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{{Short description|Christian clerical coat}}
{{Distinguish|Cossacks}}
{{Use Oxford spelling|date=March 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=October 2024}}
{{Refimprove|date=November 2022}}
[[File:Cassock priest french african.jpg|thumb|First native Catholic priest in the [[Belgian Congo]], wearing a Roman cassock with the standard 33 buttons. Early 1900s.]]
{{Western dress codes|supplementary}}
The '''cassock''', or '''soutane''', is a Christian [[clerical clothing|clerical]] coat used by the clergy and [[Consecrated life|male religious]] of the [[Oriental Orthodox Churches]], [[Eastern Orthodox Church]] and the [[Catholic Church]], in addition to some clergy in certain [[List of Protestant denominations|Protestant denominations]] such as [[Anglicanism|Anglicans]] and [[Lutheranism|Lutherans]]. "Ankle-length garment" is the literal meaning of the corresponding [[Latin]] term, {{lang|la|vestis talaris}}. It is related to the [[Religious habit|habits]] traditionally worn by [[nun]]s, [[monk]]s, and [[friar]]s.

The cassock derives historically from the [[tunic]] of [[classical antiquity]] that in [[ancient Rome]] was worn underneath the [[toga]], and the [[Chiton (garment)|chiton]] that was worn beneath the [[himation]] in [[ancient Greece]]. In religious services, it has traditionally been worn underneath [[vestment]]s, such as the [[alb]].

In the West, the cassock is little used today except for religious services, save for [[Traditionalist Catholicism|traditionalist]] and those other Catholic clergy and religious who continue to wear the cassock as their standard attire. However, in many countries it was the normal everyday wear of the clergy until the 1960s, when it was largely replaced by clerical suits, distinguished from [[Laity|lay]] dress by being generally black and by a black shirt incorporating a [[clerical collar]].

In Japan, male ''[[gakuran]]'' school uniform were inspired by cassocks.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

== Etymology ==
The word ''cassock'' comes from [[Middle French]] {{lang|frm|casaque}}, meaning a long coat. In turn, the [[Old French]] word may come ultimately from [[Turkish language|Turkish]] {{lang|tr|kazak}} (nomad, adventurer&nbsp;– the source of the word ''[[Cossack]]''), an allusion to their typical riding coat, or from [[Persian language|Persian]] {{lang|fa|کژاغند|rtl=yes}} {{lang|fa-Latn|kazhāgand}} (padded garment) – {{lang|fa|کژ|rtl=yes}} {{lang|fa-Latn|kazh}} (raw silk) + {{lang|fa|آغند|rtl=yes}} {{lang|fa-Latn|āgand}} (stuffed).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cassock|title=''Online Etymology Dictionary'' and ''American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language''|accessdate=14 March 2010|archive-date=4 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100304071012/http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/cassock|url-status=live}}</ref> The name was originally specially applied to the dress worn by soldiers and horsemen, and later to the long garment worn in civil life by both men and women. As an ecclesiastical term, the word ''cassock'' came into use somewhat late (as a translation of the old names of ''subtanea'', ''vestis talaris'', ''toga talaris'', or ''tunica talaris''), being mentioned in Canon LXXIV (74) of the [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] ''1604 Canons'';<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.anglican.net/doctrines/1604-canon-law/ | title = Decency in Apparel enjoined to Ministers | work = Constitutions and Canons Ecclesiastical Of the Church of England | access-date = 21 February 2021 | archive-date = 26 January 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210126151858/https://www.anglican.net/doctrines/1604-canon-law/ | url-status = live }}</ref> and it is in this sense alone that it now survives.

