VESTMENTS AND INSIGNIA, ECCLESIASTICAL.
I. Introduction: The clerical vestments and adornments in Roman Catholic use are almost entirely of ancient and secular origin. Until recent years their historical foundation was sought in the Old-Testament worship; but now research has discovered a different origin; yet this fact has not entirely abrogated the symbolism which attaches to ecclesiastical garments and insignia. The Church before the age of Constantine knew no distinction between secular and religious dress, although it may be understood that the latter was dignified
and rich; this is proved by representations in the catacombs. But the growth of the authority 'of the clergy, within and without the Church, the increasing esteem for the liturgy and its progressive development, and, not least, the continuous specialization of official dress, all combined to favor the use of richer and more varied materials and the marking of differences of rank among the clergy like that which obtained among secular officials; still, there was no question of a class distinction. The ecclesiastical garb first became peculiar in a strict sense when, under the influence of the migration of the Germanic tribes, the costumes as well as the forms of the ancient world passed away and the more convenient medieval dress was substituted, while the Church-and for a longer or shorter period, the upper classes and the higher officials also-clung to Roman or Greek fashions. Under the influence of the discovery by the liturgists of a supposed connection of the liturgical costume with that of Old Testament worship, and then through the effect of custom and of the fashions of the beginning of the Middle Ages, a development was initiated, which did not indeed do away with the traditional usage, but transformed it more or less. Nevertheless, the history of ecclesiastical vestments in the Middle Ages shows no sharp divisions. The Renaissance and rococo periods, on the other hand, strongly asserted their peculiar taste. In the Greek Church the movement was much less marked. The Evangelical churches broke with the mode of dress which expressed the priestly and hierarchic character of the clergy, and found a modest substitute. Monuments are in this investigation s safer guide than literary sources. Yet a positive chronology can not, in many cases, be fixed for the historical evolution, and this is explained by the fact that this evolution did not everywhere follow along the same lines.
II. In the Roman Catholic Church.-1. Ordinary Vestments: A starting-point is found in the vestments worn by the priest at the celebration of the mass. The assumption of the separate garments takes place according to ecclesiastical rules in a fixed order, which this discussion follows: (1) The Amice (amictus, humerale, more rarely superhumeraZe) is an oblong linen cloth (at least thirty-two inches long and twenty-four wide), which is first placed upon the head and then brought down and drawn about the neck where it is fastened with cords. Originally it served as a head-covering for the priest; at present only a few orders wear it over the head on the way to and from the altar. The existence of the smite can be proved only since the end of the eighth century, and it is probably referable to some ancient priestly ceremonies. Its reference to the ephod of the Old Testament (q.v.) is purely arbitrary, as is the symbolieal.interpretation [faith] of liturgical writers; the attempt to explain it as a neck-cloth to protect the garment which rests upon it from perspiration is unsatisfactory. As long as the smite was worn upon the head or even projected above the other garments, embroidery or other ornamentation might be shown on it; but it gradually became hidden beneath the other vestments, so that at present only a cross is required;
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this is kissed by the priest when he assumes the
vestment. (2) The Alb is identical with the light
tunic of antiquity, more precisely with the white
tunic with sleeves (tunics manicata) which came
down to the feet (tunics talaris, poderis, Gk, pod-eyes,
chiton). Even into the Carolingian period this was
ordinarily worn by the clergy as a part of the ordinary dress. The exclusion of the tunic from daily
use raised the alb to the dignity of a specific liturgical garment. Apart from its cut and color, its
origin is recalled by the strips of purple or of cloth
of gold which were sewed on (clavi, forum; hence
the names albce monolores, dilores, trilores), with
other ornamental pieces of colored stuffs (paraturce,
parurce), in the form of a square or an oblong;
as there were five of these, a connection was
found with the five wounds of Christ (cf. the designations plagce, plaguhe). In addition, further
ornamentation, even complete pictures, came to
be applied. After the sixteenth century a strong
reaction set in; laces and edgings came into use.
Recently linen lace is required and linen is also
prescribed for the garment itself. The alb is
worn by the clerics ranking not lower than subdeacon. [The symbolism is purity and innocence.]
(3) The Cincture (cingulum, cinctorium, balteus)
is required by the form of the alb. Linen is preferred, although wool and silk are not excluded.
