Antidoron Embroidered Zipper Pouch

A pouch embroidered with Great Schema Cross. Used for carrying antidor, prosphora and artos. The pouch has a zipper and a cord for ease and convenience.

Great schema

Great and Angelic schema symbolizes the second baptism of the schemamonks and schemanuns.

The base upon which the Great schema Cross stands represents "the place, which is called Calvary" (Luke 23:33), or "Golgotha, that is to say, the Place of the Skull" (Matthew 27:33), "where they crucified Him" (John 19:18) Who "wrought salvation in the midst of the earth" (Psalm 73:13).

The skull and crossbones represent "the first man Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45), who according to tradition "return unto the ground" (Genesis 3:19) at the very spot of Jesus' crucifixion, the reason that this place of execution, "full of dead men’s bones" (St. Matthew 23:27) became the place where "the last Adam was made a quickening spirit" (1 Corinthians 15:45).

On either side of the Cross there are the spear and the sponge on the reed, the Arma Christi ("weapons of Christ"), or the Instruments of the Passion of the Lord.

Abbreviations surrounding the Cross:

ΙΣ ΧΣ ΝΙΚΑ (Ιησούς Χριστός Νικά) — Jesus Christ Conquers, a common phrase written in iconographic images, reinforcing that Christ overcame death

ΞΖ (Ξύλον Ζωής) — the Tree of Life, another name for "the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14)

Prosphora and antidoron

The name prosphora (Greek πρόσφορο) comes from the Greek word "προσφέρω" (to offer), in line with the Old Testament tradition of bread offering:

"Along with their fellowship offering of thanksgiving they are to present an offering with thick loaves of bread made with yeast" (Lev. 7:13)

A portion of the prosphora is used to prepare the antidoron (Greek αντίδωρο) during the Proskomedia, or Liturgy of Preparation. At the end of the liturgy, it is distributed instead of Holy Communion to the faithful who haven't been given one. Thus, "antidoron" means "instead of the gift": "αντί δώρο" - αντί του δώρου της Θείας Κοινωνίας (instead of the gift of Holy Communion).