Wearing Your Faith on Your Sleeve - Two Christian Clothiers Worth Checking Out

I think we all know about the corny Christian T-shirts out there - you know, the ones with the slogans declaring "SAVED" or some other desperately-trying-to-be-cool statement done up in the font of some rock band's name (yuck).  But here, I want to show you, the faithful, two Christian clothing shops that I couldn't support more: Monk Rock and Death to the World.

Both places are the antithesis of trying to be cool - both make outright declarations of conformity with the orthodox faith, and both are unapologetic in this.  While similar in some regards, Monk Rock is distinctly Catholic, whilst Death to the World is distinctly Orthodox.  Both are worth seeing and supporting, I feel.

What's sad is that Monk Rock is going through some rather difficult times right now, which only gives the faithful who like to be open about their beliefs all the more reasons to throw a little money their way and get a fantastic shirt in return.  It seems to me that the company wants to espouse a truly Catholic lifestyle in everything they sell.  From rosaries to prayer ropes, from mantillas to shirts of St. Patrick as the Enlightener of Ireland, and even all kinds of music from sacred chant to alternative rock, it's all to be found there.  The grapic design of the website is fantastic, declaring an ardently traditional and orthodox view of the faith.  In many ways, it is indicative of the new generation of Catholics emerging from all the mess of the past few decades. 

Catholics: go here, and give them some support.

Which leads me to Death to the World.  Originally an underground 'zine (photocopied, hand-done magazine) done up by former punks who have now become Orthodox monastics, it has grown into a seemingly underground phenomenon amongst those who prefer to openly embrace the more austere and ascetic side of the faith.  I own a T-shirt of theirs, depicting a monk holding the skull of his former elder in a crypt - believe me, I have to do a lot of explaining sometimes when I wear this shirt (and it is my favorite shirt), just because of its potential for misinterpretation.  But if you love the spirituality of the Christian East, if you love supporting others who came from dark pasts and had the Light hit them hard, then give these guys the support they deserve and check them out here.

Like I said, the apparel sold at these stores is defiantly open, ardent, and passionate about the faith when it comes to its messages.  Ignore the imitators, and go for the good stuff.

And incidentally, those beloved Carmelite brothers over at Mystic Monk Coffee also sell some very nice clothing - their hoodie is as comforting to wear as their coffee is to drink.  And you know the cash is going to a good cause.  Check it out here.