The word ''[[wikt:soutane#English|soutane]]'' is a French word, coming from [[Latin]] {{lang|la|subtana}}, the adjectival form of {{lang|la|subtus}} (beneath).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/soutane |title=Collins English Dictionary |publisher=Collins English Dictionary |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-date=21 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140821045856/http://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/soutane |url-status=live }}</ref>

== Western Christian practice ==

=== Latin Catholic ===
[[File:Prospero Caterini.jpg|thumb|right| Cardinal [[Prospero Caterini]] 1795–1881]]
[[File:Missione del Guaricano-cardinale Tarcisio Bertone.jpg|thumb|right|Cardinal [[Tarcisio Bertone]] wearing a tropical white cassock trimmed in cardinalatial scarlet in [[Santo Domingo]], [[Dominican Republic]]]]
[[File:SANGUIS-Brvgensis AD2015 2.jpg|thumb|right|During procession the cassock is prescribed for high clergy]]
The cassock (or soutane) comes in a number of styles or [[cut (clothing)|cuts]], though no particular symbolism attaches to these. A [[Rome|Roman]] cassock often has a series of buttons down the front. In some English-speaking countries these buttons may be merely ornamental, with a concealed fly-front buttoning, known as a Chesterfield front, used to fasten the garment. A French cassock also has buttons sewn to the sleeves after the manner of a [[Suit (clothes)|suit]], and a slightly broader skirt. An [[Ambrosian Rite|Ambrosian]] cassock has a series of only five buttons under the neck, with a sash on the waist. A [[Society of Jesus|Jesuit]] cassock, in lieu of buttons, has a fly fastened with hooks at the collar and is bound at the waist with a cincture knotted on the right side.

The ordinary Roman cassock worn by Roman Catholic clerics (as distinct from that worn as choir dress) is black except in tropical countries, where because of the heat it is white and usually without shoulder cape ([[pellegrina]]). Coloured [[Piping (sewing)|piping]] and buttons are added in accordance with rank: black for priests, purple for [[Chaplain of His Holiness|chaplains of His Holiness]]; amaranth red for [[Bishop (Catholicism)|bishops]], [[Protonotary apostolic|protonotaries apostolic]] and [[Honorary Prelate]]s; and scarlet red for [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinals]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cardinals.fiu.edu/instruction69.htm |title=Instruction on the Dress, Titles and Coats-of-Arms of Cardinals, Bishops and Lesser Prelates, 28 March 1969 |publisher=Fiu.edu |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-date=2 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170602003150/http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/instruction69.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

The 1969 Instruction on the dress of prelates stated that for all of them, even cardinals, the dress for ordinary use may be a simple black cassock without coloured trim.<ref>Instruction, 5 and 14{{full citation needed|date=April 2024}}</ref>

A band cincture or sash, known also as a [[Fascia (vestment)|fascia]], may be worn with the cassock. The Instruction on the dress of prelates specifies that the two ends that hang down by the side have silk fringes, abolishing the sash with tassels.<ref>Instruction, 3, 15, 18, 19{{full citation needed|date=April 2024}}</ref> A black faille fascia is worn by priests, deacons, and major seminarians, while a purple faille fascia is used by bishops, protonotaries apostolic, honorary prelates, and chaplains of His Holiness, when wearing a cassock with coloured trim. A black watered-silk fascia is permitted for priests attached to the [[papal household]], a purple watered-silk fascia for bishops attached to the papal household (for example, [[Apostolic Nuncio]]s), and a scarlet watered-silk fascia for cardinals. The Pope wears a white watered-silk fascia, sometimes with his coat of arms on the ends.

In [[choir dress]], chaplains of His Holiness wear their purple-trimmed black cassocks with a [[Surplice|cotta]], but bishops, protonotaries apostolic, and honorary prelates use (with a cotta or, in the case of bishops, a [[rochet]] and [[mozzetta]]) cassocks that are fully purple (this purple corresponds more closely with a Roman purple and is approximated as fuchsia) with scarlet trim, while those of cardinals are fully scarlet with scarlet trim. Cardinals have the additional distinction of having both choir cassock sleeves and the fascia made of scarlet watered-silk. The ''cut'' of the choir cassock is still a Roman-cut or French-cut Roman cassock.

