As I’ve been working on translating a few articles about liturgical and medieval embroidery, I’ve encountered a number of words from Orthodox Christian belief, names of saints, Russian names for embroidery stitches, etc. which I hadn’t known or which may have required a bit of digging online to find a proper translation for. I figured my readers also might not be familiar with these terms, and I wanted one place to be able to find the research I’ve already done in the past. Thus, I put together this handy table of vocabulary. Terms in Russian (and, for Eastern Orthodox liturgical items, also sometimes Greek) are shown in their native alphabet and transliterated. I included the Greek terms, as they sometimes come in useful when interpreting inscriptions on liturgical items.
| English Term | Russian Term | Greek Term | Class | Description | Link to more info |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| "Bare-neck" collar (similar to a "key-hole" decoration on a tunic) | голошейка / goloshejka | Clothing term | |||
| Bran' or Branina | брань / bran' or бранина / branina | Clothing term | A patterned fabric in which the warp threads are lifted by a special means to create a desired pattern. It is used for trimmings, tablecloths, curtains, etc. | ||
| Branyj - adj., sewn from or woven as bran' | браный / branyj | Clothing term | |||
| Drobnitsa | дробница | Jewelry term | "Drobnitsy: metal plaques or plates - flat, convex, round, oblong, polygonal, in the form of brilliants, paws, tiles, moon-shapes, icon cases, etc. Small drobnitsy were usually used in lace weaving, embroidery with gold and silver thread, and in decoration with pearls and beads" Savvaitov, P. Starinnykh russkikh utvarej, odezhd, oruzhija, ratnykh dospekhov i konskogo pribora, v azbuchnom porjadke raspolozhennoe. St. Petersburg, 1896, p. 33. (translation mine) | ||
| Acts of the Moscow State | Акты Московского государства (АМГ) / Akty Moskovskogo gosudarstva (AMG) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Aër, Veil | Воздух, Покровцы (Vozdukh, Pokrovtsy) | Αέρας (Aéras) | Liturgical Embroidery | Veils used to cover the chalice and diskos during the Rites | Wikipedia: Aër |
| Agnus Dei, Lamb of God | Се агнец (Se agnets) | Ἀμνὸς τοῦ Θεοῦ (Amnós toú Theoú) | Iconography | An image depicting Christ as a lamb, as a symbol of His sacrifice as the savior of mankind. | Wikipedia: Lamb of God |
| Alternating Couching Stitches | Двойной сложный шов (Dvojnoj slozhnij shov) | Embroidery Stitch | A laid-and-couched stitch used almost solely in the workshop of Elena Voloshanka, wife of Ivan III, in the late 15th century. To make a double complex seam, first long stitches of non-twisted silk are laid down vertically. A long horizontal stitch of twisted silk yarn is laid over them, and then the horizontal stitch is couched down with small couching stitches in staggered order between the split lower yarns. | Russian embroidery page with images | |
| Anastasis (Harrowing of Hell), the | Сошествие Христа в ад (Soshestvie Khrista v ad) | Κατελθόντα εἰς τὰ κατώτατα (Katelthónta eis tá katótata) | Iconography | A depiction of the Resurrection, as Christ ascends triumphantly, breaking the gates of Hell and bringing salvation to the damned. Commonly, He is shown bringing Adam and Eve with him, representing all of the saved. | Wikipedia: Harrowing of Hell |
| Annunciation [to the Blessed Lady], the | Благовещение [Пресвятой Богородицы] (Blagoveschenie [Presvjatoj Bogoroditsy]) | Ευαγγελισμός της θεοτόκου (Evangelismós tis theotókou) | Iconography | The church holiday celebrating when the Archangel Gabriel informed the Blessed Virgin Mary that she would give birth to the son of God (or, a depiction of the event itself). | Wikipedia: Annunciation |
| Archaeological Commission Report | Отчет Археологической комиссии (ОАК) / Otchet Arkheologicheskoj komissii (OAK) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Archaeology of the Urals | Вопросы археологии Урала (ВАУ) / Voprosy arkheologii Urala (VAU) | Journal and Abbrevation | |||
