The Cassock is long garment, from a tightly buttoned collar down to the ankles,
with narrow sleeves. The cassock appears in two styles. The
first style (Russian) tightens at the waist, cutting the cassock
from top to bottom, with the lower section broadening in the
shape of a bell. The lower left flap drops deeply underneath
the right outer flap. The right outer flap slants to the left
side and is buttoned at the waist and neck. The second style,
or Old Believer style narrows in the waist or, is straight-lined;
divided in the center from the neck to the chest (see picture
below), or all the way down, with a row of buttons down to
the ankles (common 33). Such a style was used by the clergy
of the ancient Russian Old Believers and the aristocracy.
The cassock is the under garment. For monastics the cassock
must be black. The color of the cassock used by the white
(married) clergy can be black, dark-blue, brown, gray or white;
the material used can be either cloth, wool, satin, linen
or other fabrics.
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