In the past, a cardinal's cassock was made entirely of watered silk, with a train that could be fastened at the back of the cassock. This train was abolished by the ''[[motu proprio]]'' ''Valde solliciti''  of [[Pope Pius XII]] with effect from 1 January 1953.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cardinals.fiu.edu/valde.htm |title=''Valde solliciti'', I |publisher=.fiu.edu |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304060557/http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/valde.htm |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=live }}</ref> With the same ''motu proprio'', the Pope ordered that the violet cassock (then used in penitential periods and in mourning) be made of wool, not silk,<ref>''Valde solliciti'', III</ref> and in February 1965, under Pope Paul VI, a circular of the Sacred Ceremonial Congregation abolished the use of watered silk also for the red cassock.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://cardinals.fiu.edu/guide-xx.htm |title=The Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church: Guide to documents and events |publisher=.fiu.edu |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151026202321/http://www2.fiu.edu/~mirandas/guide-xx.htm |archive-date=26 October 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>

An elbow-length shoulder cape, open in front, is sometimes worn with the cassock, either fixed to it or detachable. It is known as a [[pellegrina]]. It is distinct from the mozzetta, which is buttoned in front and is worn over a [[rochet]].

The general rule of the Roman Catholic Church is that the pellegrina may be worn with the cassock by cardinals and bishops.<ref name=pellegrina>Instruction on the Dress, Titles and Coats-of-Arms of Cardinals, Bishops and Lesser Prelates, 28 March 1969, 2 and 14</ref> In 1850, the year in which he [[Universalis Ecclesiae|restored the Catholic hierarchy]] in England and Wales, [[Pope Pius IX]] was understood to grant to all priests there the privilege of wearing a replica in black of his own white caped cassock.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/nwchs/plumb/glossary.html |title=England & Wales 1550–1850, s.v. "Clerical dress" |publisher=Catholic History |date=12 November 1918 |access-date=25 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021024031/http://www.catholic-history.org.uk/nwchs/plumb/glossary.html |archive-date=21 October 2013 }}</ref> Since then, the wearing of the pellegrina with the cassock has been a sign of a Roman Catholic priest in England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, although sometimes imitated by Anglican priests.

In his 1909 book, ''Costume of Prelates of the Catholic Church'', John Abel Felix Prosper Nainfa proposed<ref name="google">{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ILddVVSkGx8C&dq=nainfa+%22adopting+the+English+word+simar%22&pg=PA47 | title=Costume of Prelates of the Catholic Church: According to Roman Etiquette | isbn=9785881504113 | last1=Nainfa | first1=John Abel | year=1909 | publisher=John Murphy | access-date=30 March 2023 | archive-date=20 April 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240420122002/https://books.google.com/books?id=ILddVVSkGx8C&dq=nainfa+%22adopting+the+English+word+simar%22&pg=PA47#v=onepage&q=nainfa%20%22adopting%20the%20English%20word%20simar%22&f=false | url-status=live }}</ref> the use of the English word "[[simar]]", instead of the word "cassock", for the garment with shoulder cape, which he treated as distinct from the cassock proper. Others too have made the same distinction between the "simar" (with pellegrina) and the "cassock" (without), but many scholars disagree with Nainfa's distinction.<ref name=McNamara>{{cite web |url=http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur444.htm |title=Edward McNamara, "Birettas and Academic Hats at Mass" |publisher=Ewtn.com |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-date=14 July 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714182248/http://www.ewtn.com/library/liturgy/zlitur444.htm |url-status=live }}</ref> More particularly, documents of the [[Holy See]] make no such distinction, using the term ''cassock'' or ''vestis talaris'' whether a pellegrina is attached or is not. Thus the 1969 instruction states that, for cardinals and bishops, "the elbow-length cape, trimmed in the same manner as this ''cassock'', may be worn over it".<ref name=pellegrina/> ''Cassock'', rather than ''simar'', is the term that is usually applied to the dress of Popes and other Catholic ecclesiastics. The instruction also gives no support to Nainfa's claim that the cassock with shoulder cape should not be worn in church services, which moreover would be of difficult application, since the cassock with pellegrina is generally made as a single garment, with a non-detachable pellegrina.

