Monahinja Jefimija

SUAGE THE BITTER STORM IN MY SOUL AND BODY. EUPHEMIA FROM HER HEART OFFERS THIS TO THEE, OH BLESSED SAINT!"

THESE HUMBLE WORDS EUPHEMIA EMBROIDERED IN SILVER-GILT ON CRIMSON SILK. THE PALL, INTENDED ONLY TO COVER THE FACE OF THE SAINT, IS 66 CM. LONG AND 49 CM. WIDE. THE WORDS FORM 26 LINES AND ARE WORKED IN CONNECTED, VERY CLOSE LETTERING, 18 MM. IN HEIGHT. ROUND THE TEXT IS A BORDER, 25 CM. WIDE, ABOUT WHICH IS ENTWINED A VINE WITH LEAVES, THE ONLY ORNAMENT OF EUPHEMIA’S GIFT. THE PALL IS UNIQUE NOT ONLY AMONG SERBIAN EMBROIDERIES, BUT AMONG MEDIEVAL EMBROIDERIES IN GENERAL, IN THAT THERE IS NO PICTURE ON IT, ITS ONLY ORNAMENT BEING THE EMBROIDERED BORDER.

LED IN ALL THINGS BY HER DESIRE TO SPEND HER DAYS IN USEFUL ACTIVITY, TO THE GLORY OF GOD, EUPHEMIA GAVE OTHER PROOFS OF HER UNIQUE SKILL IN EMBROIDERY: FIRST SHE MADE AND EMBROIDERED WITH EXQUISITE ORNAMENTS A CURTAIN FOR THE ROYAL SANCTUARY-DOORS OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY VIRGIN AT HILENDAR, A MONASTERY BUILT ON MOUNT ATHOS AT THE