Originally posted by Orthodox Catholic:
Dear Dave,
Would it not be true to say that the high-backs tend to be among the Russians and those Orthodox with close ties to the Russians? And that low-backs are Greek and those who prefer to be closer to the Greeks rather than to the Russians (i.e. Ukrainians 
)?
Alex Not necessarily.
Many monasteries on Mount Athos or of the Athonite tradition wear high back vestments. Greek clergy who are influenced by this Athonite tradition may wear high backs without any desire to be or act Russian.
A little story: I was once on a visit to a Greek monastery in the US with my church's previous pastor. When shown the vestment workshop, my priest was surprised that they were making high back phelonia, and asked why they, as Greeks, make and wear Russian style vestments. The monastery's chaplain said, "They're originally Greek, not Russian!"
Dave