Nainfa wrote that at that time the garment with shoulder cape was in Italian called a ''zimarra'', a term, however, that in that language is today used rather of a historical loose-fitting overgown, quite unlike the close-fitting cassock with pellegrina worn by Catholic clergy,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://threadwalker.net/16c-italian-intro.html#timeline |title=Italy in the 16th century |publisher=Threadwalker.net |access-date=25 August 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120325011613/http://threadwalker.net/16c-italian-intro.html |archive-date=25 March 2012 }}</ref><ref>[[:it:Zimarra|zimarra]]{{Circular reference|date=October 2022}}</ref> and similar to the fur-lined {{ill|Schaube|de|vertical-align=sup}} that was used in northern Europe.<ref>[[:de:Zimarra|Zimarra]]{{Circular reference|date=October 2022}}</ref><ref>[[commons:Category:Schaube|images in Wikimedia Commons]]</ref> Images of the historical zimarra as worn by women can be seen at "Dressing the Italian Way"<ref>{{cite web |url=http://aneafiles.webs.com/renaissancegallery/italian.html |title=Dressing the Italian way |publisher=Aneafiles.webs.com |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110404062750/http://aneafiles.webs.com/renaissancegallery/italian.html |archive-date=4 April 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref> and "The Italian Showcase".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/yourgarb/2008/Chris.htm |title=The Italian Showcase – Chris at the Realm of Venus |publisher=Realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-date=12 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150312090421/http://realmofvenus.renaissanceitaly.net/yourgarb/2008/Chris.htm |url-status=live }}</ref>

In cold weather, the manto, an ankle-length cape with or without shoulder cape, or the [[greca (clothing)|greca]], also known as the douillette, an ankle-length double-breasted overcoat, is traditionally worn over the cassock. For bishops and priests both the manto and greca are solid black in colour, while for the pope the manto is red and the greca is white.

<gallery widths="160" heights="160">
File:Cassock (Pope).svg|Pope<br /><small>(Always with [[pellegrina]]. However, Benedict XVI discontinued the pellegrina upon becoming pope emeritus.)</small>
File:Cassock (Cardinal).svg|Cardinal<br /><small>(Often with pellegrina.)</small>
File:Cassock (Catholic Bishop).svg|Bishop<br /><small>(Often with pellegrina.)</small>
File:Cassock (Chaplain of His Holiness).svg|Chaplain of His Holiness, Protonary Apostolic, or Honorary Prelate
File:Cassock (Catholic Priest).svg|Priest, Deacon, or Seminarian
</gallery>

=== Anglican and Methodist ===
[[File:Anne Jeff 555.JPG|thumb|upright|An Anglican priest wearing the standard double-breasted Sarum cassock]]
The [[Church of England|Anglican church]] uses single and double-breasted cassocks. For many this is to indicate tradition (single-breasted in the [[Anglo-Catholicism|Anglo-Catholic]] tradition and double-breasted in the [[Evangelicalism|evangelical]] end of the church).<ref>source?</ref>

The double-breasted cassock fastens at the shoulders on the opposing side of the breast and at the waist with one concealed button. The latter usually has a single small stem-button sewn at centre front about {{convert|12|-|15|cm|frac=2}} below the centre-front neck line which is used to secure the [[academic hood]], worn for Choir Dress.

The single-breasted cassock worn by Anglicans traditionally has thirty-nine buttons as signifying the ''[[Thirty-Nine Articles]],'' or as some would prefer "[[2 Corinthians 11|Forty stripes save one]]" – the punishment [[Saint Paul the Apostle]] says he received from the Jews.

Cassocks are often worn without a [[cincture]] and some opt for a buckled belt.<ref>{{cite book|last=Edwards|first=Nina|title=On The Button|date=15 December 2011|publisher=I.B.Tauris|isbn=9781848855847|page=178|quote=In the Roman Catholic version the 33 buttons are said to represent the years of Jesus's life; in the Anglican the 39 buttons are thought by some to represent the 39 Articles of Faith. The Ambrosian cassock has only five buttons, with a broad sash at the waist; the French cassock has buttons elegantly up the sleeves as in a modern lounge suit; Jesuits prefer a fly fastening and no buttons on show whatsoever.}}<!--|access-date=2015-06-17--></ref>

