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Kuwait Times
09-07-2025
- General
- Kuwait Times
Mitre by mitre: North Macedonian nuns craft priceless holy headwear
In total silence, Sister Elisaveta stitched the sacred headwear for which her monastery in North Macedonia is renowned throughout the Orthodox world. In her careful hands, the mitre glimmered as if spun from gold. The bulbous silk crown, now repaired, was again fit for a bishop. Nestled between mountains and overlooking a placid lake about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Skopje, Saint George the Victorious monastery produces unique headdresses worn by patriarchs around the world. 'We are the only one in the world that works with this type of mitre,' Sister Efimija told AFP, referring to her workshop of 10 nuns. Sewing secrets The sisters work as a team, helped by two novices, each nun perfecting a particular part of the technique. 'Each of the sisters has her own assignment in the process,' Efimija said, as she watched a colleague make the final touches to her repair work. Some elements of the handmade production are so secret they are known to only a small number of nuns, the 44-year-old said. Originally a home to monks, the monastery was shut by the communist government after World War II and turned into stables. But since it reopened as a convent in 2001, its Christian Orthodox nuns have fashioned 1,700 incredibly detailed mitres, Efimija said. Christian Orthodox nun Efimija works on a mitre. Christian Orthodox nuns Efimija (left) and Elisaveta (right) work on a mitre. Christian Orthodox nun Efimija looks at the embroidery details on a mitre. This photograph shows a mitre, a liturgical vestment embroidered by Christian Orthodox nun Elisaveta. Christian Orthodox nuns Efimija (left) and Elisaveta (right) walk in the yard of the monastery of Saint George the Victorious situated in the village of Rajcica, some 132 kilometers west of capital Skopje, North Macedonia.--AFP photos Christian Orthodox nuns Efimija (left) and Elisaveta (right) walk in the yard of the monastery of Saint George. Although mitres are worn by the Catholic pope, and by bishops and some abbots from several Christian denominations, those made at Saint George are reserved for higher-ranking priests in the Christian Orthodox Church. Exceptionally, the nuns crafted a special headdress for the late pope Francis, which took five months to finish. It was gifted to Francis by a North Macedonia state delegation to the Vatican in 2016. He was 'pleasantly surprised', Efimija said with pride. 'Priceless' Decorated with vibrant colours, gold embroidery and jewels, every mitre weighs between one and two kilograms (2.2 and 4.4 pounds). They take at least four weeks to produce. Some need six months to complete. According to Sister Efimija, the Saint George mitres follow the lavish style of the late Byzantine Empire. But her workshop, with its secret techniques, adds a unique flair. Despite its opulence, the mitre symbolizes the crown of thorns that Christians believe was placed on Christ's head during the crucifixion and Sister Efimija said she hoped each would bring humility to its wearer. 'If the bishop wears such a priceless object on his head and does not feel the burden of torments borne by contemporary man, then he wears the mitre in vain', she said. — AFP
France 24
08-07-2025
- General
- France 24
Mitre by mitre: N. Macedonian nuns craft priceless holy headwear
In her careful hands, the mitre glimmered as if spun from gold. The bulbous silk crown, now repaired, was again fit for a bishop. Nestled between mountains and overlooking a placid lake about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Skopje, Saint George the Victorious monastery produces unique headdresses worn by patriarchs around the world. "We are the only one in the world that works with this type of mitre," Sister Efimija told AFP, referring to her workshop of 10 nuns. - Sewing secrets - The sisters work as a team, helped by two novices, each nun perfecting a particular part of the technique. "Each of the sisters has her own assignment in the process," Efimija said, as she watched a colleague make the final touches to her repair work. Some elements of the handmade production are so secret they are known to only a small number of nuns, the 44-year-old said. Originally a home to monks, the monastery was shut by the communist government after World War II and turned into stables. But since it reopened as a convent in 2001, its Christian Orthodox nuns have fashioned 1,700 incredibly detailed mitres, Efimija said. Although mitres are worn by the Catholic pope, and by bishops and some abbots from several Christian denominations, those made at Saint George are reserved for higher-ranking priests in the Christian Orthodox Church. Exceptionally, the nuns crafted a special headdress for the late pope Francis, which took five months to finish. It was gifted to Francis by a North Macedonia state delegation to the Vatican in 2016. He was "pleasantly surprised", Efimija said with pride. - 'Priceless' - Decorated with vibrant colours, gold embroidery and jewels, every mitre weighs between one and two kilograms (2.2 and 4.4 pounds). They take at least four weeks to produce. Some need six months to complete. According to Sister Efimija, the Saint George mitres follow the lavish style of the late Byzantine Empire. But her workshop, with its secret techniques, adds a unique flair. Despite its opulence, the mitre symbolises the crown of thorns that Christians believe was placed on Christ's head during the crucifixion and Sister Efimija said she hoped each would bring humility to its wearer. "If the bishop wears such a priceless object on his head and does not feel the burden of torments borne by contemporary man, then he wears the mitre in vain", she said. © 2025 AFP
Int'l Business Times
08-07-2025
- General
- Int'l Business Times
Mitre By Mitre: N. Macedonian Nuns Craft Priceless Holy Headwear
