Orlets

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An Orlets (Russian: орлец, "eagle"), also known as an Eagle Rug, is a small rug, usually round, upon which an Orthodox bishop stands during divine services.

[edit] Appearance

The orlets is normally woven or embroidered so as to depict an eagle soaring over a city that is surrounded by walls and towers. The walled city represents the bishop's episcopal authority over his Diocese, and his defense of the faithful in it. The eagle soaring above the city represents the bishop's uprightness of life, and his sound theological preaching of the Gospel, which should soar above all worldliness and elevate the hearts and minds of the faithful. Around the eagle's head is a halo, in imitation of the eagle used to depict St. John the Divine, and symbolizing theological attainments and the grace of the Holy Spirit.^[1] The eagle is also a reminder that, "as an eagle can see clearly over distances, so must a bishop oversee all parts of his diocese."^[2]

[edit] Use

Any time a bishop is present in the church, or functioning at some service outdoors--whether vested and serving or whether simply wearing the mantle--he will stand on an orlets. During the Hierarchical Divine Liturgy^[3] many orletsi are used. There will always be one where he is seated or standing, and before he moves to a spot (such as on the Ambo) to give a blessing, an orlets will be placed there for him to stand on as he blesses. The orlets placed at the bishop's cathedra is slightly larger than the others used during the services. The orlets is always placed so that the head of the eagle faces the direction the bishop will be facing.

[edit] Special Form

Before his Consecration, a bishop-elect will be led onto a very large orlets, used especially for this purpose, as the Consecrating Bishops examine him regarding his faith. During this examination, he holds in his hands his written confession of faith. He says the Nicene Creed as he stands on the portion of the orlets depicting the tail of the eagle. He is then led to the center of the orlets to make a more thorough explanation of the Orthodoxy of his Faith regarding Trinitarian theology, Christology and Sacred Tradition. He is then led to the portion of the orlets depicting the head of the eagle, and vows to follow the Sacred Canons and teachings of the Church, to preserve the peace of the Church, and to faithfully and zealously fulfill the obligations of the Episcopate. He then hands the hands of the consecrating bishops and hands them his written confession of faith. Only after this, may the Consecration proceed.

1. ^ Service Book of the Holy Orthodox-Catholic Apostolic Church (Tr. Isabel F. Hapgood, Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, 1975), p. 606-7.
2. ^ The Law of God, Archpriest Seraphim Slobodskoy(Holy Trinity Monastery, Jordanville, NY, 1996), p. 540.
3. ^ A Hierarchical Divine Liturgy is one at which a bishop vests and serves as the cief celebrant.