I. The =stoicharion= was, and is, identical with the Roman _alba_. The word is of uncertain etymology, and none of the guesses which have been made are at all satisfactory. Like the _alba_, it was originally a garment of secular use; this we infer from the _Apologia contra Arianos_,[88] where we read that one charge (among others) which was brought against Athanasius was that he had required the Egyptians to furnish linen =stoicharia=. Germanus says of the vestment, 'being white, the =stoicharion= signifies the glory of the Godhead and the bright citizenship of priests. The stripes of the =stoicharion= on the sleeve signify the bonds of Christ; the stripes which run across signify the blood which flowed from Christ's side on the cross.' Setting aside the symbolism, we learn that the vestment in the time of Germanus was white, ornamented with stripes, probably red, upon the sleeves and across the body. At present, while the vestment is still white on ordinary occasions, on certain days coloured =stoicharia= are worn, as will be shown in the chapter on Ritual Use. The =lôria=, or stripes, are now confined to the =stoicharia= of bishops. In Russia, and elsewhere to some extent, the =stoicharia= are often made of silk or velvet, though linen remains the proper material; here we see a notable correspondence with Western usage. [Illustration: FIG. 25.—DEACON IN =stoicharion, ôrarion=, AND =epimanikia=.] The _shapich_ of the Armenians and the _cuthino_ of the Malabar Christians correspond to this vestment and do not differ from it. It goes by other names in other parts of the Eastern Church; these are set forth in the appendix. Deacons, members of the minor orders, and choristers wear the shapich ungirded. II. The =epimanikia=. These correspond to the Western maniple, but they differ from it in several notable respects. First, one is provided for each arm instead of for the left arm only. Secondly, they are not worn pendant on the arm, but are drawn round, so that they rather resemble cuffs than napkins suspended on the wrist. In some early mosaics they are shown not so much as cuffs, as large false sleeves. Something similar seems to have been worn in the Gallican Church, if we may accept the testimony of the MS. already referred to on p. 135. [Illustration: FIG. 26.—PRIEST IN =stoicharion, epitrachêlion, phainolion, zônê=, AND =epimanikia=.] This vestment—for the two pieces may be said technically to form one vestment—was for a long time restricted to bishops only, but priests and, since 1600, even deacons have had the right to wear it. Bishops only, however, are allowed to have the =epimanikia= embroidered with the =eikôn= of Christ. The =epimanikia= are alleged to signify the bands with which Christ was bound.