Object ID
2003.27.4
Object Name
Veil
Material
Velvet
Object Entities
In Athens, Greece (created by)
Greek Orthodox Church, St. (owned by)
Demetrios, St. (is related to)
Greek Orthodox Church, St. (is related to)
Object Description
Red velvet Aer with gold embroidery and fringe. The Veil is rectangular with a gold-decorated cross at its center, embroidered greenery in the corners, and gold borders. The cross is built up as the focal point by the base which is a raised, gold-embroidered cross that is largely obscured by decoration. At the center is a bright red (fake) jewel from which tendrils of metallic gold thread emanate. Each of these treads ends in pale metallic sequin which has been sewn onto the embroidered cross. This gold embroidery is echoed in the decoration of leaves and buds found on each of the four corners. The interior of the entire Aer is decorated with a border of thin gold rickrack and then an outer border of gold fringe. the back is lined with a silky, lighter red fabric. Two satin peach ribbons attach at the upper corners. On the bottom between the twin leaf and berry decorations the words "Donation of Graduates of the Greek School Solon 1961-1962" are embroidered in Greek. Sewn into the lining on the back is a label. The label has a logo of a two-headed eagle and gives the company name and its street address in Athens. At the top, the label also specifies that the company specializes in church supplies.
Origin
The Aer is used to cover the Chalice and the Paten during the ceremony of the Eucharist before and after they are in use. The Aer represents the shroud of Christ. In the western orthodox church, there are three veils for the ceremony: the chalice veil, the paten veil, and one to cover both (aer). The veil usually corresponds to the color and material of the priest's vestments.

Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church was founded in 1927 at its current location on Winona Street, on the north side of Chicago. The Church also has a school for children of pre-school age. The Solon teaches Greek language, culture, and religion to young children and provides a bridge between home and school environments. Demetrios was sainted for his faith in the face of Roman persecution. He used his position as a public figure to convert many Greeks in Thessaly and was openly defiant to the Emperor.
Rights and Reproduction
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Citation
Veil, National Hellenic Museum, https://collections.nationalhellenicmuseum.org/Detail/objects/6918. Accessed 04/19/24.