Great and Angelic schema symbolizes the second baptism of the schemamonks and schemanuns. The analavos of the Great Schema monks are the signs of perfect monasticism, symbols not only of humble wisdom and gentleness, but also of the Cross, of suffering, of Christ’s wounds, of constant dying with Christ.
The analavos (ἀνάλαβος) is the distinctive garment of a monk or a nun tonsured into the highest grade of Orthodox monasticism, the Great Schema. It depicts the Cross adorned with the instruments of the Passion of Christ, and surrounded by abbreviations.
The base upon which the Great schema Cross stands represents "the place, which is called Calvary" (Luke 23:33), or "Golgotha, that is to say, the Place of the Skull" (Matthew 27:33), "where they crucified Him" (John 19:18) Who "wrought salvation in the midst of the earth" (Psalm 73:13).
The skull and crossbones represent "the first man Adam" (1 Corinthians 15:45), who according to tradition "return unto the ground" (Genesis 3:19) at the very spot of Jesus' crucifixion, the reason that this place of execution, "full of dead men’s bones" (St. Matthew 23:27) became the place where "the last Adam was made a quickening spirit" (1 Corinthians 15:45).
On either side of the Cross there are the spear and the sponge on the reed, the Arma Christi ("weapons of Christ"), or the Instruments of the Passion of the Lord.
Abbreviations surrounding the Cross
ΙΣ ΧΣ ΝΙΚΑ (Ιησούς Χριστός Νικά) — Jesus Christ Conquers, a common phrase written in iconographic images, reinforcing that Christ overcame death
ΞΖ (Ξύλον Ζωής) — the Tree of Life, another name for "the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Galatians 6:14)
ΦΧ ΦΠ (Φως Χριστού Φαίνει Πάσι) — The light of Christ illumines all
ΤΤ ΔΦ (Τετιμημένον Τρόπαιον Δαιμόνων Φρίκη) — An honored trophy, the dread of demons. "An honored trophy" is referring to the Cross, which has power over demons
ΤΚ ΠΓ (Τόπος Κρανίου Παράδεισος Γέγονεν) — The Place of the Skull has become Paradise. Golgotha (literally "the place of the skull") is now the place where Heaven and Earth met, and is now the place by which all have access to Paradise
ΑΔ (on either side of the skull) — the first two letters of Adam's name. The skull is that of Adam, the first man, who dies. Christ is the New Adam who replaced the old and brought life to all
