Great Skima - Breadth of Cloth 42 x 54,5 cm

(sec. XVI)

This level is only  reached after  many years, when the abbot  considers that a monk has  consolidated  his spirituality by totally  dedicating himself to god.

 Represented at the centre of the “Skima” is the Cross standing on the hill of Golgotha, while at the sides are the symbols of the Passion of Christ: the spear that pierced his side (left) and the rod with the vinegar-soaked sponge which they  “put to his mouth” (right).

Depicted on the Cross is the crown of thorns  and also near  the Cross are the letters C XC= Jesus Christ, NIKA (Victory), T-K-P-A= Topos Craniou Paradisos  Adam indicating that the Cross of Jesus Christ (the way to Paradise) was raised on the place where Adam’s skull was buried.

Thus Christ saves both Adam and mankind from sin by his own death: It is he who is the new Adam.

At the corners of the “Skima” there are four roundels showing the symbols of the four Evangelist represented by the words “adonta”  “boonta”, “kekragonta kai legonta”, above appear the cosmic symbols of the Sun and Moon, while below we see the name and other details of the monk who wears the “Great Skima”.