www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall Why Patriarch Svyatoslav vests in such diminuative fashion

I have just seen the images from the National Prayer Breakfast, attened by both Patriarchs Philaret and Svyatoslav.

As usual, His Beatitude Svyatoslav is vested pretty much as simply as possible - cassock, epitrachelion, pangea, and skoufia - whereas Patriarch Philaret is in vested more fully according to the dignity of his office.

Does anyone here know why Patriarch Svyatoslav so seldom wears the full vesture of his office? Kyr Venedykt of Lviv seems to be one of the only Ukrainian Greek Catholic bishops to unabashedly wear the full complement of vestments.

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I was wondering that myself. What patriarch Filaret is wearing is what presiding bishops wear. If he were attending a service and not serving, he would wear the mantiya only. Patriarch Sviatoslav is wearing what priests should be wearing in this instance. However, I do not have an answer to your question, father.

That photo is not from the prayer breakfast, but from an outdoor moleben that--as far as I can tell from other pictures--took place in front of a statue of Shevchenko. From photos of the actual breakfast, it appears both hierarchs wore cassock, riassa, panagia and headgear of some sort (koukoul or skufia). Mantya, epitrachil and omofor would NOT be worn to such an event!

I have watched a number of divine services online with Vladyka Sviatoslav. In each of them, he was vested appropriately. When not fully vested--say, for Vespers--he will wear a black mantya (like his predecessor) and a white klobuk in addition to epitrachil and omofor.

Fr. David

Sorry, Chtec. I was referring to the whole combination of photos that were posted on RISU chronicling the event in Washington. Indoors or outdoors, Moleben or mingling, Vladyka Svyatoslav looks more humbly vested than his Orthodox counterpart.

I agree with you, insofar as I have seen him vested the way you describe, but his choices seem inconsistent.

When he came to the UK 2 1/2 years ago, I don't think I saw him in anything but a suit, except when he celebrated the Divine Liturgy in Dublin.

To be clear, though: I do not want this to sound critical; I am just wondering if there is a reason for it. As far as I can tell, Patriarch Gregorios does not seem to 'dress down' for some events, and 'up' for others.

Dear Slavophile,

As a Ukrainian Catholic Hierarch, this is what they do or else perhaps he is emulating Pope Francis whom he knew very well in Argentina?

Ukrainian Catholic priests and bishops tend to be funny that way. Go up to one and ask him to bless you, some of them will give you the blessing but then will refuse to allow you to kiss their hand. I got into a real wrestling match with my pastor the other day during the coffee hour . . . Having been trained in high school amateur wrestling for four years, I won, of course!

One thing that is to be admired about the Orthodox - they don't adapt to anyone and are completely convinced of the high culture and spirituality of their traditions - as they should be (and as we should be).

Alex

I know a Ukrainian Orthodox priest who almost broke my son's hand trying to prevent my son from kissing HIS hand!
That seemed odd, because there must be SOME people among the recent arrivals from Ukraine who know how to get an Orthodox priest's blessing.
At the same parish, a very devout Ukrainian lady attempted to get my blessing, but I had to decline; pointing out to her that Bishop Daniel was not 15 feet away and a priest shouldn't give a blessing with the bishop present. Again, a bit odd, since most people present seemed to just shake hands with the bishop.
The next time Bishop Daniel payed the parish a visit, the lady approached me in the hall, saying,"You can bless me now,Father. His Grace isn't here yet." Which I did.