In total silence, Sister Elisaveta stitched the sacred headwear for which her monastery in North Macedonia is renowned throughout the Orthodox world. In her careful hands, the mitre glimmered as if spun from gold. The bulbous silk crown, now repaired, was again fit for a bishop. Nestled between mountains and overlooking a placid lake about 130 kilometres (80 miles) west of Skopje, Saint George the Victorious monastery produces unique headdresses worn by patriarchs around the world. "We are the only one in the world that works with this type of mitre," Sister Efimija told AFP, referring to her workshop of 10 nuns. The sisters work as a team, helped by two novices, each nun perfecting a particular part of the technique. "Each of the sisters has her own assignment in the process," Efimija said, as she watched a colleague make the final touches to her repair work. Some elements of the handmade production are so secret they are known to only a small number of nuns, the 44-year-old said. Originally a home to monks, the monastery was shut by the communist government after World War II and turned into stables. But since it reopened as a convent in 2001, its Christian Orthodox nuns have fashioned 1,700 incredibly detailed mitres, Efimija said. Although mitres are worn by the Catholic pope, and by bishops and some abbots from several Christian denominations, those made at Saint George are reserved for higher-ranking priests in the Christian Orthodox Church. Exceptionally, the nuns crafted a special headdress for the late pope Francis, which took five months to finish. It was gifted to Francis by a North Macedonia state delegation to the Vatican in 2016. He was "pleasantly surprised", Efimija said with pride. Decorated with vibrant colours, gold embroidery and jewels, every mitre weighs between one and two kilograms (2.2 and 4.4 pounds). They take at least four weeks to produce. Some need six months to complete. According to Sister Efimija, the Saint George mitres follow the lavish style of the late Byzantine Empire. But her workshop, with its secret techniques, adds a unique flair. Despite its opulence, the mitre symbolises the crown of thorns that Christians believe was placed on Christ's head during the crucifixion and Sister Efimija said she hoped each would bring humility to its wearer. "If the bishop wears such a priceless object on his head and does not feel the burden of torments borne by contemporary man, then he wears the mitre in vain", she said. Mitres made at St George are reserved for high-ranking priests in the Christian Orthodox Church AFP St George's monastery was turned into stables in in 1945 before reopening as a Christian Orthodox convent AFP
Russia Today
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
EU state's president refuses to sign law banning Christian church
Estonia's president, Alar Karis, has for the second time refused to support a controversial law targeting the nation's largest Christian denomination – the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC) – which he claims violates the Baltic State's constitution. The bill that was initially passed by lawmakers back in April is aimed at barring religious organizations from having ties with foreign bodies deemed a security threat. It would prohibit local churches from having ties or economic relations with such bodies enshrined in foundational documents or charters. Legislation seeking to bar religious entities from being governed by foreign bodies or leaders deemed a threat was dropped after Karis opposed the bill in April. He maintains, however, that the changes were not sufficient enough. The bill 'disproportionally limits the freedom of congregations and religion,' Karis said on Thursday, criticizing the definition of a 'threat' in the legislation as extremely 'vague.' Tallinn has 'other effective means' to combat what he called foreign influence and such 'extensive interference' into people's religious life is not needed. Lawmakers have openly admitted that they sought to exert control 'over the church teachings and religious rituals,' he claimed. The president's decision drew criticism from Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro, who claimed the bill was aimed at protecting the country's 'security' and would not lead to 'a ban on Orthodox Christianity or any other religion.' The ECOC has repeatedly expressed its concerns over the legislation. In June, it warned that the bill interfered 'disproportionately' with the internal life of religious associations even after its initial version was amended. The church had previously been required to revise its charter and remove any mention of the Moscow Patriarchate, despite maintaining historic and canonical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The ROC has previously condemned the draft law as discriminatory against Estonia's 250,000 Orthodox believers, stressing that the ECOC has never engaged in politics or jeopardized public safety. Around 16% of Estonians identify as Orthodox Christians and 8% as Lutherans, according to government data.
Russia Today
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Russia Today
Baltic state's president rejects bill targeting country's largest Christian church
Estonia's president, Alar Karis, has for the second time refused to support a controversial law targeting the nation's largest Christian denomination – the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (ECOC) – which he claims violates the Baltic State's constitution. The bill that was initially passed by lawmakers back in April is aimed at barring religious organizations from having ties with foreign bodies deemed a security threat. It would prohibit local churches from having ties or economic relations with such bodies enshrined in foundational documents or charters. Legislation seeking to bar religious entities from being governed by foreign bodies or leaders deemed a threat was dropped after Karis opposed the bill in April. He maintains, however, that the changes were not sufficient enough. The bill 'disproportionally limits the freedom of congregations and religion,' Karis said on Thursday, criticizing the definition of a 'threat' in the legislation as extremely 'vague.' Tallinn has 'other effective means' to combat what he called foreign influence and such 'extensive interference' into people's religious life is not needed. Lawmakers have openly admitted that they sought to exert control 'over the church teachings and religious rituals,' he claimed. The president's decision drew criticism from Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro, who claimed the bill was aimed at protecting the country's 'security' and would not lead to 'a ban on Orthodox Christianity or any other religion.' The ECOC has repeatedly expressed its concerns over the legislation. In June, it warned that the bill interfered 'disproportionately' with the internal life of religious associations even after its initial version was amended. The church had previously been required to revise its charter and remove any mention of the Moscow Patriarchate, despite maintaining historic and canonical ties with the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC), following the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022. The ROC has previously condemned the draft law as discriminatory against Estonia's 250,000 Orthodox believers, stressing that the ECOC has never engaged in politics or jeopardized public safety. Around 16% of Estonians identify as Orthodox Christians and 8% as Lutherans, according to government data.
