Skufia

Catholicos-Patriarch Ilia II of the Georgian Orthodox and Apostolic Church, wearing a Russian-style skufia with jewelled cross (Tbilisi, Republic of Georgia).
A priest wearing a Greek-style skufia.

A skufia (also skufiya or skoufos; Greek: σκούφια or σκούφος) is an item of clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian and Eastern Catholic monastics (in which case it is black)[1] or awarded to clergy as a mark of honor (in which case it is usually red or purple). It is a soft-sided brimless cap whose top may be pointed (Russian style)[2][3] flat and pleated (Greek style),[4] or flat with raised edges (Romanian style).[5] Typically, monastics receives their skufia either when they first become a novice or when they are tonsured.[6] A monk or nun who has been tonsured to the Great Schema will wear a skoufia that has been embroidered with prayers, crosses, and figures of seraphim.[7]

High-ranking bishops (such as Archbishops and Metropolitans) will sometimes wear a black or purple skufia with a small jewelled cross on informal occasions.[8] A nun will sometimes wear a skufia over her monastic veil;[9] while monks often wear the skufia (without a veil) when the klobuk or epanokamelavkion might get in the way of work.

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ "domain is for sale for $750,000 - inquire: admin@kosovo.com". Kosovo.com. Retrieved 2014-08-25.
  2. ↑ The Russian-style skufia is traditionally pulled down so that it covers the top of the ears. This is practical, to keep out the cold; but it also has a symbolic practice, reminding the monk not to listen to gossip.
  3. ↑
  4. ↑ http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/skufias/red.jpg
  5. ↑ http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/skufias/red2.jpg
  6. ↑ http://www.newsketemonks.com/images/monks/Ambr6.jpg
  7. ↑ http://www.sestry.ru/church/img/1115_
  8. ↑
  9. ↑

References

External links

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