The sticharion (also stikharion or stichar; Greek: στιχάριον; Slavonic: Стиха́рь - Stikhár’) is a liturgical vestment of the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches, roughly analogous in function to the alb of the Western Church. The sticharion is worn by all classes of ordained ministers in the Constantinopolitan Rite and comes in two forms: one worn by priests and one worn by deacons and other altar servers. The sticharion is derived from the chiton, a long, sleeved garment which reached to the ground and was worn in ancient times by both men and women. Deacons and Servers In the form worn by deacons, subdeacons, altar servers, and sometimes by readers, the sticharion is a long robe with wide, loose sleeves, fastened at the neck, and often open down the sides but held shut with buttons or ties. Thus in form, it is close to the dalmatic and tunicle of Western Christianity. There is usually a cross embroidered or appliquéd to the center of the back, between the shoulder blades. This type of sticharion is often made from rich brocade in the various liturgical colors, and worn as an outer vestment. The sticharion is symbolic of "a pure and tranquil conscience, a spotless life, and the spiritual joy in the Lord which flows therefrom." Priests The sticharion used by priests and bishops is worn as the undermost vestment. In this form, it is often made from a lighter fabric: linen, satin, silk, etc., and is usually white in color, though it may also be made of colored fabric. It is usually far less ornate than the deacon's sticharion. The priest's sticharion has narrow sleeves that tie at the wrists. The white color symbolizes that the grace of the Holy Spirit covers the celebrant with a garment of salvation. In the Russian tradition, a bishop's sticharion can be more elaborately embellished than a priest's and is sometimes called a podsakkosnik (Russian:подсаккосник), i.e., "under-sakkos". Coptic priests wear a white sticharion with a large cross on the front and back, and smaller ones on each sleeve. "Ⲓⲏ̅̅ⲥ̅̅ Ⲡⲓⲭ̅̅ⲥ̅̅ ̀Ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲙⲫ̅ϯ" (Nomina Sacra for Ⲓⲏⲥⲟⲥ Ⲡⲓ̀ⲭⲣⲏⲥⲧⲟⲥ ̀Ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ̀ⲙⲪⲛⲟⲩϯ), meaning "Jesus Christ the Son of God," is usually written around the crosses. An epitrachelion-like garment is usually worn on top but not used during lesser services, along with other garments on special occasions. Chaldean and Assyrian priests where a similar alb-like garment, called a kottinâ. The