Significance of Orthodox Church Banners and Helpful Hints to Shop for Them

by Michael M. Istok Church Supplies Corp. Ever wondered why church banners are taken out in outdoor processions or for display inside the Church? This short read will help you understand or remember their significance so that you feel more purposeful while purchasing them.

Why do Churches Use Them?

Church banners are a simple and effective way to communicate the teachings of the Orthodox Christian faith to laity. They carry images of important icons such as Christ, the Most Holy Theotokos and saints. Many recreate ancient Biblical stories and carry special messages. It is acknowledged the world over that powerful images leave a lasting impression on minds and achieve more than what ordinary words can do. When used in liturgical outdoor processions, they signify triumph and herald the arrival of important oocasions such as Theophany, Pascha and Bright Week. Inside the church, they draw the attention of visitors to sacred iconic saints.

Fabric Church Banners

Orthodox Church banners are often ornate and richly decorated. Mostly commonly, they are made from fabric or metals like brass. Typically, fabric church banners are rectangular in shape and feature three ends or tails. They feature intricate church embroidery in their designs. Traditionally, they include a decorative cross and are finished off at the edges with trimmings around edges and tassles at the bottom. A rectangular church banner is normally suspended from a horizontal crossbar that is tied to a tall, vertical pole. The top of the pole usually features a cross. Fabric church banners are made from attractive materials such as velvet and available in all kinds of accepted liturgical colors.

Metallic Church Banners

Ornate and lavishly decorated brass church banners are the other type of church banners preferred by Orthodox Christian communities. Traditionally, they are handcrafted by skilled workmen and feature rich effects such as engravings, carvings, stones and enamel painting (to depict Orthodox Christian imagery). They are heavier than fabric church banners and attached to sturdy vertical poles which makes it easier to carry them around. When not taken out in processions, they are rested on solid support structures inside church premises. With their opulent appearance, they are a sight to behold and worthy tools to convey the lofty teachings of the Orthodox Christian faith.

Available at Different Price Points

Orthodox Church banners go by several names including ‘gonfalon’ and ‘khorugv’.  The price of these items can range from around two hundred dollars for the simplest fabric versions to over ten thousand dollars for the richly decorative brass ones. In addition to these, customers will also find children’s gonfalon – lightweight versions that small children can carry with ease during long outdoor processions.  The good news is that church communities can find something that fits their budget and needs. They can purchase all requirements including the gonfalon and support structures at one place. It really helps when you have a specialist online supplier of traditional Orthodox Church goods to rely on.

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Created on Nov 17th 2018 06:18. Viewed 650 times.

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