A Greek, Modern (1453-);: skufia (also , or ; Greek, Modern (1453-);: σκούφια or Greek, Modern (1453-);: σκούφος) is an item of clerical clothing, a cap, worn by Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Lutheran and Eastern Catholic monastics (in which case it is black) or awarded to clergy as a mark of honor (in which case it is usually red or purple).
A Greek, Modern (1453-);: skufia is a soft-sided brimless cap whose top may be pointed (Russian style),[1] [2] flat and pleated (Greek style),[3] or flat with raised edges (Romanian style).[4] Typically, monastics receive their Greek, Modern (1453-);: skufia either when they first become a novice or when they are tonsured.[5] 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.[6]
High-ranking bishops (such as archbishops and metropolitans) will sometimes wear a black or purple Greek, Modern (1453-);: skufia with a small jewelled cross on informal occasions.[7] A nun will sometimes wear a Greek, Modern (1453-);: skufia over her monastic veil;[8] while monks often wear the Greek, Modern (1453-);: skufia (without a veil) when the klobuk or epanokamelavkion might get in the way of work.
