A (also , or ; or ) is an item of
clerical clothing, a cap, worn by
Eastern Orthodox
Eastern Orthodoxy, otherwise known as Eastern Orthodox Christianity or Byzantine Christianity, is one of the three main Branches of Christianity, branches of Chalcedonian Christianity, alongside Catholic Church, Catholicism and Protestantism ...
,
Eastern Lutheran and
Eastern Catholic monastics (in which case it is black) or awarded to
clergy as a mark of honor (in which case it is usually red or purple).
Description
A is a soft-sided brimless
cap whose top may be pointed (Russian style), flat and pleated (Greek style),
or flat with raised edges (Romanian style).
Typically, monastics receive their either when they first become a
novice or when they are
tonsure
Tonsure () is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the scalp as a sign of religious devotion or humility. The term originates from the Latin word ' (meaning "clipping" or "shearing") and referred to a specific practice in ...
d. 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
A seraph ( ; pl.: ) is a Angelic being, celestial or heavenly being originating in Ancient Judaism. The term plays a role in subsequent Judaism, Islam and Christianity.
Tradition places seraphim in the highest rank in Christian angelology and ...
.
High-ranking
bishop
A bishop is an ordained member of the clergy who is entrusted with a position of Episcopal polity, authority and oversight in a religious institution. In Christianity, bishops are normally responsible for the governance and administration of di ...
s (such as
archbishop
In Christian denominations, an archbishop is a bishop of higher rank or office. In most cases, such as the Catholic Church, there are many archbishops who either have jurisdiction over an ecclesiastical province in addition to their own archdi ...
s and
metropolitans) will sometimes wear a black or purple with a small jewelled
cross on informal occasions. A
nun will sometimes wear a over her monastic
veil;
long.protest.ap.jpp.jpg
while monks often wear the (without a veil) when the klobuk or epanokamelavkion might get in the way of work.
See also
* Apostolnik
* Biretta
* Kalimavkion
* Klobuk
* Koukoulion
* The Philippi Collection
* Taqiyah
* Zucchetto
Citations
General bibliography
*
External links
Monk wearing Russian-style skufia
Monks wearing Greek-style skufias
(JPEG)
Schemamonk in embroidered skufia
(JPEG)
{{Hats
Eastern Christian vestments
Hats