| Archeological Collection of the State Hermitage | Археологический сборник Государственного Эрмитажа (АСГЭ) / Arkheologicheskij sbornik Gosudarstvennogo Ermitazha (ASGE) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Ascension, the | Вознесение (Voznesenie) | Ανάληψη (Analipsi) | Iconography | Holiday commemorating when the Resurrected Christ departed Earth and returned to Heaven, celebrated 40 days after Easter, or an iconographic image depicting this event. | Wikipedia: Ascension |
| Baptism, the | Креще́ние (Kreschenie) | βάπτισμα (Baptsima) | Iconography | Holiday commemorating the start of Christ's ministry, when he was baptised by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. | Wikipedia: The Baptism |
| Barmy | Бармы / Barmy | Medieval Clothing | A wide, circular, ornate collar, worn over clothing, typically elaborately decorated with embroidery, pearls and/or precious stones. Evolved from the Byzantine lorum. Part of princely/royal regalia in medieval Rus'. | https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Бармы | |
| Basil of Caesarea, St. | Василий Великий (Vasilij Velikij) | Βασίλειος Καισαρείας (Vasíleios Kaisareías) | Holy Figure | 4th-century Bishop of Caesarea and influential theologian, who famously cared for the poor and was an advocate of the Nicene creed. | Wikipedia: Basil of Caesarea |
| Bast awl | кочедык / kochedyk | Tool (used in making items from bast, e.g., bast shoes) | |||
| Bog shoes | поршни / porshni | Type of Footwear | |||
| Brief Reports of the Institute of Archaeology | Краткие сообщения Института археологии (КСИА) / Kratkie soobschenija Instituta arkheologii (KSIA) | Journal and Abbreviation | [online archive] | ||
| Brief reports of the Institute of the History of Material Culture | Краткие сообщения Института истории материальной культуры (КСИИМК) / Kratkie soobschenija Instituta istorii material'noj kul'tury (KSIIMK) | Journal and Abbreviation | [online archive] | ||
| Bulletin of Ancient History | Вестник древней истории (ВДИ) / Vestnik drevnej istorii (VDI) | Journal and Abbreviation | [online archive] | ||
| Bulletin of the USSR Academy of Sciences | Известия Академии наук СССР (ИАН СССР) / Izvestija Akademii nauk SSSR (IAN SSSR) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Butt seam | тачный шов / tachnyj shov | Leather stitch | |||
| Cape / Cloak | Плащ / Plasch | Medieval Clothing | |||
| Central State Archive of Ancient Acts of the USSR | Центральный государственный архив древних актов СССР. (ЦГАДА) / Tsentral'nyj gosudarstvennyj arkhiv drevnikh aktov SSSR (TsGADA) | Scholarly Institution and Abbreviation | |||
| Checkerboard stitch | Шов «в шашку» / Shov "v shashku" | Embroidery Stitch | |||
| Christ Pantocrator | Спас Вседержи́тель (Spas Vsederzhitel') | Χριστὸς Παντοκράτωρ (Khristos Pantokrator) | Iconography | A common icon image depicting Christ as the "ruler of all", with his right hand raised in a blessing and his left hand holding a copy of the Gospels. | Wikipedia: Christ Pantocrator |
| Collar (flat) | Оплечье / Oplech'e | Medieval Clothing | A flat circular collar around the neckline of a shirt or tunic. See also, barmy | ||
| Collection of State Charters and Treaties | Собрание государственных грамот и договоров (СГГД) / Sobranie gosudarstvennykh gramot i dogovorov (SGGD) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Complete Collection of Russian Chronicles, the | Полное собрание русских летописей [ПСРЛ] (Polnoe sobranie russkikh letopisej [PSRL]) | Journal and Abbreviation | A series of published volumes of medieval Russian and Slavic chronicles. The project was started in 1837 and continues to this day. Commonly abbreviated as "PSRL" in Russian bibliographic entries. | Wikipedia: Complete Collection of Russian Chronicles | |
| Couching goldwork (over or underside couching) | Шов «на прокол» (Shov "na prokol") | Embroidery Stitch | A goldwork embroidery stitch where gold threads are placed atop the fabric ground, and are affixed to the fabric using silk stitches, often in patterns. | ||
