Sunday 31 March 2013

It's All About Traditional Vestments

By Diane Harris


There are pictures, scriptures, items that serve as an evidence that vestments existed even before. These things have actually belonged of the religious practices of different churches. They traveled from the oldest generation to the newest generation. The clergies and the church ministries have been using these traditional vestments in serving the house of God for a long time. Even there are some innovations due to the technological development; the concept is still the same.

What are these traditional vestments that have been used by many Christian denominations?

It would be finest answered by beginning on the typical vestments used by most of the churches. First one is the pectoral cross. Different Christian churches like Roman Catholic, Anglicans, and Lutherans have been using this since before. A pectoral cross is a large cross on a chain of locket. For example, in Roman Catholic Church, pectoral cross is just worn among abbots, bishops, and some canons who were allowed by unique indult. For cardinals, they use a gold cross with a red rope while the choirs used the green rope and for house use, it is a silver cross hanging on a silver locket or chain.

Next traditional vestments are cassocks. It is a long robe that reaches the ankles. It is usually worn by the clerics of different Christian churches like Eastern Orthodox, Anglican, Roman Catholic, and Lutheran. It is normally close fitting in Western Christian, whereas it is quite loose on Eastern and Asian Orthodox Churches. Historically, it came from the Ancient Rome's tunic that was worn beneath the toga. Cassock is also called a soutane in many English-speaking nations and in Ireland. Cassocks are of little used today; however, they are greatly used in spiritual services. Until the second half of the century, it became a day-to-day closet amongst clergies.

Another example of it is vestments stoles. Stole was believed to derive from the orarium, a liturgical napkin which is really like the sudarium. The orarium was used to clean the feet of Christ's disciples, where it signifies the yoke of service during the era of Christ. Its beginning could possibly also be traced on the mark being used by the Imperial officials of the Roman Empire. The stole's usage is most likely to reveal the belongingness of the individual to an organization, along with, showing that person's rank in the group. However, unlike before, when these stoles are worn by most of individuals or even laymen, stole today is only used based on the occupation of certain courses of people.

For the headgear, mitre and zucchetto are most effectively examples for vestments. Mitre is the traditional headgear of bishops and abbots of Roman Catholic, some Lutheran, and Anglican churches. It is a sharp cap with lappets on its two sides. Occasionally, mitres have actually ornaments made from beads and rhinestones. Zucchetto is a hemispheric, small, and form-fitting skull-type of cap that is usually worn by the Pope, cardinals, and bishops. It began to exist as the Greek pilos. Its kind resembles the yarmulke of Jews but they differ on it significance.

Even traditional vestments are old currently; they still have the whole meaning like before.



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