Altar Cloth (17th century, Russia) - Public Domain Byzantine Icon

The "plashchnitsa" (Greek "epitaphios") is an altar cloth that was brought out for special veneration on Good Friday, the feast day of the Crucifixion. At the center, the dead Christ is depicted on an altar-like table beneath a six-winged cherub. To the left and right, two "angels of the Lord" are shown with "rhipidia," or ceremonial fans usually held by deacons during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy. The inscription around the border contains verses from the Good Friday service.