The cassock is an everyday garment of monasticism and clergy

The garments, which in everyday life are called to distinguish the servants of the churches from the laity, once in ancient times, they themselves came from clothing worn in the world. But rather soon they acquired characteristic features, so that the clergy and monasticism would outwardly differ from other people. Over the centuries, the dressing of these vestments has not changed much. Today, cassocks are the clothes of a priest, a representative of the Church, "a kingdom not of this world." And it fully corresponds to this concept.

Cassock and cassock

These are the two main objects of monastic vestments and the clergy of all possible degrees.

Cassock - lower vestments. It is long, to the heels, with narrow sleeves and a blind collar. The monks should be present, executed in black. White clergy can vary: black, brown, dark blue, gray and even - white (summer). Materials for making a traditional cassock are also allowed different: cloth and wool, linen and satin, chicory and silk.

The cassock is the uppermost vesture. Sleeves long - below the palms. The clothes themselves are up to the toes. Color - as a rule, black. But other shades may be allowed: dark blue and brown, gray and cream, white. Materials for manufacturing are used the same as for cassocks. Often used and lining.

The priest's robe can sometimes be used for everyday use and comfort, like a winter coat or a demi-season coat. Then it is made on a warm lining and can be trimmed with a collar (with fur or black velvet).

During the service

As a rule, all types of worship (except liturgy) are also held by a priest in cassock and cassock. On top of everyday wear are worn special attire - the vestments. At the liturgy, the confessor should be clothed in a cassock, on top of which is a podriznik and a garment. And the deacons serve in the verse, putting them on top of the cassock. The bishop also serves in the cassock, on which are worn bishop's robe. Some prayers are permissible, according to the statute, to serve in an epitrachil worn over a robe or mantle. Thus, although cassock is more a casual vesture, it is also an obligatory basis for divine attire.

A bit of history

In the world and in the eastern and western peoples, long-sleeved clothes with rather narrow (or wide - as an option) sleeves were ubiquitous. Thus, in the time of the earthly path of Christ (which, according to many researchers, he himself was wearing this one) in Judea, it was worn by ordinary people. In many Eastern peoples, even today this dress is considered national and visually resembles a monastic robe. And for the Orthodox believers, the priest's robe is a symbol of the garment of Christ.

Origin of the word

The word "cassock" comes from the Greek adjective "Rason", which means "processed, devoid of pile, wiped, shabby." According to legend, it was these clothes that were supposed to be worn by monks. From among the monastics the vestments also entered into the usage of the clergy in general.

Symbol of faith

The priest's crochet is a symbol of spirit and faith, a visual testimony of detachment from worldly vanity. For any believer, peace and peace in the heart, spiritual stay with God is the main goal and task. But for the clergy and monasticism in particular. And the outer garment of the priest brings this spiritual state in line, reminds of it and helps to achieve balance, being the prototype of that garment in which Christ himself was dressed.

It is worth emphasizing that the black color of monastic cassocks and cassocks is especially significant: in fact, this is the absence of the color itself, the brightness of the color spectrum, the symbol of this renunciation of the worldly bustle and the concentration on inner life and communication with the Lord.

Catholic cassock

It is slightly different from the Orthodox vestments. The Sutan (from the Latin word for "skirt, cassock") is clothing worn outside worship, with long sleeves and a length to the heel. She has a special stand-up collar, where an insert is drawn, called a crayon. The cassock's cassock, cassock, is fastened with buttons, their row. And its color is determined by the hierarchy of the rank of a particular priest. So, an ordinary servant, as a rule, has a black cassock. The bishops have purple, the cardinal has a scarlet color, and the pope has the whitest. In its form, the cassock is a little like the cassock of the Orthodox breed.