Liturgical Shoes or Calzares in Eastern and Western Christian Liturgies by Carlo Coppola
Liturgical clothing has always played a fundamental role in Christian celebrations, marking the sacredness of the rites and distinguishing the clergy from the faithful. Among the lesser-known but equally significant elements are the “calzari” or “liturgical shoes”, worn by celebrants during liturgical ceremonies. Although their use is not universally widespread in all Christian traditions, they have an important symbolism, both in Western and Eastern liturgies.
In the Eastern rites, particularly in the Byzantine Rite and in the Eastern Catholic Churches (such as the Armenian, Maronite, Melkite, and Syriac), the shoes are an integral part of the celebrant’s liturgical clothing. Traditionally, priests and bishops wear liturgical shoes during the celebration of the Divine Liturgy, as a sign of respect for the sacredness of the Liturgy. These shoes are usually white or gold in color, and their function is not limited to aesthetics, but takes on a profound symbolic meaning. The use of liturgical shoes refers to the Bible, in particular to the passage in which Moses removes his shoes before the burning bush (Exodus 3:5), recognizing the divine presence. In this sense, liturgical shoes emphasize the “holy” character of the place and time of the celebration, recalling the idea of purity and sacredness.
In the Byzantine ritual, the bishop often wears special liturgical shoes during solemn functions, such as the Divine Liturgy or the Liturgy of the Hours. These shoes are adorned with gold embroidery and constitute a visible element of episcopal dignity, signaling the solemnity of the liturgical service. According to the “Roman Eastern Ritual”, the tradition of wearing liturgical shoes dates back to the first centuries of Christianity, when priests and bishops were distinguished from the rest of the faithful by their sacred clothing.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the use of liturgical footwear is rarer and is not strictly connected to the daily liturgy. The celebrant usually wears ordinary shoes under the liturgical vestments, such as the chasuble and stole. However, there are special occasions, such as papal celebrations or other solemnly liturgical functions, in which bishops and cardinals may wear special liturgical footwear, in harmony with the magnificence of the event. The liturgical footwear, in this case, is similar to that of the Eastern Churches and is carefully chosen for its symbolism of dignity and sacredness. In the Roman Rite, although not so prevalent, there is a certain attention to detail in liturgical dress, which also involves shoes. Although there has not been, even in the past, an obligatory use of footwear during Mass, during particularly solemn celebrations, not even the papal enthronement. On such occasions the Pope himself may wear richly decorated liturgical footwear. These shoes are not only a symbol of authority, but also a sign of detachment from the profane world and consecration to divine service.
In both Eastern and Western traditions, the use of liturgical shoes is not just a matter of clothing, but a symbolic act that is linked to the sacredness of the celebrant's role and respect for the divine celebration. If in the Byzantine rite liturgical shoes are closely linked to purity and solemnity, in the Roman rite their presence is more limited to very particular ceremonies. In any case, wearing liturgical shoes during mass or other celebrations has the purpose of reminding the faithful that sacred time and space are separate from everyday time and that the liturgical act is an encounter with the divine.
