Cassock (Greek raso, rason, anteri; Russian podrasni, ryassa; French soutane, Serbian mantija) was clothing of the Byzantine Empire. It is a tightly buttoned robe with belt around the waste. It is possible that Marco Aurelius born in present-day Lyon, France introduced the it into the Roman Empire. He was called Caracala because of the Gaelic clothing he wore (a type of long tunic). During the Turkish occupation the buttons were replaced by a wide double piece of material folded in front and was only buttoned around the neck, with a lightly colored belt (or lightly colored band). The cassock symbolizes the expiration of the cleric in this world and his dedication to God and the Heavenly Kingdom.
Archbishop Cyprian Kern says "There are no canonic regulations regarding the spiritual robes. However, the life itself and Church practice have crystallized a certain clothing form for clerics. The essence of the tradition is that
a) the cloth separates the spiritual from other titles
b) it protects the priest from many words, jests and actions unsuitable for his title, as well as from visiting places unseemly for his title
c) the cassock itself is announces the confession of our acts to a certain degree
The cut and style of our clothing reminds the priest of the dignified seriousness, modesty, strictness and wisdom. The cassock hides all natural faults of the body: excessive portliness or the opposite - physical beauty. The cassock separates the priest and teaches him how it should be worn..."