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Can anyone enlighten me according to the proper vestments for a subdeacon, with especial reference to Ukrainian Catholic usage?

I am having an orar, stichar, and black skufia specially made, but what is one to wear underneath? I have a very simple black cotton cassock (which looks Jesuitical, I must say!), but what would be the normal and appropriate underwear(!)? Does a subdeacon wear a riassa?

Adam, you should have a podriasnik (under-cassock with narrower sleeves) under the sticharion. The orarion is to be worn cross-wise across the shoulders and unlike the deacon is left in that position for the entire Liturgy or whatever service you are assisting at.

The riassa with wide sleeves is to be worn over the podriasnik when you are serving and the wearing of the sticharion and orarion is not specifically prescribed. For example, when I do not serve at the altar, which calls for being vested in sticharion and orarion, and I am cantoring or reading, etc., I wear the riassa over a podriasnik.

The vestment sets are virtually the same between subdeacon and deacon with the exception that the subdeacon does not wear the epimanikia (cuffs). Since I am preparing for the diaconate I went ahead and bought full diaconate vestment sets, and will (God willing) get the epimanikia blessed before my diaconal ordination. You'll find quickly that nice brocade vestment sets are not cheap.

The priest should bless your wearing of the sticharion and orarion before serving. I generally wear a black collarless short-sleeved shirt underneath the podriasnik since I am a rather large guy and in Midwest summers here it all gets pretty hot, with a podriasnik under brocade sticharion and orarion with metallic thread. In Canada in the winter, on the other hand, it's a different story.

You can e-mail me privately if you need some resources for riassa and podriasniki, diaconal vestments, etc. And don't wear those snap button-front Latin altar boy cassocks, please!

I would recommend a black velvet skufya, I have tried several and these seem to fit, feel and look the best. The skufyas with the quilted inner linings would be great for Canadian winters. Speaking of Canada we're hoping to be in Canada in September, God bless.
Subdeacon Randolph, a sinner

Dear Adam,

I would certainly hope that you do have underwear .

White is fine, but not always practical . . .

Alex

Assuming that we're all traditionalists, would a subdeacon be permitted to wear a riassa at other times as well, outside of the temple?

In Christ,

anastasios

CIX!

Dear Tasos,

Why should anyone NOT be a traditionalist?

The tonsure enables anyone from the rank of Reader upwards to wear the riassa at all times. Of course, strictly speaking, it also means cutting the hair and beard is forbidden...

Just my two cents!

in Domino,

Edward

As long as we are adding our $.02, let me say that while good brocade is certainly not inexpensive, it shouldn't be terribly expensive to have a set of nice vestments made. Deacon's vestments are a relatively simple garment to construct. If anyone you know regularly sews cloting, that person would certainly have the skills to turn out a nice set, given the appropriate material. I have been horrified by the prices that the commercial vestment folk charge.

Cheers,

Sharon

Sharon Mech, SFO
Cantor & sinner
sharon@cmhc.com

That leads me to another question. I have seen priests, deacons, and readers at various times wearing only a cassock outside the temple, and I have at other times seen priests and deacons (never a reader) wearing a riassa outside the temple. So when is it appropriate to just wear a cassock, and when the riassa, too? Or is it preference?

In Christ,

anastasios

Dear Tasos,

The pectoral cross on top of the riassa - that is reserved only to priests and upwards correct?

Where does the rank of Reader fit into the pre-deacon hierarchy of the Byzantine Church?

Why is the Reader a member of the clergy? But surely he could marry unless he became a Subdeacon, correct?

How is a Reader different from a Cantor?

Don't mean to overwhelm you, Tasos, but you are a Seminarian which means you are fair game for ignoramuses like me!

God bless, Tasos!

Alex

To my knowledge, the Russian emperor Nicholas gave pectoral crosses to all Russian priests so that they might be distinguished from deacons.

The Greek recension only allows Archpriests the pectoral cross.

I am not yet a seminarian--only 2 months away, though!

Readers are minor clergy--which is why they are not granted a riassa (but some do wear them). Edward, you said Readers were granted a riassa--is this correct?

In Christ,

anastasios

Dear Tasos,

Thank you very much - I have a copy of that particular pectoral Cross you mention that I wear under my clothes (so as not to confuse anyone ).

How many years is your program and what is the degree?

If we can be of any help to you, let us know and we'll all do what we can for our beloved Anastasios the Seminarian!!

Alex

Do Ukrainian Catholic Subdeacons normally wear a skufia? Since no mention of monsastic profession is made here I am presuming Adam is not a monastic.

