Skoufos

<i>Skufia</i>

Skufia

Cap worn by Christian monastics


A skufia (also skufiya, skoufia or skoufos; Greek: σκούφια or σκούφος) is an item of clerical clothing, a cap, worn by Eastern Orthodox, 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).

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

Description

A skufia is a soft-sided brimless cap whose top may be pointed (Russian style),[1][2] flat and pleated (Greek style),[3] or flat with raised edges (Romanian style).[4] Typically, monastics receive their skufia either when they first become a novice or when they are tonsured.[5] 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.[6]

High-ranking bishops (such as archbishops and metropolitans) will sometimes wear a black or purple skufia with a small jewelled cross on informal occasions.[7] A nun will sometimes wear a skufia over her monastic veil;[8] while monks often wear the skufia (without a veil) when the klobuk or epanokamelavkion might get in the way of work.

See also


Citations

  1. 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.
  2. thumb_p2433d.jpg Archived October 13, 2003, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 9 October 2015 Skufia Russian style
  3. "Image: red.jpg, (204 × 170 px)". nikitatailor.com. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  4. "Image: red2.jpg, (217 × 151 px)". nikitatailor.com. Retrieved 9 October 2015.
  5. "Ambr6.jpg". newsketemonks.com. Archived from the original on 7 April 2008. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  6. "1115". sestry.ru. Retrieved 29 December 2016.
  7. DSC_0006.jpg Archived February 22, 2006, at the Wayback Machine

General bibliography

  • Philippi, Dieter (2009). Sammlung Philippi: Kopfbedeckungen in Glaube, Religion und Spiritualität. Leipzig: St. Benno Verlag. ISBN 978-3-7462-2800-6.

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