Vestment

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Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions, especially the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran and Anglican Churches. Many other Protestant groups also make use of vestments, but this was a point of controversy in the Protestant Reformation and sometimes since - notably during the Ritualist controversies in England in the 19th century.

For other garments worn by clergy, see also Clerical clothing.

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Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant vestments

For the Eucharist, each vestment symbolizes a spiritual dimension of the priesthood, with roots in the very origins of the Church. In some measure these vestments harken to the Roman roots of the See of Peter.

Use of the following vestments varies. Some are used by all Western Christians in liturgical traditions. Many are used only in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, and there is much variation within each of those churches.

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Used by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and some Protestants

  • Surplice - A decorative white tunic worn over the cassock.
  • Stole - A long, narrow strip of cloth draped around the neck, a vestment of distinction, a symbol of ordination. Deacons wear it draped across the left shoulder diagonally across the body to the right hip. Corresponds to the Orthodox orarion and epitrachelion (see below).
  • Alb - The common garment of all ministers at the eucharist, worn over street clothes or a cassock, representing a figure of perfect integrity. Most closely corresponds to the Orthodox sticharion (see below). Symbolizes baptismal garmet.
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Used by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and some Lutherans

  • Chasuble - The outermost sacramental garment of priests and bishops, often quite decorated, an emblem of charity. Corresponds to the Orthodox phelonion (see below).
  • Dalmatic - The outermost garment of deacons.
  • Tunicle - The outermost garment of subdeacons.
  • Cope
  • Maniple, akin to a handkerchief, reminding us that it is our lot to sow tears. According to some authorities, this corresponds to the Orthodox epigonation (see below). Modern usage of the maniple in either church is rare. It is only used in the Roman Catholic Church when celebrating Mass according to the Tridentine Rite.
  • Amice or superhumeral, representing the helmet of salvation
  • Cincture or Girdle, typifying sacerdotal chastity. Corresponds to the Orthodox zone.
  • Humeral veil
  • Rochet
  • Chimere
  • Zucchetto - skull cap, similar to the yarmulke
  • Mitre - worn by the Pope, Cardinals and Bishops. Despite the having the same name, this does not really correspond with the Eastern mitre (see below), which has a distinct history and which was adopted much later.
  • Biretta - may be worn by clergy of all ranks except the Pope; color signifies rank.
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Used only by Roman Catholics

  • Rationale - An episcopal humeral worn over the chasuble. It is only used by the Bishops of Eichstätt, Paderborn, Toul, and Kraków.
  • Pallium - A narrow band of lamb's wool decorated with six black crosses, worn about the neck with short pendants front and back, worn by the Pope and bestowed by him on Metropolitans and Archbishops. Corresponds to the Orthodox omophorion (see below).
  • Papal tiara - formerly worn by the Pope at his coronation; it has fallen out of use but may be revived at any time when the reigning Pontiff wishes. This is strictly speaking not a vestment but an item of regalia since it was never worn for services with the exception of the blessing Urbi et Orbi.
  • Fanon - formerly worn by the Pope during solemn Pontifical High Mass. It has also fallen out of use but has not been officially abolished.
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Eastern Orthodox vestments

In the Orthodox Church, any member of the clergy, of whatever rank, will be vested when serving their particular function during the Divine Liturgy or other service. Like Roman Catholic vestments, their usage is rooted in the early history of the church. The various vestments serve several different functions. The three forms of stole (Orarion, Epitrachelion, and Omophorion) are marks of rank. The three outer garments (Sticharion, Phelonion, and Sakkos) serve to distinguish the clergy from the laity. Some are practical (Zone and Epimanikia), holding the other vestments in place. Some (Nabedrennik and Epigonation) are awards of distinction.