In the Middle Ages the cincture was often a splendid decoration of the higher clergy, and was
richly ornamented with gold, silver, and precious
stones. (4) The Maniple (mappula, manipulus,
fanon) is a narrow strip of material similar to
the stole (see below), worn over the left forearm
or upper arm; formerly, the ends hung down freely,
now, however, they are sewed together. The material was originally linen, but at present it is the
same as that of the chasuble (see below). The rich
ornamentation of the maniple usual in the Middle
Ages, when it was longer, has now almost disappeared. Not more than three crosses are required,
while one satisfies the rubric. It is worn by bishops,
priests, deacons, and subdeacons, and, as a rule,
only during the office of the mass. The origin of
this vestment, the liturgical use of which can be
proven from the eighth or ninth century, is not
certain. It is commonly regarded as having been
originally a handkerchief; recently an attempt has
been made to connect it with the arm-bands worn
by the assistants at the heathen sacrifices. [The
symbolism is strength, endurance.] (5) The Stole
(orarium) is a long narrow strip of fabric, which,
hanging from the neck, falls down right and left
over the breast. During the celebration of mass,
the bands are crossed in front, the bishop alone
wears them hanging parallel; the deacon, who may
wear the stole at greater functions, may only bear
it on the left shoulder. The material is usually the
same as that of the chasuble. The ornament tion
was generally confined to embroidered Latin crosses;
in the episcopal stoles, however, it was often very
elaborate. The little bells which are sometimes
found on the lower edge are based on
article of female apparel. The parallel orariumsudarium shows clearly that the stole comes from the handkerchief which was worn around the -neck or the arm in ancient time. [The symbolism is patience.] (6) The Chasuble, the special priestly vestment for the mass, was at first a long sleeveless mantle provided with an opening in the center to admit the head. It was originally worn in ancient times by people of the lower orders, but it gradually found entrance into other circles and so reached the monks and the clergy. The historical development of the alb raised this article, about the begining of the Middle Ages, to the rank of an exclusively liturgical garment for the priesthood, after it had been used for a time in other than clerical circles. This dedication to liturgical purposes necessitated some modifications; for instance, the mantle was shortened, and it was provided with drawing-strings and slits at the sides. During and after the Renaissance the chasuble was deformed into the present tasteless, stiff, bass-viol form, $o that both parts, loosely connected, lay on the breast and the back. In the earlier Middle Ages wool was almost exclusively the material. The influence of Gothic art led to the more frequent use of silk and this became the rule in the fifteenth century. In the beginning white was in general use, but, gradually a gradation of colors for various times and festivals was established (see Symbolism, Ecclesiastical, II., § 7). The ornamentation was confined in older times to a band edging the head-opening and running down on breast and back. Additions were the furcated cross, leaf patterns, armorial bearings, figures, and scenes. Hand in hand with this went the costly decoration with gold, silver, and jewels. The chasuble now in common use is distinguished by a Latin cross on both sides. Common fabrics-linen, cotton, or especially coarse woolen stuffs-are now forbidden. [The symbolism is charity.] (7) The Cope (Pluvial) was in antiquity an open mantle with a hood, cappa, and came in from secular use. It seems to have been especially worn by the canons in the choir (cappa choralis); it recommended itself for processions also a$ a protection against inclement weather (cappa pluvialis, pallium pluviale, whence the designation pluviale). It found its way into liturgic use and became obligatory for special services, e.g., vespers (vesper-mantle). It also developed into an episcopal robe of state (cappa pontif calls) with elaborate ornamentation. The cope resembles the chasuble, but is open in front and is held together on the breast by a clasp. Toward the Middle Ages the hood gradually disappeared and was finally transformed into a small piece of cloth with decoration (clipeus), which hung down the back. On the other hand, a train was later added to the episcopal cope. (8) The Dabnatic was introduced from Dalmatia, and resembled the tunic, though it was more elaborate; it was much favored by the higher classes. When it passed out of general use, toward the beginning of the Middle Ages, the Church retained it as a vestment for deacons and bishops especially, to whom its use was eventually confined. The sleeves and skirt were shortened and the sides were more and more cut out. On the other hand, the strips which were sewed on (clavi) and the color
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(white) remained. The episcopal dahnatic especially was often the object of costly art-workmanship. The Tunicle (tunicella), which is assigned to the subdeacon, differs but little [if at all] from the dalmatic. (9) The Surplice or Cotta, a convenient garment for liturgical purposes, permissible to all the clergy, was created from the alb (which became restricted to use at mass) by shortening and simplification. The designation superpelliceum comes from the old custom, especially common in monastic circles, of wearing a linen garment over the fur coats necessitated by the long services. The material is linen. Alongside of the comfortable, widearmed surplice there exists as a variety the closefitting Rochet (rochetum, from roccus, " coat "), a privilege of the higher clergy, although it was worn in many regions by the common clergy also. Lay ministrants (sacristans, choir-boys) are also permitted the use of the surplice. The decoration was generally modest and usually confined to an embroidered hem. From the Renaissance period laces were used. [The symbolism is like that of the chasuble.] (10) The Biretta (birretum) used to protect the head, which was rendered especially sensitive by the tonsure, was small and soft at first, and was made larger only after the fifteenth century, when it was given its present stiff, four-cornered shape.