| Couching stitch | Шов «в прикреп» (Shov "na prikrep") | Embroidery Stitch | An embroidery stitch where threads are placed atop the fabric ground, and are affixed to the fabric using couching stitches. | Russian embroidery site | |
| Crucifixion, the | Распятие [Иисуса Христа] (Raspjatie [Iisusa Khrista]) | Σταύρωση [του Ιησού Χριστού] (Stávrosi [tou Iisoú Christoú]) | Iconography | A depiction of the crucifixion of Christ, showing him on the cross, usually with attendants on either side: often the Virgin Mary, the Apostles, and sometimes Cherubs or Seraphim. | Wikipedia: The Crucifixion |
| Dormition [of the Virgin], the | Успение [Пресвятой Богородицы] (Uspenie [Presvjatoj Boroditsy]) | Κοίμησις Θεοτόκου (Koímēsis Theotokou) | Iconography | A common icon image depicting the "falling asleep" or death of the Virgin Mary before her resurrection and assumption into Heaven. | Wikipedia: The Dormition |
| Ecclesiastic Embroidery | «Лицевое» шитье (Litsevoe shit'jo) | Terminology | The Russian term litsevoe literally refers to the use of embroidery to depict the faces, hands, and feet (the uncovered parts) of figures on liturgical embroidered items. As a general term, it is also used to refer to ecclesiastical embroidery in general, so I have chosen to translate it as such. | Russian WIkipedia: Medieval Liturgical Embroidery | |
| Embroidered chest applique | вошва / voshva | Embroidery / Clothing term | |||
| Embroidered chest piece | воротник-карэ / vorotnik-kare | Clothing term | |||
| Embroidering following the shape of the design | Шов «по форме» (Shov "po forme") | Terminology | An embroidery style where the stitches follow the shape or outline of the design being filled. | ||
| Enthroned Virgin and Child, the | Похвала Пресвято́й Богоро́дицы (Pokhvala Presvjatoj Boroditsy) | Ακάθιστος της Θεοτόκος (Akáthistos tis Theotókos) | Iconography | A common icon image showing the Virgin seated upon a throne, holding the infant Christ in her lap. Saints and angels typically surround her. | Wikipedia: Akathist to the Theotokos |
| Entombment of Christ, the | Положение во гроб ( Polozhenie vo grob ) | Iconography | A common icon image showing the body of Christ being placed in his tomb by Mary and his disciples. | Wikipedia: Burial of Jesus | |
| Epancha | Епанча / Epancha plural: epanchi | Medieval Clothing | A wide, round, sleeveless cloak with a hood. The word comes from Turkish yapyndzha, and the garment was borrowed from the Arabian East. | https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Епанча | |
| Epigonation | Набедренник / Палица (nabedrennik / palitsa) | ἐπιγονάτιον (epigonation) | Liturgical Embroidery | A lozenge or diamond shaped embroidered item worn by bishops and some priests in the Orthodox church. The item is hung from the belt on the right side and hangs about knee height. | Wikipedia: Epigonation |
| Epimanikia | Поручи (poruchi) | ἐπιμανίκια (Epimanikia) | Liturgical Embroidery | A pair of embroidered liturgical cuffs, worn on the wrist by a bishop, priest or deacon, attached to the end of the sleeve of their sticharion. | Wikipedia: Epimanikia |
| Epitaphios, Shroud | Плащаница (plaschanitsa) | Ἐπιτάφιος (epitáphios) | Liturgical Embroidery | A large cloth embroidered with the image of the body of Christ immediately after it has been removed from the Cross, typically surrounded by the Holy Virgin and other figures. It is placed on the Holy Table (altar) during services on Good Friday and Holy Saturday. | Wikipedia: Epitaphios |
| Epitrachelion, Stole | Епитрахиль (epitrakhil') | ἐπιτραχήλιον (epitrachelion) | Liturgical Embroidery | A long liturgical vestment similar to a stole, worn around the neck and down the front by Orthodox priests and bishops. | Wikipedia: Epitrachelion |
| Eucharist, Lord's Supper | Евхаристия (Evkharistija) | Ευχαριστία (Efcharistia) | Iconography | An image depicting the Communion given during the Last Supper, or the modern rite of Communion performed during the rite. | Wikipedia: Eucharist |
