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[[Image:Cossock.jpg|right|frame|A Greek Orthodox Clergyman wearing an outer cassock]] The '''cassock''', an item of clerical clothing, is a long, close-fitting, ankle-length robe worn by [[clergy|clerics]] of the Orthodox Church, as well as many Western Christian denominations. The cassock derives historically from the tunic that was formerly worn underneath the toga in classical antiquity.
The word "cassock" probably comes from the word "Middle French ''casaque" which means '' (cloak; or "cassaca," which means white). In older days, it was known in Latin as ''vestis talaris''.
Although the cassock was formerly the universal everyday clothing of the clergy, many, particularly in the west, have abandoned it as in favor of a clerical suit of more modern design. In current usage, wearing the cassock may be a mark of a traditional cleric, though in the Orthodox Church, even those who generally do not wear cassocks continue to wear them during the services.
==Eastern practice==
In Byzantine and Slavic practice there are two types of cassock: the inner cassock and the outer cassock or ''rason''. Monastics always wear black cassocks. There is no rule about coloration for non-monastic clergy, but black is the most common. Blue or grey are also seen frequently, while white is sometimes worn for [[Pascha]].
*The '''inner cassock''' (more often simply ''cassock'') is an ankle-length garment worn by all [[Major orders|major]] and [[Minor orders|minor]] clergy, [[monastic]]s, and often by male [[seminary|seminarian]]s. The Russian version, called a ''podryasnik'' or ''podrjaznik'' (Russian: подрясник), is double-breasted, closely fitted through the torso and flaring out to the skirt, and with a high collar buttoned off-center.<ref>[http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/cassock/20rw.jpg Example of a Russian cassock]</ref> The Greek version, called an ''anteri'' (αντερί) or ''rasonzostiko''(ζωστικό), is somewhat fuller, gathered at the waist with a cord, and with a high collar buttoned in the front.<ref>[http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/cassock/embrod.jpg Example of a Greek cassock]</ref> The inner cassock is usually worn by all clergy under their liturgical [[vestments]].
*The '''outer cassock''' also called a ''ryasa'' or ''riassa'' (Russian: ряса), or ''exorason'' (Greek: ''εξώρασον'' or simply ''ράσον'') is a voluminous garment worn over the inner cassock by [[bishop]]s, [[priest]]s, [[deacon]]s, and monastics as their regular outer wear.<ref>[http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/reassas/r20w.jpg Example of an outer cassock]</ref> It is not worn by seminarians, [[reader]]s or [[subdeacon]]s in the Russian tradition. In the Greek tradition, however, [[chanter]]s may wear it in church, usually with no inner cassock beneath but directly over secular clothing. The outer cassock should be worn by a priest celebrating a service such as [[Vespers]] where the rubrics call for him to be less than fully vested, but it is not worn by any clergy beneath the [[sticharion]]. It may be worn with the bottoms of the sleeves turned back, which are sometimes faced in a contrasting color. The Greek version tends to be somewhat lighter weight and more fully cut than the Russian. It is originally a monastic garment.
*A '''cassock vest''' is sometimes worn over the inner cassock in cooler weather. This is a closely fitted collarless vest with patch pockets, usually falling slightly below the waist.<ref>[http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/vest/v1w.jpg Example of a cassock vest]</ref>
The cassock "symbolizes the death of a clergyman to this world, and his burial and subsequent dedication to God and his heavenly kingdom."<ref>[http://www.goarch.org/en/ourfaith/articles/article8049.asp "Cassock"] in ''A Dictionary of Orthodox Terminology</ref>
==Western practice==
There are two main kinds of cassocks in Western practice; the single breasted and the double breasted cassock.