Bob

[ 07-03-2002: Message edited by: Bob King ]

In Ukrainian Catholic usage the subdeacon wears:
- a cassock (and by this I mean the narrow sleeved pid-riassa)
- Stykhar
- Orar

Apparently, anyone who can wear a riassa can wear a skufia since it is a non-liturgical hat. Also, subdeacons (or maybe they were deacons posing as subdeacons) that served with Sergei Izvekov (the Sergianist Patriarch Poemen) wore skufias or kamilavkas, including cuffs. They were probably monks from (at that time) Zagorsk, so...

Also, accoring to some Russian sources, the riassa (the one with wide sleeves) is not automatic to everyone, and is a distinction given by the bishop. According to this practice, you could be an archpriest without the right to wear a wide sleeved riassa. The same goes for the kamilavka -- even for protodeacons (the purple kamilavka is extra) -- accoring to this odd source.

But then, why would you want to wear the wide sleeved riassa. It's a Turkish development.

While on the topic, according to the Sknyliv Typicon of Metropolitan Andrei, monks of the Great Schema are permitted to wear a pectoral cross, regardless of priestly ordination.

The Minor Orders are: candle bearer, reader, hypodeacon/subdeacon.

Daniil

CIX!

Dear Tasos,



Another distinction I remember here is that while ordinary rank and file priests wear the eight-point cross, only an archpriest or an archmandrite may wear a four-point cross - in the Russian Tradition at least.



Ah yes, the confusing terminology. I get so confused with riassa=exorasson and Podriasnik=Rasson. Or have I mixed them up again? I'll use Inner Cassock and Outer Cassock to make my life easier. I believe while all who are performing a liturgical function in church (including Chanters) should be wearing inner and outer cassocks, the wearing of the outer cassock is not proper to ranks below Subdeacon. It appears that the outer cassock functions rather like a surplice - as "choir dress", as the Latins would call it.



Yes, that's what I was given to believe, and that all who are reading or chanting may wear the outer cassock.

I trust I make myself obscure?

In Domino,

Edward

Good points, Daniil.

Generally in Ukrainian Catholic practice I am familiar with the riassa (wide-sleeved) is only worn in the temple by the subdeacon or when there is an outdoors liturgical service (procession, etc.) that does not require vesting in sticharion and orarion.

The riassa is generally not worn outside of the temple or services, but rather the podriasnik (under-cassock with narrower sleeves) is worn outside of the temple and services.

The particular law for the Ukrainian Catholic Church in the U.S.A. states that lectors (readers), subdeacons, deacons, and priests are to wear the riassa (with wide sleeves) over the cassock (podriasnik) during services whenever liturgical prescription does not specifically require the individual to be vested in sticharion and orarion (or epitrachil/phelon in case of priest).

Anyone ordained to minor orders, monastic or otherwise, may wear the skufya, but only a black one. Purple skufyas are reserved for archpriests/protodeacons.

Daniil, there are actually four minor orders: candle-bearer, cantor, reader, and subdeacon. In the Great Church (Hagia Sophia) there was also a minor order of doorkeeper which has since fallen into disuse.

Because it looks better! :-)

anastasios

They were deacons. As was explained to me by a knowledgeable subdeacon, it is common in Russia in cathedrals, monasteries, places with lots of deacons, to have two deacons wear their orar crossed the whole Liturgy and be in charge of the trikiri and dikiri.

A friend of mine had a video of Pascha from sometime in the early '90s from the Epiphany Cathedral in Moscow. He was telling me for a while how the "subdeacons walk through the Royal Doors." I was skeptical, so he brought the tape over and we watched it. Well, they did go through the Royal Doors. I paused the video. "Dude, they're wearing cuffs! They're DEACONS!" "Oooh."

Here's a riddle: When can a subdeacon walk through the Royal Doors?

Answer: When he's about to be ordained to the diaconate.

-David

Good Morning and Happy Fourth of July!

As a Subdeacon, my vestments are 1)cassock (riassa or black robe), which I wore when ordained, and the 2) sticharion and 3) orarion (both of which I was vested in by the Bishop immediately after he finished the prayer). Antiochian Orthodox subdeacons do not normally wear the exoriassa (or outer robe), although I have one (as a gift from my Pastor), I do not normally wear it. Never do I wear a cassock in public.

I am single but with permission to marry (oeconomia). In St. Stephen's, a Ukrainian Orthodox (USA) subdeacon (single) friend that I studied with was told by his Bishop that he was a celibate. He also would wear black more than I normally would.

I've just returned from Albania as short term missionary with the Albania Autocephalous Orthodox Church (truly Holy Spirit Blessed), and did not say that I was a subdeacon. The reason for this is that there, subdeacons are (I believe) normally ordained right before the diaconate and are either married or celibate. Deacons there look no different than a priest (including headgear). I also shaved (by the way), so as to look like an ordinary layman.

