engolpion

An engolpion, also spelled enkolpion or engolpion, is a pectoral icon worn by bishops and some priests in the Eastern Orthodox and certain Eastern Catholic churches. The term derives from the Greek enkolpion, meaning “in the bosom” or “on the chest,” reflecting its placement on the wearer’s chest.

Physically, an engolpion consists of a small icon, typically depicting Christ Pantocrator, the Virgin Mary (Panagia), or a saint, set behind a protective metal case and suspended by a chain or cord around the neck. The icon is viewed through a glass or crystal window and is worn over liturgical vestments during services and other church duties. The piece serves both as a devotional image and as a sign of ecclesiastical office.

Originating in the Byzantine period, the engolpion functioned as a portable icon and a public symbol of rank. In many traditions, the enkolpion is closely associated with higher clergy; the Panagia-type enkolpion, featuring the Virgin Mary, is particularly common for bishops and other senior clergy.

Materials and craftsmanship vary widely. Engolpia can be made of gold or silver, sometimes gilded or enamelled, and may include precious stones. They range from relatively simple devotional objects to highly elaborate pieces crafted by skilled iconographers and metalworkers; some confer possession of historical and artistic value in addition to liturgical use.

In contemporary practice, engolpia remain a distinctive element of clerical attire in Eastern Orthodoxy and are also found in many Eastern Catholic traditions, continuing as portable, reverent icons worn by clergy.