epigonation

thumb|Embroidered palitza (photograph c. 1911 by Sergei Mikhailovich Prokudin-Gorskii). thumb|Fresco of St [[Gregory the Illuminator wearing a gold epigonation (the half-visible rhombus behind the Omophorion) embroidered with an icon (14th century, Mistra).]] The epigonation (Greek: , literally meaning "over the knee"), or pálitsa (Russian: , "club"), is a vestment used in some Eastern Christian churches.

==Description and usage== In Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite the palitza is worn by all bishops, and as an ecclesiastical award for some priests. Its origin may be traced to the practice of Byzantine Emperors awarding ceremonial swords to their military commanders in recognition of their valour in defending the empire. Such swords were often accompanied by elaborate thigh-shields which were suspended from the belt and protected the leg from bruising caused by the constant bumping of the sword against the thigh. When the emperors began to give awards to the clergy, the thigh-shield alone was awarded. According to another theory, the garment may be traced to the Roman mappa, an aristocratic handkerchief carried in hand (which is also postulated to be the origin of the Western Christian maniple). Supporting this interpretation are early pictorial depictions which show both bishops and the Virgin Mary holding a decorative piece of fabric in hand or hanging from their girdles.