In Arabic, both deacon and subdeacon are called deacon. The difference, a subdeacon is deacon with a candle, and a (full) deacon is deacon with a book. Even though the canonical sexual implications for both are normally the same, the Eastern Church (unlike the Western) considers the subdiaconate a minor order (unlike the diaconate). But then again, there is no distinct funeral service for a deacon. He is vested, has a censor placed in his right hand, and buried as a ... layman.

My Albanian experience was a life changing one, and I shall never forget the openess (and warmth) of His Beatitude Anastasios, or the absolute friendliness of His Eminence, Met. John of Korca (American theologically educated at Holy Cross in Brookline). Going to Albania, we also met His Eminence Met. Daniel of Iassy (Romania), and he is a very, very impressive man. All three speak fluent English (by the way). The latter two are younger, and bode well fo the future of Balkan Orthodoxy. Axios to All!

Regarding the subdianconate, after reading this, you're probably more confused than ever. But it really is dependent upon the jurisdiction, bishop and pastor. Fr. Harakas has written that the preconciliar preparations of the 70s (the Council never happened)suggested allowing deacons to marry (to ensure a future clergy in these times of shortage). However, those instances of oeconomia (if they exist) are few and far between. More common is the practice of being flexible with the subdiaconate.

Christ Is Among Us!

Three Cents

CIX!


Surely it is but the Twenty-First of June?

Dear Three Cents,

I certainly would hope that you would wear your clerical garb as frequently as possible.

There's no one I'd sooner bow to in the streets!

Alex

Thanks to everyone for such informative and interesting responses! I didn't expect such an interest, but this has been both fascinating and helpful.

[QUOTE]Originally posted by Diak:
[QB]Adam, you should have a podriasnik (under-cassock with narrower sleeves) under the sticharion. The orarion is to be worn cross-wise across the shoulders and unlike the deacon is left in that position for the entire Liturgy or whatever service you are assisting at."

Okay. I have all that--or will, when Jaroslava finishes making it! She does some quite excellent work, I must say...

"The riassa with wide sleeves is to be worn over the podriasnik when you are serving and the wearing of the sticharion and orarion is not specifically prescribed. For example, when I do"

So the riassa is allowed, then: this seems to be the consensus.

If that is the case, then the only other thing thing to be cleared up is that of the cuffs. I have been told they are allowed for subdeacons, but also told by others they are reserved to the deacon/priest. Can anyone clarify?

"before my diaconal ordination. You'll find quickly that nice brocade vestment sets are not cheap."

No, siree! But my parish is footing the bill!
I am having everything made by this excellent woman in Fr. Roman Galadza's parish. It really is a labour of love for her, but the work is magnificent, and worth every penny.

"I would recommend a black velvet skufya, I have tried several and these seem to fit, feel and look the best. The skufyas with the quilted"

That's what I've ordered--but without the lining. Even in the dead of winter, it takes nothing for me to get hot so the fewer, and lighter, layers the better!

"winters. Speaking of Canada we're hoping to be in Canada in September,"

Where will you be, and for how long? As of September, I shall be a doctoral candidate at the Sheptytsky Institute in Ottawa, where I shall also be working. So if you are in the area, it would be great to meet.

To Edward:

Thanks for the Old Calendar reminder. Does that mean that I get the fireworks twice? (lol)
Actually, in Albania (I was told) that the Albanian and Greek parishes all are New Calendar. But the ethnic Macedonian and Montenegrin parishes (along their respective borders) may be using the Old Calendar). In truth, I didn't visit the Slavic parishes (in the extreme North and East), but did meet a Macedonian Albanian student at the Theological Academy in Shen Vlash Durres. He spoke Albanian (as well as Macedonian), and some English, too.

To Alex:

Thank you, your are far too kind! (Slava Isusu Xristu, Slava Na Viki Bohu!)

And To Adam:

A Subdeacon should not wear the cuffs (should he be ordained a full deacon, he wears them then). But on a practical note, for a few dollars more, you can order the cuffs with your sticharion and orarion. If that be the case, best to do it (just in case). Regarding the outer cassock (with the wide sleaves), consult your Pastor on that one. The comment about the Turkish imposition (and the fact that choir members wear wide sleaves) make that one more of a Pastoral call. I would not normally wear it, but I don't know your jurisdictioanl situation.

Axios!!!

Three Cents

Adam, the cuffs are definitely not appropriate for the subdeacon in our (Ukranian Catholic) tradition. But if you are approaching diaconate ordination you'll have them when the time is right and generally there is a discount if you buy an entire set rather than have individual pieces made later.

You're right, Yaroslava does absolutely wonderful work, Father Roman introduced me to her as well several years ago and I have a very nice podriasnik (my first) made by her and she has done some alterations for me as well. If you want some contacts, addresses, opinions, etc. on some other makers you can e-mail me privately.