It is believed that our Eastern Church vestments for Bishop, priest, and deacon, all have their roots in the ceremonial dress of the Levitical Priesthood of the Old Testament, as well as from the Grand Court of Constantinople, and the ordinary dress of the Roman citizen of the first few centuries.

After the fall of Rome in 476, a new changed attire was adapted by the local people. The clergy on the other hand, who had normally dressed in the style of the day, remained with the former more conservative dress pre-the-fall. They were readily recognizable as clergy and this process has become

known as the antiquarian theory of the origin of Christian vestments. Archimandrite Chrysostomos said that the idea of special liturgical dress was germinating during the first four hundred Christian years and that if there was a special dress, it was modeled after ordinary dress. Another important influence upon our Eastern Church vestments came directly from the Byzantine Court with its lavish ceremonies, their bright embroidery on gold and silken vestments.

St John Chrysostom states that "1... it is not a human being who causes the sacrificial gifts to become the Body and Blood of Christ, but Christ himself...supplying Christ with a visible form, the priest stands at the altar, .. .but the power and grace are from God."

For the purpose of this paper we will focus primarily upon the Diaconal vestments. However all Eastern Church vestment are fundamentally two, the Baptismal robe which is the Dalmatic or "Stichar", and the Stole or "Orar."  The stichar is a symbol of our being clothed in Christ by putting on Christ through Baptism — new life in the Kingdom of God. And before donning this investment the deacon first asks for the blessing from the bishop/priest upon it, kissing the bishop's/priest's hand as that of Christ's own and then kissing the cross which is usually embroidered on the center of the vestment back. While putting it on the deacon prays the prayer of salvation and joy.

"My soul rejoices in the Lord, for He has placed upon me the garment of salvation and has put upon me the robe of joy. Like a bridegroom he has crowned me, and like a bride He has adorned me."

Next the deacon puts on his orar (which means to "pray"). This was probably a towel or scarf which everyone wore in those days to wipe their mounts after eating and then thrown over one's shoulder. The more wealthy would have their slave carry their towel while a special embroidered scarf would be worn, and not used for ablutions. The orar is used by all the ordained people as a token of the grace of the Holy Spirit. Deacons wear it over the left shoulder as a sign of their office. The Bishop and Priest wear its equivalent but it is draped over them differently.  The orar is raised to mark the beginning of the praises of God and for the continuation of them in the petitions.. The orar is used to point, it is raised in reverent Salute whenever blessings are given, and it is changed into a cross like position at the Communion time. This probably grew out of the practical need to bind the flowing robes to prevent them from catching onto and spilling the Eucharist, as it was the deacon's job to mix the Eucharistic species at the Liturgy. The cuffs which are also donned with ritual prayers which glorify God's power in creation. They also were simply practical tucking in the sleeves. The cuffs took on the symbolism of the bonds which bound Christ during his trail and passion.

This was "Holy play" in the presence of God with no special significance, but done with love, reverence, and joy.

After the Liturgical service is completed, the deacon consumes what Eucharist remains, and cleanses the holy vessels for their next use.

When the vestments are removed, the deacon reverently prays the song of Simeon, "Now O Lord, you may dismiss your servant in peace... We need to study more about our spiritual worship traditions and symbols to help deepen our Faith experience. Because Christ became incarnate, all reality has been ennobled and redeemed. As creatures of flesh and blood it is our nature to crave, need, and make use of the physical and visible as aides to the spiritual and the Divine. When the deacon perform his diakonia of the Word and Liturgy property, reverently, and deliberately, God's presence is made known and felt and all are uplifted as if to the heavens.