Black is the most common colour for priests ([[presbyter]]s), [[Lay reader|readers]], vergers, and server cassocks. Lighter colours, such as white are used in tropical countries and some cathedrals have colours specific for their location. Piping is also used in the Anglican church to indicate position held with red being used for Deans, Archdeacons and Cathedral Canons. Bishops and [[Archbishop]]s often wear purple cassocks. This has been practise since the 19th century. More recently the Archbishops have chosen to wear black, this can be seen in the ministries of [[Rowan Williams]] and [[Justin Welby]]. A comparatively recent custom – since the reign of [[Edward VII]] – is that scarlet cassocks are properly worn only by [[Chaplain to the King|Chaplains to the King]] and by members of Royal foundations such as [[Westminster Abbey]] and some Cambridge college chapels.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 November 2010 |title=Out of the question: Peculiar colour of cassocks |url=https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2010/26-november/features/features/out-of-the-question-peculiar-colour-of-cassocks |website=[[Church Times]] |access-date=5 April 2021 |archive-date=28 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028143553/https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2010/26-november/features/features/out-of-the-question-peculiar-colour-of-cassocks |url-status=live }}</ref> They are also worn by the Head Master and Master of the King's Scholars of [[Westminster School]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://oldwestminsterslodge.org/Westminster%20School%20Odds%20and%20Ends.pdf |title=Odds & Ends of Westminster School |work=OldWestMinstersLodge.org |first=Robert HG |last=Charles |date=2015 |access-date=19 November 2020 |archive-date=12 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220212051230/http://oldwestminsterslodge.org/Westminster%20School%20Odds%20and%20Ends.pdf |url-status=live }}{{Circular reporting|date=April 2022}}</ref> Nonetheless, many cathedral canons wear full crimson cassocks rather than with mere piping,{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} as do many servers guilds and choirs due to longstanding practice.

[[File:School choir.jpg|thumb|A school choir wearing cassocks under [[surplice]]s]]
Cassocks are sometimes also worn by [[Reader (liturgy)|readers]], [[altar server]]s, and [[choir]] members, when they do this is the double-breasted style. Readers and altar servers usually wear black cassocks, but those worn by choirs are usually coloured.{{citation needed|date=March 2024}}

Ministers (presbyters) of the [[Methodist Church of Great Britain]] also traditionally wear a double-breasted cassock (as in the evangelical Anglican tradition).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Wallwork |first1=Norman |title=Blackbirds and Budgerigars: Critical History of Methodist Liturgical Dress 1786–1986 |date=1986 |publisher=Methodist Sacramental Society |location=Stoke-on-Trent, England |isbn=978-0951259917 |url=http://www.sacramental.org.uk/uploads/5/0/0/9/50096105/blackbirds_and_budgerigars_-_norman_wallwork.pdf |access-date=28 November 2022 |archive-date=28 November 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221128201642/http://www.sacramental.org.uk/uploads/5/0/0/9/50096105/blackbirds_and_budgerigars_-_norman_wallwork.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref>

<gallery widths="160" heights="160">
File:Cassock (Anglican Bishop).svg|Bishop
File:Cassock (Anglican Canon).svg|Canon <br /><small>(cassock colour may vary)</small>
File:Cassock (Anglican Priest).svg|Presbyter/Deacon/Layperson<br /><small>cassock colour may vary if worn<br /> by, for instance, a chorister</small>
</gallery>

=== Lutheran ===

In the Evangelical Lutheran Churches of [[Church of Denmark|Denmark]], the [[Church of the Faroe Islands|Faroe Islands]], [[Church of Iceland|Iceland]], and the North German [[Hanseatic League|Hanseatic]] cities of [[Hamburg]] and [[Lübeck]], clergy wear the cassock with the [[ruff (clothing)|ruff]] as [[vestment]]s.

The Cassock is also worn occasionally in American Lutheran churches. In previous years, the cassock was worn in combination with a white surplice which almost entirely covered it. It is customary for a minority of clergy to wear it on special high holidays such as Good Friday and Ash Wednesday. Most commonly, Lutheran pastors wear an [[alb]] over a clerical shirt (with clergy collar). [[Vestment]]s, most commonly a [[Stole (vestment)|stole]], are worn over the alb.