2. Special
Vestments and Insignia:
The pontifical robes of the bishops include the above-mentioned vestments. The higher orders have vestments and insignia as follows: (11) The episcopal
shoes and
stockings. At the beginning of the Middle
Ages the shoes (sandalia, calceamenta) belonged to
the general liturgical attire; from the tenth or
eleventh century, these and the stockings combined
with them (caligce)-of linen, later of silk-are a
prerogative of the bishops. The usual color is violet. (12) The gloves (chirotecce, manias) are not
proved to have been in use before the twelfth century; until the fourteenth century they were of
white or red silk, after this the liturgical colors appear. The rim was gradually enlarged to resemble
a gauntlet. The oldest and most characteristic
ornament is the
circulus
aureus on the upper part
of the palm, a gold-embroidered or metal disk, with
a figure (Iamb, cross, etc.) and precious stones.
From the sixteenth century, the woven glove came
into use and the shape was developed mainly after
the model of the dress glove. (13) The Ring (annulus episcopalis) can be proven to have been among
the episcopal insignia from an early period. At the
mass, the bishop wears it over the pontifical glove
on the fourth finger of the right hand. Other clerical dignitaries who are privileged to wear a ring
must lay it aside on this occasion. According to
rule, this ring should consist of a simple gold circlet
with a single stone, but numerous rich and elaborate specimens are found. (14) The Rational (rationale; cf.
after an ancient garment; it is, however, certain that the breast-plate of the high-priest and the Ephod (q.v.) were factors in its evolution. (15) The Pectoral Cross (crux pectbralis), which arose from the custom of wearing a cross upon the breast, which according to common opinion acquired a peculiar prophylactic power by means of a relic, was restricted in the Middle Ages to the bishops, who employed this cross, even apart from ecclesiastical ceremonies, as one of the insignia of their dignity. The material is gold. (16) The Miter (mitra, mitre, infula) is the liturgical head-covering of the bishops, including the pope. It is not possible to prove its existence with certainty before the tenth century. The form has passed through many variations. At first it was a round cap fitting the head closely with a brow band and ribbons falling down on the back of the neck. The miter soon developed into a biretta with edges turned up sharply; it then received a tall peaked termination and finally assumed an oval form. An ornamental band, decorated in special cases with precious metals and stones, surrounds the lower rim, a second vertical one divides the breadth. The fabric is also embroidered with designs and figures. The material is silk; only at councils are linen miters prescribed for the bishops, in order to distinguish them from the cardinals. (17) The Crozier (pedum, pastorale, virga) had its origin in the conception of the pastoral office of the bishops in connection with the idea of domination. This emblem is unknown to Christian antiquity, only at the beginning of the Middle Ages are traces of its use encountered. At first it seems to have been a staff with a straight handle, but at~an early period alongside of this appeared the crook bent like a chamois-horn. In the course of the Romanic period, this takes on a bolder curve and is combined with designs and figures; the termination of a snake's or dragon's head was much favored. As material, ivory was used; in the Gothic ,period, gilded copper was substituted for the staff and precious metal for the crook. At the same time, Gothic art applies its architectural symbolism and gives the preference to figure-decoration, to scenes from the life of Mary and from the legends of the saints. Fine goldsmith-work now appears. The Renaissance and the rococo periods retain the fundamental form, but the characteristic taste of these periods was asserted in many essential details. The small linen cloth which is attached to the staff just below the crook (pannisellus, sudarium) was probably intended originally for a handkerchief; later it disappeared from the episcopal staff and remained on the abbot's staff, as a distinguishing mark (abbots, as also abbesses, bore the crozier). This emblem, however, is only permitted to the bishop within his diocese. Bishops' and abbots' croziers, from the Middle Ages, have been preserved in great numbers, even from early Romanic times, when the custom existed of laying them in the graves of their owners. (18) The Pallium (q.v.) consists of a white woolen band about three inches wide, interwoven with six black silk crosses; it encircles the shoulders, one band falling upon the breast and the other upon the back. Gold pins fasten it to the vestment beneath. It is
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at his consecration as his personal property, and is therefore often found in bishops' graves; the material is ivory, often richly carved. Christian antiquity knows nothing of this article.
