Vestments for readers

[Constantine]

God willing, I shall receive the tonsure to become a reader this year. The readers in my parish wear cassocks, mostly Russian but at least one reader wears a Greek style. I should like to purchase a podraznik when the time is right and would like to know your suggestions about where to do so. I'd prefer buying one from a monastery or convent but am quite open to any suggestions. I am familiar with what the Convent of St. Elizabeth, Etna, CA, offers but would like to learn more. Any advice, suggestions, links, etc., would be most appreciated. Thank you very much.

Wishing everyone a blessed Holy Theophany as well as a blessed Nativity, I am,

Yours in Christ,
Constantine

[Fr Raphael Vereshack]

You might want to try Istok at:
http://www.istok.net/

In Christ- Fr Raphael

[Anthony Stokes]

Constantine, Fr. Raphael is correct, Istok is one of the best places, especially price wise. The worst part can be the wait. Since their factory is in Russia, getting a rush order can get expensive. Plus, while all of my vestments have come from there, I usually have to make some adjustments on my cassocks when they arrive.

If you want to spend a little bit more money, then you can try http://nikitatailor.com/ He is in the U.S. and makes very good vestments. He usually has some clearance cassocks that aren't too expensive if you are of a normal size (not like me).

There is also www.liturgix.com I have never ordered from them, but their prices are pretty good.

Sbdn. Anthony

[Niko T.]

If you are looking for a simple black raso (exoraso) that many readers or chanters would use in church, you can check out Holy Transfiguration Monastery in IL. We've ordered a few from them and they do a very good job. They have an online form where you put in the measurements, and it's pretty easy to do: http://www.holytransfigurationmonastery.com/vestments.

[Cyprian (Humphrey)]

But, remember there is a difference between which cassock a reader wears depending on whether one is following the Slavic tradition, or Byzantine tradition.

In the Slavic tradition, a Reader may wear the inner cassock - the one with narrow sleeves, usually without a leather belt or hat of any kind. It is also often worn to and from Church.

In the Byzantine tradition, a Reader wears the outer cassock (the one with the wide sleeves), without the inner one, usually requiring a blessing from the priest before donning, and another blessing before taking it off - therefore being something that is not worn to and from Church.

Isn't it nice that things are all straightforward like this?

[Niko T.]

Thank you Father, I wasn't aware of the difference between the two traditions.