| Flabellum | Рипида (Ripida) | Terminology | A decorated liturgical fan used during Church services, originally to keep flies off the host, and later as a symbol of honor. | Wikipedia: Flabellum | |
| Flat-felled seam | запошивочный шов / zaposhivochnyj shov | Sewing stitch | |||
| Gimp | Сканная нить / Skannaja nit' | Terminology | Gold wire twisted or braided together with gold thread. | ||
| Gimp, Purl | Канитель (Kanitel') | Terminology | Metallic cord used in goldwork embroidery. | Berlin Embroidery: Gimp | |
| Gonfalon | Xоругвь (khorugv') | Liturgical Embroidery | A banner displayed in the Eastern Orthodox church or during religious processions. | Wikipedia: Khorugv | |
| Hair cap | волосник / volosnik | Clothing term | |||
| Head band | очелье / ochel'e | Clothing term | |||
| Herbalist | Травщики / Travschiki | Terminology | The artisan who would draw the landscape, trees, etc. on an icon | Dictionary of Iconographic Terminology | |
| Herringbone stitch | Шов «по ёлочку» / Shov "po jolochku" | Embroidery Stitch | |||
| Hidden seam | выворотный шов / vyvorotnyj shov | Leather stitch | |||
| Historical Acts | Акты исторические (АИ) / Akty istoricheskie (AI) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| History of the Culture of Medieval Rus', The | История культуры древней Руси (ИКДР) / Istorija kul'tury drevnej Rusi (IKDR) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| I.E. Grabar' State Central Art Restoration Workshops, Moscow. | Гос. Центральные художественно-реставрационные мастерские им. акад. И. Э. Грабаря (ГЦХРМ) / Gos. Tsentral'nye khudozhestvenno-restavratsionnye masterskie im. akad. I.E. Grabarja (GTsKhRM) | Scholarly Institution and Abbreviation | |||
| Imitation Molds | Имитационные формочки | Casting Terminology | These are also called "Kievan" type molds. The term refers to molds which were carved in limestone or similar material, composed of multiple parts, and used to cast complex, hollow decorations. The term was coined by B.A. Rybakov. See explanation in Korzukhina, G.F. "Kievskie Juveliry Nakanune Mongol'skogo Zavoevanija." Sovetskaja Arkheologija, 14 (1950), pp. 218, 221. | ||
| Imperial Moscow Archeological Society | Императорское Московское археологическое общество (ИМАО) / Imperatorskoe Moskovskoe arkheologicheskoe obschestvo (IMAO) | Scholarly Institution and Abbreviation | |||
| Imperial Russian Archeological Society | Императорское русское археологическое общество (ИАО) / Imperatorskoe russkoe arkheologicheskoe obschestvo (IAO) | Scholarly Institution and Abbreviation | |||
| Institute for the History of Material Culture of the USSR Academy of Sciences | Институт истории материальной культуры Академии наук СССР (ИИМК) / Institut istorii material'noj kul'tury Akademii nauk SSSR | Scholarly institute and Abbreviation | |||
| John Chrysostom, St. | Иоанн Златоуст (Ioann Zlatoust) | Ἰωάννης ὁ Χρυσόστομος (Ioánnis o Chrysóstomos) | Holy Figure | 4th century archbishop of Constantinople, famous for his public speaking and preaching. Chrysostom is Greek for "golden-mouthed", refering to eloquence. | Wikipedia: John Chrysostom |
| John the Baptist, John the Forerunner | Иоанн Крести́тель, Иоанн Предте́ча (Ioann Krestitel', Ioann Predtecha) | Ιωάννης ο Βαπτιστής (Ioannis o Baptistes) | Holy Figure | The New Testament Prophet believed to have Baptized Christ. | Wikipedia: John the Baptist |
| Journal of the Ministry of Public Education | Журнал Министерства народного просвещения (ЖМНП) / Zhurnal Ministerstva narodnogo prosveschenija (ZhMNP) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Kievan-Type Molds | Формочки «киевского» типа | Casting Terminology | See "Imitation" Molds. | ||
| Ktetor | Ктитор (ktitor) | Kτήτωρ (ktetor) | Terminology | A title bestowed on a benefactor who paid for the building, renovation, or decoration of a church. | Wikipedia: Ktetor |
