1. Coptic Liturgical Vestments and Priestly and Monastic Garb
COPTIC HERITAGE
COPTIC HERITAGE
Coptic Liturgical Vestments and Priestly and Monastic Garb

2. Introduction Have you ever wondered why our Coptic Church has special vestments for deacons, priests, monks, and nuns? Where did the colors and designs come from? Are there meanings to these colors and designs? Are they based on biblical references or are they culturally based? There are biblical references to these vestments and the colors and designs have meanings behind them. Let’s find out more about vestments and understand why the Coptic Church has them and their purpose.

3. Memory Verse: "I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall exult in my God, for He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with a garland, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels" (Isaiah 61:10).

4. The Purpose of Liturgical Vestments:
The concept of devoting special apparel for use at worship services has its origin in the Old Testament where God commanded Moses to prepare sacred garments that would impart dignity and grandeur to his brother, Aaron, the Levites, and the priests to use at the time of service.

5. Orthodox Christians believe that the priesthood of the church is Christ’s priesthood, with the Eucharist as the first-fruit offering. The clergy do not serve in place of Christ; rather, Christ himself serves in them.
There is purpose in what the Lord asks us to do. The temple, the worship, the decor, and much more is to remind us of heaven. God’s will and intention for us is to be with Him in heaven. Since there is no longer the Jewish Temple, the Orthodox Church has inherited the fullness of the temple tradition.

6. Consecration of Liturgical Vestments:
Before they are first used, liturgical vestments must be consecrated by a Bishop, who makes the sign of the cross over the vestment, consecrating it in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Before the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, the officiating priest makes the sign of the cross over the priest and deacon’s vestments. When a bishop is present, it is he who makes the sign of the cross over them. While the vestments are being put on, the priest should recite:

7. Our Coptic Orthodox Church chose the white color for the following reasons:
• "Who cover Yourself with light as with a garment" (Psalm 104:2). Also, Daniel saw the "Ancient of Days [sitting] and His raiment was white as snow" (Daniel 7:9).
• At the Lord's transfiguration before His disciples: “And He was transfigured before them: and His face did shine as the sun, and His raiment was white as the light” (Matthew 17:2).
• The garments of the angels are always white whenever they appear
• St. John saw, round about the throne of God, twenty- four presbyters sitting "clothed in white raiment; and they had on their heads crowns of gold" (Revelations 4:4).
• Also, our Lord promised that "He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father, and before His angels" (Revelations3:5).
• White signifies purity, cleanliness, innocence, sanctification of heart, and the virtues that God's servants should have.
• White is a reminder for the priest and deacons to pursue Christian virtues, being clean and pure as their garments.

8. The Types of Liturgical Vestments:
Each of the three grades of the ecclesiastical hierarchy has its own liturgical vestments. The following chart illustrates the different types of vestments that each order of the church wears:

9. A. The Tunic (Tonia)
* It means the white robe. It is made to be white since it represents the purity of the servants of God and this color was mentioned several times in the Bible.
* The tunic should be long, reaching from the neck down to the ankles in symbolism of God's Grace that covers the sins of the server. It has an opening on one or both shoulders, with buttons and loops.

10. * This is a red wide ribbon that surrounds the shoulders of the deacon.
* The Stole can be reversed and has a dark blue, purple, or black color to be worn for funerals or during Holy Week.
* “Badrashil" is a Greek word that means a grace taken by a person and carried on his shoulders.
B. The Stole (Badrashil)

11. How Badrashil is worn depends on the rank of the deacon: • The Chanter (Epsaltos) wears the tunic (Tonia) without the Stole (Badrashil).
• The Reader (Anagnostes) and the Subdeacon (Epi-diakon) wear the Badrashil in the form of a cross on his back, with it wrapped around the front as a belt, and with both ends hanging from over his shoulders. It is in the shape of a cross because he is sharing in carrying the cross with Christ, as He says: "If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matthew 16:24). The Stole is in the shape of a belt from the front, as a sign of getting ready for service, like John the Baptist, who used to gird his waist.
• The Deacon and the Archdeacon wear the Badrashil on their left shoulder as a sign of carrying the cross, while the edges of the stole resemble the wings of angels. St. John Chrysostom said: “Meditate on the spiritual joy, you who are resembling the wings of angels when you wear your beautiful stole on your left shoulder.”

12. C. Presbyterial/Episcopal Stole (Sadra)
The Sadra is similar to the breastplate worn by Aaron, according to God's command (Exodus 28).
It is basically the deacons' Stole that is wrapped around the neck instead of on one side of the shoulder, with both ends hanging on the front side.
These both ends were later connected from underneath the neck till the bottom, forming one strip in the front with a visible connection.
It is embroidered with crosses or, if worn by a patriarch or bishop, with the figures of the twelve apostles.

13. D. The Cape (Bornos)
The Cape is worn by the patriarch, the bishops, and the priests. It is given to them at their ordination.
The Cape is a round, sleeveless, loose robe worn over the shoulders.
The Cape is made of fine material (white thread, crimson velvet, and/or golden thread), and is embroidered with elegant artwork, especially crosses.
The Cape is worn over all other vestments and is described symbolically as "the garment of celestial glory."

