Air with the Communion of the Apostles, year 1534-5

Air (54X52 cm.) depicting the moment just before the Communion of the Apostles. The velvet fabric of the vestment is embroidered over its entire surface with gold, silver and silk threads of various colors. The craftsman has used almost all the known stitches. In the center, under the ciborium with the drawn curtains and in front of the Holy Altar, stands Christ as the Great High Priest. He has his hands open in blessing. He wears a sack, an omophorion and has a halo decorated with gems. On the Holy Altar there is a tray covered with an asterisk, an element that refers us to the moment before the Communion. To the left and right of Christ stand two groups of Apostles. Their physiognomies are particularly expressive. They have their eyes fixed on the Lord and raise their hands in a pose of supplication. The circumference of the vestment is occupied by a Cyrillic inscription, which informs us about the time of dedication and the dedicatee of the air; “THE DISCIPLES AND APOSTLES SAID; TAKE AND EAT THIS, FOR MY BODY WHICH IS POURED FOR YOU IS FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS / THIS COVERING WAS MADE BY BARLAAM IN THE YEAR 7043 (= 1534-350). The name Barlaam in the inscription refers to a well-known metropolitan of Hungary and Wallachia.