| Landscape | Позем (Pozem) | Terminology | Literally translated as "weed", pozem in iconographic studies denotes the landscape in an icon - the trees, mountains, etc. in the background of the image. | Dictionary of Iconographic Terminology | |
| Leningrad Department of the Institute of Archaeology of the USSR Academy of Sciences | Ленинградское отделение Института археологии Академии наук СССР (ЛОИА) / Leningradskoe otdelenie Instituta arkheologii Akademii nauk SSSR | Scholarly institute and Abbreviation | |||
| Letnik | Летник / Letnik plural: letniki | Medieval Clothing | A wide overdress worn by women, buttoned from throat to the floor, with wide, bell-like sleeves (called nakapkami. | https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Летник_(одежда) | |
| Lordship | Владыка / Vladyka | Terminology | A title claimed by some bishops in medieval Rus'. | ||
| M.E. Saltykov-Schedrin State Public Library, Leningrad/St. Petersburg | Гос. Публичная библиотека им. М.Е. Салтыкова-Щедрина. Ленинград. (ГПБ) / Gosudarstvennaja Publichnaja biblioteka im. M.E. Saltykova-Schedrina. Leningrad | Scholarly Institution and Abbreviation | |||
| Mandylion / Image of Edessa | Спас Нерукотворный (Spas nerukotvornyj) | Αχειροποίητος (Acheiropoíitos) | Iconography | An image depicting a square or rectangle of cloth, upon which the face of Jesus miraculously appeared. | Wikipedia: Image of Edessa |
| Mantle | Мантия / Mantia | Medieval Clothing | A large formal cloak worn by royalty, the clergy, or specific professions (judges, academics) | ||
| Mantle | ожерелье-оплечье / ozherel'e-oplech'e | Clothing term | |||
| Master Icon Painter | Знаменщик / Znamenschik | Terminology | The master icon painter or lead artisan in an icon workshop. | Dictionary of Iconographic Terminology | |
| Materials and Research on the Archeology of the USSR | Материалы и исследования по археологии СССР (МИА) / Materialy i issledovanija po arkheologii SSSR (MIA) | Journal and Abbreviation | Page with list of issues and links to electronic copies. | ||
| Materials on Russian Archaeological Research | Материалы по археологии России (МАР) / Materialy po arkheologii Rossii (MAR) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Materials on the Archeology of the Eastern Provinces of Russia | Материалы по археологии восточных губерний России (МАВГР) / Materialy po arkheologii vostochnykh gubernij Rossii (MAVGR) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Medieval Rus' (Russia) / Medieval Russian | Древняя Русь / древнерусский (Drevnjaja Rus' / drevnerusskij) | Terminology | The Russian term (literally "ancient Russia") is commonly used to refer to the lands of Russia starting from the founding of the Kievan Rus' empire in the 9th century through the medieval period and the 17th century. I choose to translate this as "medieval" rather than "ancient" Russia, as "ancient" typically is used in English to refer to the pre-medieval age. | Wikipedia: Kievan Rus' | |
| Moscow Archaeological Society | Московское археологическое общество (МАО) / Moskovskoe arkheologicheskoe obschestvo (MAO) | Scholarly institute and Abbreviation | |||
| Moscow State University | Московский государственный университет (МГУ) / Moskovskij gosudarstvennyj universitet (MGU) | Scholarly institute and Abbreviation | |||
| Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography | Музей антропологии и этнографии (МАЭ) / Muzej antropologii i etnografii (MAE) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| News of the Archaeological Commission | Известия Археологической комиссии (ИАК)/ Izvestija Arkheologichskoj komissii (IAK) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Nicetus the Goth, St. | Ники́та Го́тский (Nikita Gotskij) | Νικήτας ὁ Γότθος (Nikítas o Gótthos) | Holy Figure | 4th century Christian martyr who worked to convert the Goths. | Wikipedia: Nicetas the Goth |
| Okhaben' | Охабень / Okhaben' plural: Okahbni | Medieval Clothing | A long-skirted coat worn in the 15th and 16th centuries | https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/Охабень | |
