Skufia

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A Skufia (also Skufiya or Skoufos) is an item of clerical clothing worn by Orthodox Christian monastics (in which case it is black [link]) or awarded to clergy as a mark of honor (in which case it is usually red or purple). It is a soft-sided brimless cap whose top may be pointed (Russian style) [link], flat and pleated (Greek style) [link]), or flat with raised edges (Romanian style) [link]. Typically, a monastic receives their skufia either when they first become a novice or when they are tonsured [link]. A monk or nun who has been tonsured to the Great Schema will wear a skoufia that has been embroidered with prayers, crosses, and figures of seraphim [link].

High ranking bishops (such as Archbishops and Metropolitans) will sometimes wear a black or purple skufia with a small jewelled cross on informal occasions [link]. An Orthodox nun will sometimes wear a skufia over her monastic veil [link]; Orthodox monks often wear the skufia (without a veil) when the klobuk or epanokamelavkion might get in the way of work.

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