Khorugv

The khorugv or banner consists of an icon of Christ, the Theotokos or a saint, either painted or embroidered on a rectangular piece of cloth.

In the year 312, on the eve of the Battle of the Milvian Bridge, he saw a vision of the Cross of Christ appear in the sky, and beneath it the words Ἐν τούτῳ νίκα (En touto nika, "In this, be victorious").

After this point, we begin to see in Christian art the Greek letters IC (Jesus) XC (Christ) NIKA ("is victorious, conquers") added to depictions of the cross.

Spain and Italy were equally influenced by Byzantine tastes, and by the Middle Ages, the use of richly embroidered church banners is attested in both the East and the West.

The two choirs (klirosi) symbolize the ranks of the Church Militant, and the banners represent the victorious triumph of Christ over the world, sin and the devil.

The khorugv usually comes in line right after the Cross in processions, representing triumphant banners leading the faithful in their pilgrimage to the kingdom of heaven.

On Good Friday and Great Saturday, the khorugv have black cloth tied around their borders, indicating mourning over the death of Christ.

Red banner embroidered with an icon of a saint ( Church of St. Gabriel , Nazareth ).
Khorugv "Saint Nicholas with archangels", Russia, early 20th century.
Easter Cross Procession , with khorugvi seen in the background, center (1880-83, Ilya Repin ).
Russian Orthodox Crucession with lantern, processional cross and banners.
The faithful with khorugvi are waiting for the arrival of the relics of Venerable Macarius to Kstovo .
Receiving Holy Communion at Chudov Monastery , Moscow . Metalwork khorugvi can be seen on the right (1866, Stepan Shukhvostov).
Metallic khorugv, Theotokos of St. Theodore , Moscow (1916).