In addition to these functions, most vestments carry a symbolic meaning as well. These symbolic meanings are often indicated by the prayer that the priest says as he puts each item on. These prayers are verses taken directly from the Old Testament, usually the Psalms. For example, the prayer for the Sticharion is from Isaiah 61:10:

My soul will rejoice in the Lord, for he has clothed me with a garment of salvation and wrapped me in a robe of gladness; he has placed a crown on my head as on a bridegroom, and adorned me with beauty as a bride. [1]
  • Sticharion (Greek: Template:Polytonic)- Actually a form of the garment worn at baptism, this is the one vestment worn by all clergy. It is even used by non-ordained persons carrying out a liturgical function, such as an "altar boy". For priests and bishops, it is made of lightweight material, usually white. It corresponds most closely with the Western alb (see above).
  • Orarion (Greek: Template:Polytonic) - A long narrow strip of cloth worn by deacons over the left shoulder and reaching to the ankle in both front and back. It is also worn by subdeacons and, in the Greek tradition, by tonsured taper-bearers. It corresponds to the Western stole (see above).
  • Epitrachelion (Greek: Template:Polytonic), "over the neck") - This stole is worn by priests and bishops as the symbol of their priesthood. It is worn around the neck with the two adjacent sides sewn or buttoned together, leaving enough space through which to place the head. It corresponds to the Western stole (see above).
  • Epimanikia (Greek: Template:Polytonic) - Cuffs bound with laces. The deacon wears them beneath the sticharion, priests and bishops above. They are not used by any lower rank.
  • Zone (Greek: ζώνη) - Cloth belt worn by priests and bishops over the epitrachelion. Corresponds to the Western cincture (see above).
  • Phelonion (Greek: Template:Polytonic) - Large conical sleeveless garment worn by priests over all other vestments, with the front largely cut away to free the hands. Bishops may also wear the phelonion when not serving according to hierarchical rubrics. Corresponds to the Western chasuble (see above).
  • Sakkos (Greek: σάκκος) - Instead of the phelonion, the bishop usually wears the sakkos or Imperial dalmatic. This is a tunic reaching below the knees with wide sleeves and a distinctive pattern of trim. It is always buttoned up the sides.
  • Nabedrennik (Russian: набедренник) - A square or rectangular cloth suspended on the right side by two adjacent corners from a strap drawn over the left shoulder. This is a relatively recent Russian invention and is not used in the Greek tradition. It is an award, so it is not worn by all priests. Bishops do not use it.
  • Epigonation/Palitsa (Greek: Template:Polytonic) "over the knee"; Russian: палица, "club") - A stiff diamond-shaped cloth that hangs on the right side of the body; it is suspended by one corner from a strap drawn over the left shoulder. It is worn by all bishops and as an award for priests.
  • Omophorion (Greek: Template:Polytonic) - This is the distinctive episcopal vestment, a wide cloth band draped about the shoulders in a characteristic manner. It corresponds to the Western pallium (see above).
  • Mitre - The Orthodox mitre is modeled on the ancient Byzantine imperial crown; it is worn by all bishops and awarded to some high-ranking priests. The bishop's mitre is surmounted by a cross, but the priest's is not; both are bulbous and adorned with icons. [2].
  • Pectoral cross - A large cross is worn around the neck by all bishops, but not necessarily by all priests.
  • Engolpion/Panagia - Engolpion (Greek: Template:Polytonic) is a general term for something worn upon the bosom; here, it refers to a medallion with an icon in the center. A Panagia (Greek: Παναγία, All-holy, one of the titles of the Theotokos) is an engolpion with Mary as the subject of the icon; this is worn by all bishops. All primates and some bishops below primatial rank have the dignity of a second engolpion, which usually depicts Christ.
  • Mantiya (Greek: Template:Polytonic) - This is a sleeveless cape that fastens at the neck and the feet, worn by all monks. The usual monastic mantle is black; that worn by the bishop as he enters the church for a service but before he is vested is more elaborately colored and decorated. This is, strictly speaking, an item of street wear, not a vestment; however, in modern usage it is worn only in church.

Despite their often elaborate design, the vestments are generally intended to focus attention on God, and the office of the person wearing them, rather than on the person himself. It is partly for this reason that a Russian phelonion is designed with a very high back, so that when the priest is standing facing the altar his head is almost completely hidden. Other items, such as the epimanikia or cuffs, represent manacles or chains, reminding the wearer and others that their office is a position of service.

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See also

fr:Paramentique nl:Liturgische kleding

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