Clerical Clothing - Eastern Christianity

Eastern Christianity

See also Degrees of Eastern Orthodox monasticism

In Eastern Orthodoxy and Eastern Catholicism, a useful distinction between liturgical vestments and clerical clothing is that vestments are required to be blessed before being worn. Conversely, clerical clothing is not, and is regarded as daily wear.

• Inner Cassock: The inner cassock (more commonly, simply Cassock) is a floor length garment, usually black, worn by all clergy members, monastics, and seminarians.
• Outer Cassock: Called a Ryasa (Russian: ряса) or Exorason, the outer cassock is a large, flowing garment worn over the inner cassock by bishops, priests, deacons, and monastics.
• Skufia: A soft-sided cap worn by monastics or awarded to clergy as a mark of honor.
• Kamilavka: A stiff hat worn by monastics or awarded to clergy as a mark of honor.
• Apostolnik: A veil worn either by nuns, either alone or with a Skufia.
• Epanokamelavkion: A veil extending over the back, worn with the Kamilavka by all monastics and bishops.
• Klobuk: A Kamilavka with an Epanokamelavkion permanently attached; more common in the Russian tradition.