=== Presbyterian ===
{{Unreferenced section|date=November 2022}}
In the [[Church of Scotland]], and Presbyterian churches which trace their heritage back to the Scottish church, they typically use the Anglican style of cassock. In addition, it is not uncommon to see full-length cassocks worn in the blue of the [[Flag of Scotland]], which is also tied to the academic dress of the [[University of St Andrews]]. As is the custom within the Church of England, ministers of the Church of Scotland who are chaplains to the royal family also wear a scarlet cassock. Over this is typically worn a [[geneva gown|preaching gown]] or the [[academic gown]] of the minister. During the [[Edwardian era|Edwardian]] and [[Victorian fashion|Victorian]] era, it was common to see a shortened, double-breasted black silk cassock worn under the gown. It generally reached to the knees and was tied with a simple [[cincture]]. However, with the [[liturgical movement]] of the 20th century, the classic cassock came back into fashion.

Presbyterians in Canada tend to follow the custom of the Church of Scotland, whereas Presbyterians in the United States typically wear an American Geneva gown over a sleeveless cassock or a non-cuffed gown over an Anglican or Roman style cassock. The American [[Geneva gown]] is often supplied with a cuff sewn into the double-bell sleeve (this innovation is a remnant of the cassock sleeve that was formerly worn underneath).

As is the practice in the Anglican churches, cassocks may be worn by others who are not ministers. Ordained elders and deacons, as they serve as worship leaders, readers, and administer communion may also wear cassocks which tend to be black. Those worn by choirs and other worship leaders are usually coloured (for instance, The Shadyside Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) choir is dressed in red cassocks under white surplices).

== Eastern Christian practice ==
{{also|Cowl}}
<!-- This section is linked from [[Degrees of Orthodox monasticism]] --><!-- [[Endorasson]], [[Exorasson]], [[Exorason]], [[Outer riassa]] and [[Podryasnik]] redirect here -->

[[Image:Eastern Orthodox man in Jerusalem by David Shankbone.jpg|thumb|left|A [[Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Jerusalem|Greek Orthodox]] clergyman in [[Jerusalem]] wearing outer cassock (''exorason'') and [[kalimavkion]]]]

[[File:Jan Sezonow.jpg|thumb|Inner cassock worn by a [[Polish Orthodox Church]] cleric]]

[[Image:By Grace of God, Ignatius Zakka I Iwas.jpg|thumb|[[Syriac Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch]], [[Ignatius Zakka I Iwas]] (in red cassock) and a priest (in black)]]

In Eastern Christianity there are two types of cassock: the Inner Cassock and the Outer Cassock or Rason. Monastics always wear a black cassock. There is no rule about colouration for non-monastic clergy, but black is the most common. Blue or grey are also seen frequently, while white is sometimes worn for [[Easter|Pascha]]. In the Eastern Churches, cassocks are not dress for any lay ministry. Generally, one has to be blessed to wear a cassock usually in the case of exercising a clerical duty.

