Quote Originally Posted by Prester John View Post
Regarding the original question - performing any liturgical act requires the standard liturgical garments:

for an Orthodox priest (which I am) cassock, Rhiasa (with the big sleeves) in black, with pectoral cross,

and the appropriate vestment for the service, and, its not optional.
Father, I know that it's traditional to wear vestments in certain colors during particular seasons (purple in Lent, gold on Sundays and feast days, etc.), but I had been under the impression that the assignment of particular colors was a modern (i.e. less than a thousand years ago) invention - my copies of the Triodion and Menaion say to wear "dark" and "light" or "bright" vestments.