On January 2, the ceremony of clothing the so-called “head scarf” novices of the Seraphim-Diveyevo monastery into ryasophor took place at the Annunciation Cathedral. During the ceremony, the sisters received their new monastic clothing, including, apart from the black dress (or “podryasnik”), a ryassa, apostolnik, and a black monastic cone-shaped hat called “skufia.” 

The clothing ceremony took place at the end of the vigil service during the First Hour readings. Hegumenia Sergiya clothed each sister in ryassa and a belt, adding later an apostolnik and skufia presenting them with their prayer beads. She blessed and greeted each one of them saying: “Christ is amongst us!” 

Next, the sisters proceeded to the Trinity Cathedral and venerated the relics of Venerable Seraphim of Sarov and the icon of the Most Holy Mother of God “Tenderness” beseeching their blessings for their future life in the monastery.