If you visit an Orthodox Church, you probably paid attention to the color of the priest’s vestments. Liturgical vestments come in different shades: white, red, purple, black, green. Each color carries a certain meaning and spiritual significance. The church workshop “RYZA” will tell about what the colors of the vestments of the clergy symbolize.
The colors of vestments of clergymen: meaning
White vestments
A symbol of the uncreated Divine Light, which comes into the world to transform it, to sanctify God’s creation.
White robes are church vestments for the feast of the Nativity of Christ, Epiphany and Annunciation. White clothing is also used:
- when performing the sacraments of Baptism and Wedding;
- at the beginning of the Easter service – here the light robes symbolize the Divine Light that shone from the Tomb of the Risen Savior.
- on the day of commemoration – according to the Revelation, the righteous put on white robes of Divine light in the Kingdom of Heaven.
- at the time of elevation to the sacred rank.
Golden, yellow color
Associated with the idea of Jesus as the King of glory. The yellow shade of vestments is worn for Sunday services. In cases where these days do not fall on significant holidays or fasting.
Yellow priestly vestments are also used by:
- on Lazarus Saturday;
- on memorial days of Church servants (saints, apostles, prophets);
- on days of memory of princes and kings.
Green vestments
Symbolizes renewal and eternal life. It is used on days of remembrance of ascetics and monks. Green robes are also worn on the following holidays:
- of the Holy Trinity;
- Holy Spirit Day;
- The Lord’s entry into Jerusalem.
Combined with blue and yellow, green symbolizes Christ and the Holy Spirit. On the days when the memory of the righteous is fulfilled, such an outfit reminds us that the spiritual exploits of a person are enlivened.
Red vestments
Such robes are worn on Easter, on the days of memory of martyrs, Holy Week services and Maundy Thursday.
The red color of the vestments of priests on commemorative days, when the memory of the martyrs is commemorated, means that they shed in the name of the Lord. In a broader sense, red is a shade of boundless mutual love between God and man.
Purple
The color of the vestments of priests during the Holy Week of Great Lent, the Exaltation of the Holy Cross, the Day of the Beheading of John the Baptist and some other significant holidays.
To understand the symbolism of the purple shade, it is necessary to imagine the spectrum of sunlight in the form of a circle with connected ends. Violet is the middle of two opposite ends of the spectrum. In Revelation (22, 12), Jesus Christ calls himself Alpha and Omega (the beginning and the end). Therefore, purple is identified with memories of the Cross.
Another symbolism of the purple color is that it expresses the idea that by His death on the Cross Christ conquered death because the combination of the two extreme colors of the spectrum does not leave any place for blackness as a symbol of death in the resulting circle of color.
Blue
A symbol of innocence and purity, it is the color of the Mother of God. Clothing of this shade is used for all holidays dedicated to the Mother of God. In this list:
- Annunciation;
- Nativity of the Holy Mother of God;
- Dormition of the Holy Mother of God
- the Deposition of the Robe
- Shrouds of the Holy Mother of God
- Introduction to the Church, days of memory of the icons of the Mother of God.
Blue color of various shades, up to blue, have the mantles of metropolitans.
Black
Shade of repentance and fasting. Along with purple, clothes of this color can be worn during Lent. In ancient times, the Orthodox Church did not use clothes of this shade. Black clothes began to be used only in the 18th century – at first, as an element of funeral services.
Clothing of all shades in the “RYZA” workshop
You can order individual tailoring of vestments of any color in the “RYZA” workshop. More than 15 years of experience, the largest selection of materials and accessories, worldwide delivery are advantages we are proud of.
By contacting our workshop, you receive:
- Huge choice. Clothing of any shade (red, black, blue, white), church fabrics and accessories for individual tailoring.
- Good price. We have been working in the field of church vestments since 2003. Thanks to established cooperation with a network of suppliers, our workshop ensures a loyal cost of products.
- Consultations. Qualified employees work in our workshop, who will help you choose all the necessary products in our assortment.
- Custom tailoring. The required clothing is not in our catalog? This is not a problem. We will make shirts in the right color and size.
For issues of cooperation, call or leave a request for a call back.