III. In the Greek Church: The history of liturgical and clerical vestments in Greek Christianity records but little change. The results already attained by the end of Christian antiquity were but little enriched. This fact corresponds with the conservative character of the Greek Church. Nevertheless, it appears that in the course of the Middle Ages slight Latin influences were active. Besides this, the relationship or correspondence between the two churches can be explained from the common origin of clerical vestments.
The liturgical vestments of the priest are composed of the following articles: the Sticharion, a long, white, flowing garment of heavy gold-embroidered silk, which corresponds to the alb or the dalmatic of the Latins; the Zone, a girdle for drawing in the sticharion, more richly decorated than in the West; the Epimanikia, gauntlets, which serve the purpose of fastening the sticharion at the wrists; the Peritrachelion (Epitrachelion), a silken band, ornamented with golden crosses or in some other way, which encircles the neck, its fringed ends hanging down to the feet; it is the stole of the Latins and like the latter of antique origin; for the epitrachelion of the deacon, the Hellenized Latin word orarium was employed; the Phelonion, the massvestment properly so called, had the same origin as the chasuble, but here the earliest form has remained. With a simple opening for the head, it hangs in folds about the body. It is commonly made of silk, is richly embroidered with crosses, and is subject to the liturgical change of color. The Hypogonation, a sack of a square form with a cross or a sacred image as ornament, worn at the left side, is only an honorary distinction, and does not belong to the ecclesiastical costume. The liturgical vestments of the bishops were the same; but peculiar to them are the Omophorion, the Greek pallium, quite similar to the Latin, and the angular, stiff sack, hypogonation, worn on.the right. The origin of the latter, which the bishops received at consecration, is doubtful. The bishop's breast is decorated with a valuable cross and with a medallion bearing a sacred image (panagia). His office is indicated by the staff (rhabdos), whose crook is turned upward. Further, one of the insignia of the bishop is the miter, a low cap resembling a crown, covered with artistic embroidery, precious stones, and gold ornaments; above it rises a cross. The metropolitans and the patriarchs wear instead of the phelonion the Sakkos, a richly embroidered, close-fitting garment with wide sleeves. The nonliturgical dress of the priests and bishops consists of a long, black coat of many folds and a cylindrical hat, which is lower in the case of the lesser clergy. The bishops up to the patriarchs inclusive wear besides this a large mantle (mandyas), open in front and fastened by clasps; the hem is adorned with cross-stripes and the corners with pieces of colored cloth sewn on. The patriarch has also the right to two crosses; his hood-like head-covering recalls the monastic class from which he comes. Over this he
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zerland, considerable differences also show themselves. However, since the surplice of to-day was prescribed in Prussia by a royal ordinance of Jan. 1, 1811, in which way the gown came to life again, unity was much favored, and it is again as complete as in the sixteenth century. At the same time the stiff biretta, resembling a hat, reappeared. The surplice still survives as a relic of the Middle Ages in some Evangelical churches of Germany. On the other hand, in the Danish, Norwegian, and Swedish churches, it is a permanent part of the liturgical dress. The Anglican church has kept in closer touch with the past (see Ritualism).
