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TheAër (Ancient Greek:Ἀήρ,lit. 'air';Modern Greek:Αέρας;Slavonic:Воздýхъ,Vozdúkh) is the largest and outermost of theveils covering theChalice andDiskos (paten) in theEastern Orthodox Church and theEastern Catholic Churches which follow theByzantine Rite. It is rectangular in shape and corresponds to the veil used to cover the chalice and paten in theLatin liturgical rites, but is larger. It is often made of the same material and color as thevestments of the officiating priest, and often has a fringe going all the way around its edge. Tassels may also be sewn at each of the corners.
It takes its name either from the lightness of the material of which it is made, or from the fact that during theNicene Creed in theDivine Liturgy, the priest holds it high in the air and waves it slowly over the Chalice and Diskos. Its original use was to cover the Chalice and prevent anything from falling into it before theconsecration. It symbolizes theswaddling clothes with which Christ was wrapped at hisNativity, and also thegrave clothes in which he was wrapped at his burial (both themes are found in the text of theLiturgy of Preparation).
The Aër is first mentioned by name in an explanation of the Divine Liturgy by a writer of the sixth century, and is also alluded to as "the so-calledAër" in the Acts of theCouncil of Constantinople.
At theDivine Liturgy, during theLiturgy of Preparation, when the Aër is to be placed over the Gifts (the Bread and Wine for the Eucharist), it is first wrapped around thecenser and then laid over the Chalice and Diskos, so that the front edge of the Aër just touches the surface of the table. When not covering the Gifts, the Aër is folded (usually folded 3 x 3, so that when it is laid out flat the creases will form a cross). The Aër normally has a cross embroidered in its exact center,[1] so that when it is folded the cross is visible.
At theGreat Entrance, when the sacred vessels are brought in procession to theHoly Table (altar), the priest will place the Aër over the deacon's left shoulder[2] before he hands him the Diskos (the priest himself will carry the Chalice). For this reason, the Aër will often have ribbons sewn onto it, so it can be tied securely in place. If there is no deacon serving, the priest will place the Aër around his own shoulders like a cape, which will leave his hands free to take both the Diskos and the Chalice.
Just before the chanting of theSymbol of the Faith (Nicene Creed), the Priest will kiss the Diskos and Chalice (by kissing the Aër in the place where it touches each vessel) and the front edge of the Holy Table. During the Creed, the priest will hold the Aër above the Gifts and waive it slowly, indicating the activity of the Holy Spirit. When a bishop is serving the Liturgy, theconcelebrating priests will hold the Aër during the Creed as the bishop kneels (or bows his head) underneath it. After the Creed, the Aër is folded and placed on the Holy Table. In some practices, the priest will turn and bless the people with the Aër during theSursum corda.
FollowingCommunion, the Aër is placed, still folded, on the Diskos, together with theSpear,Spoon andAsterisk and little veils, and all are taken back to theProthesis by the deacon.
During a Liturgy of Presanctified Gifts, the priest or deacon wears the Aër on his left shoulder for the Great Entrance.
Whenever a bishop first arrives at a church or monastery, he will be greeted by the senior priest holding a tray covered by an Aër, on which is placed ablessing cross for him to kiss.
At theOrdination of a priest, when it is time for the Great Entrance, the Bishop will drape the Aër over the candidate's head and shoulders, and in this manner he will carry it in the procession. The candidate will not enter the Sanctuary with the rest of the clergy, but will remain standing at theHoly Doors. The Bishop will remove the Aër from his head and place it over the Gifts and cense them, after which the Ordination takes place.
DuringFeasts of the Cross a cross is laid on a tray covered by an Aër and decorated with basil leaves and flowers. This is carried by the priest from theProthesis to the Holy Table, where it will remain until theGreat Doxology near the end ofMatins. At that point the priest will take it in procession to the center of the church where all the faithful will come forward tovenerate the cross.
At the death of a priest or bishop, when his body isvested forburial, his face will be covered with an Aër to show his closeness to theSacred Mysteries.
In some of the monasteries on theHoly Mountain, when the Ecclesiarch (Sacristan) and Paraecclesiarch (his assistant)cense, each will wear an Aër on his left shoulder.
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This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Shipman, Andrew Jackson (1907). "Aër". In Herbermann, Charles (ed.).Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company.