www.byzcath.org Forums Faith & Christian Life Faith & Theology Eastern Orthodox Priests/Deacons and Roman Collars

This question is primarily for Eastern Orthodox Clergy.

Dear Fathers, do you wear shirts with the Roman color?

In the USA I have seen many priests in the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and Greek Orthodox Church wear the Roman Color. I have even seen some Russian Orthodox Priests wear it.

Is this a common practice?

How do you feel about it?

I have mixed feelings. From one side it seems very convenient, from another very Western.

What do you think?

Do you mean collar? Otherwise, we have white, red, green, purple, rose, black, and gold. I've seen Lutheran and Anglican clergy wear clergy shirts with the color of the season, but very few others.

BOB

At the very least, it keeps you from being mistaken for an Orthodox Jewish rabbi.

Heh I did mean the Roman collar forgive me my error.

I do not wear a Roman Collar. I dress in a black Orthodox-style cassock, either Russian or Greek. I generally wear an Orthodox Cross. I think it odd that Orthodox Clergy adopt the clerical suit and collar at a time when so few Western Clergy even wear them anymore. An Orthodox Clergyman should appear to be Orthodox, not impersonate Non-Orthodox Clergy.

Fr David Straut

FWIW, any shirt can be converted into a clerical tab collar shirt by sewing back the collar points, attaching that modified collar point to the shirt-front, and then inserting the white tab.

I know of a colleague who, in his younger, more rebellious days had his wife fashion a clerical front out of Hawiian shirts.

In the present crisis of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America the new rebellion for the orthodox/traditionalist clergy is to stash the colored shirts and wear only black. Black, historically, was used for clerical dress to show that the priest was in mourning for the sins of the world which led our Lord to bear the cross.

In recent years my only exception to wearing black has been to wear red on Pentecost and Reformation Sunday.

I agree with your sentiments, Father David.

"I do not wear a Roman Collar. I dress in a black Orthodox-style cassock, either Russian or Greek. I generally wear an Orthodox Cross. I think it odd that Orthodox Clergy adopt the clerical suit and collar at a time when so few Western Clergy even wear them anymore. An Orthodox Clergyman should appear to be Orthodox, not impersonate Non-Orthodox Clergy.

Fr David Straut"

I see your point Fr David and agree with you in theory, however I find that wearing a cassock is not always practical... Wouldn't a suit and collar be better than wearing regular civilian clothing?
Our Bishops not only do not mind us wearing the collar, but encourage it. So do many of the Antiochian and Greek Bishops.
In the end of the day it is not that cassock that makes us Orthodox, but our confession of faith...

Am I right?

I have also seen many Orthodox Priests wear an Orthodox 3 Bar Cross with the suit and collar.

While I certainly think that an Orthodox Priest should ALWAYS and I mean ALWAYS be in a cassock at Church or when visiting parishioners in the hospital or going to shut ins, I do think that the collar could be used in other times when not on official Church work.

That was what my priest (GOA) would do.

Having on several occasions driven while wearing a cassock, not only is my hat off to the ladies for mastering the art of driving in a long dress, but I also appreciate that there are times when a cassock is just inappropriate for reasons of safety and utility. Do not wear a cassock while driving. Do not wear a cassock while cooking. Do not wear a cassock while doing construction work, especially on a ladder. Do not wear a cassock on an airplane.

These are matters of common sense and consideration for others. The rest of the time, by all means wear your cassock, and your pectoral cross (people might think you're a Latin bishop, and it also keeps you from being mistaken for a Yeshiva Boy)--it's a way of showing the flag. Someone might be curious and ask you a question, thus opening the Doors of Mercy to yet another sinner.

A priest whom I greatly admire once told me that, in his opinion, priests should have "situational awareness" when it comes to their dress. At church and when on "official business", a cassock is de rigeur. Having dinner with the parish council at a local restaurant? A suit is fine. Going to the movies or walking around the mall with your kids? Jeans or khakis and a polo shirt is the way to go. Mowing the lawn? Wear shorts and a t-shirt!

Of course, I believe most clergy would agree that they should not judge each other according to how they dress. If one priest prefers to wear a cassock all the time and another is rarely seen in one, they are both brothers. I once went on Project Mexico and there were two priests on our team. At the work site, one wore a cassock and the other wore jeans and a t-shirt. I didn't sense any animosity or judgment based on this.

Dave

Just because it's so good, let me refer you to Fr. James's How Orthodox is your priest?

http://saintjameskids.blogspot.com/2009/05/how-orthodox-is-your-priest.html

I'd say dress as is appropriate to the circumstances. I'd prefer to see Eastern clergy dress as Eastern clergy. But, to be blunt, if it is the middle of August with temps pushing 100 and I drive past the priest's house and see him cutting his grass in a cassock rather than in a t-shirt and shorts I'm going to wonder about him.