16 July 1998
The Pious Priests and Deacons
of the Holy Diocese of
Denver
Beloved in the Lord,
In the context of our American society it has become customary for some Orthodox clergy to adopt the western convention of wearing the "Roman collar" and a dark suit as well as cutting their hair and beard according to contemporary fashion. At the same time others have chosen to maintain the Orthodox tradition of wearing the cassock (anteri) and of allowing their hair and beard to remain long.
Within this Holy Diocese both the "traditional" and the "western" practices are acceptable. This is because the Orthodox Church is not legalistic in observing its traditions, and certain flexibility is allowed so long as this is to the spiritual benefit of individuals as well as to the whole of the Church.
This flexibility is in keeping with both the spirit and the letter of Holy Canon 27 of the 102 Canons from the Sixth Ecumenical Council, which states: "Let no one on the Clerical List don inappropriate clothing, either when living in the city or when walking the road; but, on the contrary, let him wear costumes that have already been assigned to the use of those who are enrolled in the Clergy." Using the vocabulary of this Canon, the "costumes" which identify and set a man apart in contemporary American society as a clergyman or priest can be either the "Roman collar" or the traditional cassock. Both are generally accepted and are recognized by the public as clergy attire.
Within this Diocese it is acceptable at all times and in all places to wear the cassock and, as appropriate, the exorasson and kalymavki. This traditional "attire" is particularly befitting and preferred within the church and parish buildings, as well as in all official church buildings and at all church events.
The "Roman collar" (which actually is an English development) is also appropriate in most public settings, when traveling, when visiting the hospitals and homes, and when in the office. A coat should be worn whenever other men in the particular situation would normally be found wearing suits or coats.
In regard to hair and beards, it should be noted that the "royal or middle way" of moderation in our tradition embraces both long hair and its proper cutting. For instance, on the one hand Saint Paul states that long hair is degrading to a man (1 Corinthians 11:14), and Saint Epiphanios said that long hair on a man "is a thing that is alien to the Catholic Church." Zonaras, the great canonist, similarly emphasizes that men should cut their hair in a simple and modest manner, noting that clergy in particular, "ought by their speech and by their conduct, and by the outward decency and plainness of their garments, and of their hair, and of their beard, to teach the laity not to be body-lovers and exquisites, but soul-lovers and virtue-lovers." Nonetheless, on the other hand it has become accepted practice in Orthodox lands that the clergy not cut the hair of their head nor their beards.
On the other hand the Old Testament teaching of the clergy not cutting their hair or their beard is the norm for monastics in the Church. A monastic does not cut his hair or his beard after he receives his monastic tonsure because the implication which comes from the Old Testament is that he has broken his monastic vow. This holds true for every monk of the Church.
Somehow from this Orthodox tradition, priests in parochial life have chosen to follow the monastic rule regarding their hair and beards.
Within this Diocese either practice is acceptable, but whether a priest or deacon chooses to cut or not cut his hair and beard these must be neat and clean.
There is an erroneous impression some clergy seem to have, that long hair and beards are supposed to "grow wild" and that in allowing this they are somehow emulating the example of "traditional clergy" in the old world. This is not correct. The clergy in traditional Orthodox lands ensure that the hair on their head is neatly combed back and secured unobtrusively in the back; often one does not even notice that they have long hair. Likewise their beards are clean and present a neat appearance.
While monastic clergy living away from the public within their monastic communities have a different standard, the married clergy who serve parishes in the world must always keep in mind that they are representing the Church and Her Bridegroom, Christ, to all people. Parishes are not monasteries, and married clergy should not confuse the separate but parallel purposes of parishes and monasteries Ð either in their marriages or in their parish life. In regard to the outward appearance of all parish clergy, the commentary associated with Holy Canon 27 is germane:
"Clergymen and all who are in Holy Orders ought to be modest and decent even in respect of their outward appearance. For God looks into the heart, it is true, but human beings look at the external condition of the body, according to what has been written: 'A human being will look at a face, but God at a heart.' Hence from what they can see on the outside they draw inferences as to what is in the heart.
I expect that each priest and deacon of this Diocese will present a neat and clean appearance at all times. If a cassock is worn, it should be neat, clean, and well-pressed. It should not look like it was slept in nor should it be stained with food. Being a priest and wearing a cassock is not an excuse for slovenly behavior or for neglecting the norms of common civility. Likewise those who wear the "Roman collar" should keep their clergy shirts and their suits clean, neat, and in good repair.
Simplicity, cleanliness, and decency in accord with contemporary norms should guide us in all these matters along with common sense. Clergy should be clearly identifiable and set apart while at the same time they should present a neat and respectful appearance as representatives of Christ and His Church.
With Paternal Blessings,
+Metropolitan Isaiah
Presiding Hierarch
of
the Diocese of Denver