=== Types of Eastern cassocks ===
* The '''inner cassock''' (more often simply ''cassock'') is an ankle length garment worn by all major and minor clergy, monastics, and often by male [[seminary|seminarian]]s. The Slavic, or "Russian" style ({{langx|ru|link=no|подрясник}} {{lang|ru-Latn|podryasnik}}, {{langx|uk|підрясник}} {{lang|uk-Latn|pidryasnyk}}) is double-breasted, closely fitted through the torso and flaring out to the skirt, with a high collar buttoned off-center, and may be cinctured with either a leather or wide cloth belt.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/cassock/20rw.jpg |title=See for example |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-date=23 October 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023201829/http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/cassock/20rw.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> The Greek version, called an ''anteri'' (αντερί), ''rason'' (ράσον), or ''zostiko'' (ζωστικό) is somewhat fuller, gathered at the waist with a narrow cloth belt, and with a high collar buttoned in the front.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/cassock/embrod.jpg |title=See for example |access-date=25 August 2014 |archive-date=3 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303233409/http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/cassock/embrod.jpg |url-status=live }}</ref> The inner cassock is usually worn by all clergy members under their liturgical vestments.
* The '''outer cassock'''  ({{langx|ru|link=no|ряса}} {{lang|ru-Latn|ryasa}}, {{langx|uk|ряса}} {{lang|uk-Latn|ryasa}},  {{langx|grc|εξώρασον, ράσον}} {{lang|grc-Latn|exorason}}) is a voluminous garment worn over the inner cassock by bishops, priests, deacons, and monastics as their regular outerwear.<ref name="nikitatailor">{{cite web|url=http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/reassas/r20w.jpg|title=Image: r20w.jpg, (111 × 252 px)|publisher=nikitatailor.com|access-date=2015-09-23|archive-date=16 October 2006|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061016225410/http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/reassas/r20w.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> It is not worn by seminarians, [[Reader (liturgy)|readers]] or [[subdeacon]]s in the Russian tradition. In the Greek tradition, however, chanters 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 colour. The Greek version tends to be somewhat lighter weight and more fully cut than the Russian. It is originally a monastic garment, and in the Russian tradition a man must be explicitly blessed by the bishop to wear it following his ordination to the [[deacon|diaconate]].
* A '''cassock vest''' ("kontorasson" (κοντόρασον), "amaniko" (αμάνικο), "gileko" (γιλέκο)) is sometimes worn over the inner cassock. This is a closely fitted collarless vest, usually falling slightly below the waist. The vest has its origins in the outer cassock and therefore should be worn only by clergy and monastics who would, in formal or liturgical settings, wear the outer cassock.<ref name="nikitatailor2">{{cite web|url=http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/vest/v1w.jpg|title=Image: v1w.jpg, (135 × 252 px)|publisher=nikitatailor.com|access-date=2015-09-23|archive-date=12 September 2005|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050912032450/http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/vest/v1w.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="kwvestments">{{cite web|url=http://kwvestments.com/images/106ant_exot.jpg|title=Image: 106ant_exot.jpg, (480 × 640 px)|publisher=kwvestments.com|access-date=2015-09-23|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713174915/http://kwvestments.com/images/106ant_exot.jpg|archive-date=13 July 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* A '''cassock coat''' may be worn on very cold days, with the same cut as the outer cassock but slightly larger and of heavier material. It may or may not have a fur-lined collar.<ref name="nikitatailor3">{{cite web|url=http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/coat/furw.jpg|title=Image: furw.jpg, (121 × 252 px)|publisher=nikitatailor.com|access-date=2015-09-23|archive-date=15 June 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070615205546/http://www.nikitatailor.com/shop/photographs/coat/furw.jpg|url-status=live}}</ref> The coat is worn over the outer cassock, although many clerics may wear it in lieu of a coat on colder days.

==== Eastern Catholic and Orthodox examples ====
<gallery widths="160" heights="160">
File:Eastern Orthodox Bishop.png|Bishop
File:Orthodox Priest Kontorasion.png|Priest with grey Zostikon, a <br /> Kontorasson, and a Skufia.
File:Eastern Orthodox Priest.png|Priest (married)
File:Orthodox Monk-Priest.png|Hieromonk (celibate Priest)
File:Monk.png|Monk
File:Eastern Orthodox Reader.png|Reader/Chanter/Subdeacon/Deacon <br /> dressed in the Zostikon
</gallery>

==== Oriental Orthodox examples ====
<gallery widths="160" heights="160">
File:Syriac Orthodox Patriarch.png|Syriac Patriarch
File:Syriac Orthodox Bishop.png|Syriac Bishop
File:Coptic Orthodox Priest.png|Coptic Priest
File:Syriac Orthodox Priest.png|Syriac Priest
File:Syriac Orthodox Priest-Monk.png|Coptic & Syriac Priest <br /> (monk)
</gallery>

== Non-clerical 17th-century garment ==
The term ''cassock'' can also refer to a loose-fitting, pullover, hip-length jacket worn by ordinary soldiers in the 17th century.{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} A cassock has attached [[sleeve]]s and is open down the sides, similar to a [[mandilion]]. Such garments are popularly recognized as the formal uniform of the [[Musketeers of the Guard]] in ''[[The Three Musketeers]]''&nbsp;– though this is suspect historically.

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline|Cassocks}}
* {{wiktionary-inline|cassock}}

{{Clothing}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Catholic clerical clothing]]
[[Category:Anglican vestments]]
[[Category:Eastern Christian vestments]]
[[Category:Lutheran vestments]]
[[Category:History of clothing]]
[[Category:History of Western fashion]]
[[Category:History of fashion]]
[[Category:Robes and cloaks]]
[[Category:Christian monasticism]]