most often they are placed next to the right or left kliros (the place where readers and singers are located at the time of worship). These sacred banners are revered in the same way as icons.