14. E. Sleeves (Epimanikia)
*Sleeves are made of the same material as the Sadra and are worn over the sleeves of the Tonia and fastened with loops and buttons. *Although they form part of the liturgical vestments of patriarchs, bishops, and priests, Sleeves are now reserved for ceremonial occasions.

15. F. Girdle
The Girdle is a band of silk or linen embroidered with golden or silver crosses.
Its use is nowadays restricted to bishops on certain ceremonial occasions, though in the past, it formed part of the liturgical vestments of priests and bishops alike.
It is worn over the Sadra around the waist, with its two ends held together by means of a silver clasp.

16. G. The Ballin
This vestment, referred to as the "White Ballin" in the ordination service of bishops, is a silk scarf about 13 feet long and 4 feet wide, embroidered with large golden or silver crosses, and sometimes ornamented with precious stones.
It may also be worn at the liturgy, on top of the Emma, and folded crosswise on the chest and the back.

17. H. The Em’ma
The hat that bishops and priests wear is called an Em’ma. It was originally a hat with a turban wrapped around it.
Its significance is to always remind the bishop/priest/pope that although they have authority, they are still under the commandment and authority of God.

18. I. The Taylassan
It is the head cover of the priest during the Divine Liturgy.
It is a wide rectangular piece of cloth on which crosses are drawn, one on the front side and the other on the back.
In the past, it was folded around the head like a turban, then lowered from the backside.

19. J. The Crown (Tag)
The Crown is the royal headdress of the patriarch and the bishops during the Liturgy.
Upon his enthronement and installation in his diocese, the bishop is crowned.
The Crown is made of crimson velvet, arrayed with precious stones and beautiful decorations.
On top stands a jeweled Cross.

20. K. Slippers
Shoes are not allowed inside the sanctuary as a sign of respect for its sanctity.
“Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground” (Exodus 3:5).
Thus, the footwear used by bishops, priests, and deacons is a pair of slippers, made of cotton, wool, or knitted material.

21. L. The Pastorial Staff
The Staff is used by the patriarch and bishop at times other than the Divine Service.
It refers to the shepherd's staff that was received from the great Shepherd of shepherds.

22. Priestly and Monastic Garb
Priests and monks wear black tunics at all times except when celebrating the Divine Liturgy. The color black has many symbolisms:
• It indicates spiritual poverty – it is historically the easiest and cheapest color to dye fabric with.
• Black is a color of mourning and death for the priest, the symbolism is dying to oneself to rise and serve the Lord as well as giving witness of the Kingdom yet to come.
• Black reminds a priest that he ‘dies to the world’ every day and immerses in eternity.
• Blackness also symbolizes giving up bright colors and thus giving up what the world brings, its glittering, honors, and entertainment.
Priestly and Monastic Garb

23. This is the head covering worn by Coptic Orthodox monks.
The 12 crosses symbolize the 12 apostles. They should protect the wearer from evil thoughts and keep him clean.
The seam on the top reminds the monks of St. Anthony the Great, who always resisted the temptations, persecutions and plagues of the demons.
The demons tore on his hood and damaged it.

24. The Significance of Wearing Beards
A) The Service of the Priesthood.
When a priest celebrates the Liturgy, he is for us as Christ. The liturgy is structured on the priesthood that Christ held and gave to those He ordained. The priest is a reminder for us of Christ, even to the point where he is a living semblance of Him.
B) Beards are a Rejection of the World.
Growing out the beard is an outward means of displaying one’s rejection of the world. It is a retort to the vanity of the world. Most ascetics are remembered in their icons with beards for this very reason.
C) Orthodox Piety Begins in the Holy Tradition of the Old Testament.
Our relationship to the Lord God, holiness, worship, and morality was formed in the ancient times of the Bible. At the time of the foundation of the priesthood, the Lord gave the following commandment regarding priestly holiness: “…nor shall they shave the edges of their beards, nor make any cuttings in their flesh” (Leviticus 21:5).

25. Questions for Reflection:
The priestly and monastic garb is distinct and countercultural. What are some ways that we can dress and act that will show the world that we are followers of Christ?
Liturgical Vestments have much symbolism in both the style and colors. How can we meditate on these beautiful meanings during the liturgy?
Vestments are not something that the Coptic Church created to look fancy. They are rooted in the Bible. How were vestments described in both Old Testament temple worship and in heavenly worship?
How are Vestments iconic representations of our Lord and the angels, serving at the one altar of God?
What is the meaning of the verse “For many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14) in the parable of the wedding feast?

26. Applications:
Appreciate the rich history of our Coptic heritage
Meditate on all of the symbolism of the vestments during the liturgy
Seek to be distinct in our Christian lifestyle so that the world will see that we are followers of Christ.
Pray for all the clergy, monks, and nuns in our church
Remember that we are robed in His Goodness and clothed in His Righteousness by His Grace!