| Opashen' | Опашень / Opashen' plural: opashni | Medieval Clothing | A long-skirted coat with short, wide sleeves, typically worn in the summer. The word is derived from распахнуть, meaning "to fly open." See also, Okhaben'. | https://ru.wikipedia.org/wiki/опашень | |
| Orarion | Орарь (orar') | ὀράριον (orarion) | Liturgical Embroidery | A long liturgical vestment worn over the left shoulder by Orthodox deacons. | Wikipedia: Orarion |
| Our Lady of the Sign | Богоматерь знамение (Bogomater' znamenie) | Παναγία (Panagia) | Iconography | A particular image of the Virgin Mary, showing her facing front in either full or half length. Her arms are raised in the Orans position. The child Christ appears in a round halo upon her chest. | Wikipedia: Panagia |
| Pall | Покров (pokrov) | Liturgical Embroidery | A large embroidered cloth used to cover the coffin during funerary rites. | Wikipedia: Pall | |
| Passing goldwork | Шов «на проём» (Shov "na projom") | Embroidery Stitch | A goldwork embroidery stitch where passing gold is stitched through the fabric, much like a stem stitch with metallic thread. | ||
| Passing thread | Волоченная нить / Volochennaja nit' | Terminology | Thin, smooth gold wire in the form of a hair, which can be easily passed through fabric. | ||
| Peasant shirt | косоворотка / kosovorotka | Clothing term | A commonly-seen form of peasant shirt, also known in English as a "Dr. Zhivago shirt" or "Tolstoy shirt" | ||
| Pendant | дровница / drobnitsa | Jewelry term | |||
| Pentecost | Пятидеся́тница / День Святой Тро́ицы (Pjatidesjatnitsa / Den' Svjatoj Troitsy) | Πεντηκοστή (Pentēkostē) | Iconography | The holiday celebrating the visitation of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, granting them the ability to speak in the various tongues of man in order that they could spread the Gospel, and representing the birth of the early Church. | Wikipedia: Pentecost |
| Phelonion | Фелонь (felon') | Φαιλόνιον (Failonion) | Liturgical Embroidery | A cloak-like liturgical vestment worn by Orthodox priests over their other vestments. It is similar to the chasuble worn in the Western church. | Wikipedia: Phelonion |
| Plate | Бить (Bit') | Terminology | Flattened narrow metallic threads | Berlin Embroidery: Plate | |
| Podea (plural: Podeai) | Пелена [подвесная] (pelena [podvesnaja]) | ποδέα (podea) | Liturgical Embroidery | An embroidered cloth which is used to decorate a revered icon. Often these are hung below the icon, and either duplicate or compliment the image on its painted counterpart. | Wikipedia: Podea |
| Presentation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, or The Entry of the Most Holy Theotokos into the Temple | Введение во храм (Vvedenie vo khram) | Εἴσοδος τῆς ῾Υπεραγίας Θεοτόκου ἐν τῷ Ναῷ (Eisodos tis 'Yperagias Theotokou en To Nao) | Iconography | A feast day and common icon theme depicting Mary's parents presenting their infant daughter in the temple, consecrating her to God. | Wikipedia: Presentation of Mary |
| Privoloka | Приволока / Privoloka | Medieval Clothing | A large formal cloak, without sleeves. See also, Mantle. The word in Russian implies that this is a cloak long enough to reach or "drag" on the ground. | ||
| Proceedings of the Department of Old Russian Literature of the Institute of Russian Literature of the USSR Academy of Sciences | Труды Отдела древнерусское литературы Института русской литературы Академии наук СССР (ТОДРЛ) / Trudy Otdela drevnerusskoj literatury Instituta russkoj literatury Akademii nauk SSSR (TODRL) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Proceedings of the Russian Archaeological Society | Записки Русского археологического общества (ЗРАО) / Zapiski Russkogo arkheologicheskogo obschestva (ZRAO) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Proskynetarion | Проскинетарион (proskinetarion) | Προσκυνητάριον (proskynetarion) | Terminology | A monumental icon of Christ, the Virgin, or a patron saint located in an Orthodox church. | Wikipedia: Proskynetarion |
