ANSWER:
Orthodox clergy wear vestment for liturgical purposes because they hold a priestly office on behalf of Christ. In the NT, this indicated, for instance, by the casting of lot for the ordination of Matthias as apostle/priest (compare the selection of Zachariah in Luke 1) and the fact that 'presbyter' is associated with a priestly office in Revelation (offering incense). Christianity is the continuation of the faith of the Old Testament, only unveiled and fulfilled in Christ. Just as the OT high priest and priests wore glorious vestments (Exodus 28, Sirach 45), it is likewise for the celebrants of the more glorious New Covenant. There is an indication that the Apostle John, for instance, may have used liturgical vestments since there is mention of his priestly crown (mitre) in a letter of Polycrates of Ephesus (180s) preserved by Eusebius. |
