Epitrachelia of Bishop Gregory of Vella, year 1813

The epitrachelion (152,5X34,6 cm) is decorated with the Root of Jesse.

The Righteous Jesse is depicted lying on the lower edge of the robe. Branches rise from his body forming oval frames, with six wings interspersed between them, within which full-length prophets with the symbols of the Virgin Mary are depicted. Around the neck are depicted the Nativity, the Adoration of the Magi and the Shepherds, and the Temptation of Joseph. Just below Jesse is the votive inscription of the robe, according to which it was dedicated to the Vatopedi Monastery by Bishop Vellas Gregory of Meleniko. The inscription is divided into two by the date "1813 MARCH 2". Certain iconographic details of the compositions on the neck, and more generally the design and the detailed technique applied, testify to the influences of Western art. It is even possible that the vestment was made in a workshop in Vienna, with which many people from Meleniki maintained commercial relations.