| Readings in the Society of Russian History and Antiquities at Moscow University | Чтения в Обществе истории и древностей Российских при Московском университете (ЧОИДР) / Chtenija v Obschestve istorii i drevnostej Rossijskikh pri Moskovskom universitete (ChOIDR) | Journal and Abbreviation | |||
| Rubakha, shirt | Рубаха / Rubakha plural: rubakhi | Medieval Clothing | A russian shirt, typically with long sleeves and long enough to be belted. | https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/рубаха | |
| Russian Archeology | Российская археология (РА)/Rossijskaja arkheologija | Journal and Abbreviation | [online archive] | ||
| Russian Association of Research Institutes for Social Sciences (RANION) | Российская ассоциация научно-исследовательских институтов общественных наук (РАНИОН)/Rossijskaja assotsiatsija nauchno-issledovatel'skikh institutov obschestvennykh nauk | Scholarly institute and Abbreviation | |||
| Russian Historical Society | Русское историческое общество (РИО) / Russkoe istoricheskoe obschestvo (RIO) | Scholarly institute and Abbreviation | |||
| Samite, Cloth of Gold | Парча (Parcha | Terminology | A brocade fabric with interwoven metallic threads. | Wikipedia: Samite | |
| Satin | Атлас (Atlas | Terminology | A silk fabric with a shiny surface, achieved through a special weaving method. | Wikipedia: Satin | |
| Shuba / Overcoat | Шуба / shuba plural: shuby | Medieval Clothing | A large fancy overcoat (often, specifically, a fur coat). Borrowed from Middle High German schūbe, from Italian giubba, from Arabic جُبَّة (jubba, “long garment”). | https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/шуба | |
| Sleeve Cuff | зарукавье / zarukav'e | Clothing term | |||
| Sleeve Cuff | обшлаги рукава / obshlagi rukava | Clothing term | |||
| Sleeve Cuff | опьястье / op'jast'e | Clothing term | |||
| Society for the Lovers of Ancient Writing | Общество любителей древней письменности (ОЛДП)/Obschestvo ljubitelej drevnej pis'mennosti | Scholarly institute and Abbreviation | |||
| Sorochka | Сорочка / Sorochka plural: sorochki | Medieval Clothing | See Rubakha. | ||
| Soviet Archeology | Советская археология (СА)/Sovietskaja arkheologija (SA) | Journal and Abbreviation | [online archive] | ||
| Split stitch | Шов «в раскол» (Shov "v raskol") | Embroidery Stitch | An embroidery stitch where each stitch pierces through the middle of the previous stitch. | ||
| Spun or Wrapped Threads | Пряденые нити (Prjadenye niti) | Terminology | Metallic threads of various types, with thin wire or strips of foil twisted onto a silk, linen or cotton core | Berlin Embroidery: Japan Thread | |
| Standing collar | стоечка / stoechka | Clothing term | |||
| Standing collar | стоячий воротник / stojachij vorotnik | Clothing term | |||
| State Academy on the History of Material Culture | Государственная академия истории материальной культуры (ГАИМК) / Gosudarstvennaja akademija istorii material'noj kul'tury (GAIMK) | Scholarly Institution and Abbreviation | |||
| State Historical Museum, Moscow | Гос. Исторический Музей (ГИМ) / Gos. Istoricheskij Muzej (GIM) | Museum and Abbreviation | |||
| State Russian Museum (Leningrad/St. Petersburg) | Гос. Русский Музей (ГРМ) / Gos. Russkij Muzej (GRM) | Museum and Abbreviation | |||
| State Tretyakovskaya Gallery, Moscow | Гос. Третьяковская галерея (ГТГ) / Gos. Tret'jakovskaja galereja (GTG) | Museum and Abbreviation | |||
| Stem stitch | Атласный шов / (Atlasnyj shov) | Embroidery Stitch | |||
| Sticharion | Стихарь (stikhar') | στιχάριον (sticharion) | Liturgical Embroidery | A liturgical vestment of the Orthodox church, equivalent to an alb and similar to a dalmatic. | Wikipedia: Sticharion |
| Veil | убрус / ubrus or убрусь / ubrus' | Clothing term | |||
| Veil | сарпанок / sarpanok | Clothing term | |||
| Wimple | плат / plat | Clothing term | |||
| Worn without fastening, "swinging" | распашной / raspashnoj | Clothing term | Adj. used to describe an open jacket or coat |