What is the History of the Cassock/priest garment

[netzone23]

I am wondering what is the history of the cassock/priest garment for catholic and non-catholic why do they wear a cassock. I was told resently that the cassock/priest garments are from pagans and should not be worn while other people tell me that a cassock is biblical and all priests/pastors should wear it. I am really confused.

1. what is the history of the cassock?

2. is it wrong to wear a cassock?

3. is it biblical to wear a cassock I had a pastor tell me that it is in the bible about wearing a cassock and pastors should wear a cassock

I am curious about this because I am going to become a pastor soon and other pastors are saying I need to buy a cassock. Please help.

If I am posting in the wrong area could you please direct me to the right page. I am a newbie to these forums. Thanks!

 

[E.C.]

If I remember correctly, the Turks originally imposed the cassock upon the Orthodox. I can not remember, but it certainly would be something interesting to research so long as one remembers that Orthodoxy =/= Catholicism.

 

[Sphinx777]

The cassock, an item of clerical clothing, is a long, close-fitting, ankle-length robe worn by clerics of the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church, Anglican Church, and some clerics of the Reformed and Lutheran churches. The cassock derives historically from the tunic that was formerly worn underneath the toga in classical antiquity.

The word cassock probably comes from the word "casaque" which means cloak; or cassaca, which means white. In older days, it was known in Latin as vestis talaris.

Although the cassock was formerly the universal everyday clothing of the clergy, many have abandoned it as in favour of a clerical suit of more conventional design. In current usage, wearing of the cassock may be a mark of a traditional cleric; its abandonment, a rejection thereof. In the United States, the black clerical suit remains the norm for priests in public ministry, though the use of the cassock remains at their personal discretion and when worn is most often employed in liturgical services.