Bibliography: Notable patristic contributions to the sub ject are: Isidore of Seville. O,giciorum Zibri II., and Ety mologiarum . . . libri xx.; Walafrid Strabo, De ecclesi asEicarum rerum exordiis et incrementis; Amalarius of Metz, Dg ecclesiasticis officiis; Rabanus Maurus, De sacris ordinibus, aacramentis divinis et veat6mentis sacerdotalibus; Pseudo-Alcuin, De divinis officiia, in MPL, ci. 1174 sqq.; No of Chartres, Sermo de signifecatione indumentorum sacerdotalium, in MPL, clxii. 519 sqq.; Hugo of St. Vic tor, Sermo de vestibus sacris, in MPL, clxxvii. 927 sqq.; Honorius of Autun, Gemma animee, in MPL, elxxii. 543 sqq.; and Innocent III., De sacro altaris mysterio, in MPL, cexvii. 780 sqq. Consult further: E. von Muralt, Lexidion der morgenlandischen Kirche, Leipsic, 1838; J. M. Neale, Hist. of the Holy Eastern Church, London, 1850; F. Bock, Geschichte der liturgischen GewEander des Mittel alters, 3 vols., Bonn, 1859-71; A. W. Pugin, Glossary of Ecclesiaatical Ornament and Costume, London, 1859; H. Weiss, Kostiimkunde, Stuttgart, 1859 sqq.; K. J. Hefele, Beiträge zur Kirchengeschichte, Archaeologie and Liturgic, Vol. ii., Tübingen, 1864; A. Dolby, Church Vestments, their Origin, Use, and Ornament, London, 1868; W. B. Marriott, Vestiarium Christianum: The original and grad ual Development of the Dress of the Holy Ministry in the Church, ib. 1868; R. Garrueei, Stoma dells ante cristiantt, Prato, 1873 sqq.; J. A. blartigny, Dictionnaire des anti quites chrétiennes, part iii., new ed., Paris, 1877; J. von HefnerAlteneek, Trachten, Kunstwerke and GerBtschaften vom friihen Mittelalter, 2d ed., Frankfort, 1880 sqq.; A. Kretschmar and C. Rohrbach, Die Traehten der Volker, 2d ed., Leipsic, 1880-82; M. H. Bloxam, Principles of Gothic Ecclesiastical Architecture, Vol. iii., London, 1882; C. Rohault de Fleury, La Messe. Etudes archeologiques, 8 vols., Paris, 1883 sqq. (indispensable, especially vols. vii.-viii.); A. P. Stanley, Christian Institutions, chap. Via., London, 1884; V. Thalhofer, Handbuch der katho lischen Liturgik, i. 856 sqq., Freiburg, 1887; A. Riegl, Die Sgyptischen TextiLfunde, Vienna, 1889; R. Forrer, Die Grdber- and TeztiZfunde in Aehmim-Panopolis, Strasburg, 1891; idem, Römische and byzantische Seiden-Teztilien aus . . Achmim-Panopolis, ib. 1891; W. Lockhart, The Chasuble: its Form and Size, London, 1891; L. Clugnet. Dictionnaire grec-fransais des name liEurgiques . . daps l'Eglise grecque, Paris, 1595; O. J. Reichel, English Litur gical Vestments in 13th Century, London, 1895; J. K. Boyle, Ecclesiastical Vestments: their Origin and Significance, ib. 1896; R. A. S. Maealiater, Ecclesiastical Vestments, their Development and History, ib. 1896; J. Braun, Die Iil urgische Gewandung im Occident and Orient, Freiburg, 1901; G. S. Tyack, Historic Dress of the Clergy, London, 1897; W. Durand, The Sacred Vestments, an English rendering of the Third Book of the Rationale divinorum officiorum, with notes by T. H. Passmore, ib. 1899; J. M. B. Clause, Rabat and Chorrock, Strasburg, 1909; L. Duchesne, Chris tian Worship, passim, London, 1904; F. Procter and W. H. Frere, New Hist. of the Book of Common Prayer, ib. 1905; M. IaeColl, The Royal Commission and the Orna ments Rubric, ib. 1906; J. H. Blunt, Annotated Book of Common Prayer, pp. 67-80, new issue, New York, 1908: P. Dearmer, The Ornaments of the Minister, London, 1908: H. Wilson, Why and Wherefore, Milwaukee, 1909 (deals with ornaments, vestments, and ritual); Mann, Popes. i. 413-419 (on the gallium).
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