FAQ: Anglican Vestments

FAQ: Anglican Vestments

Rev. Sarah has fielded many questions about the Anglican vestments that we saw during the ordination rites at the Cathedral. Excellent questions! Here’s a quick run-down of the various layers of Anglican clergy dress:

The alb is the simple, white, ankle-length robe, worn as the base vestment. The word comes from the Latin albus, meaning white. Albs originated with the white tunics worn by first-century Romans and adopted by the early church for liturgical use. Albs are especially used during Eucharistic services; black cassocks with white surplices are more typically worn for services without the Eucharist.  Albs come in a variety of cuts and collar styles (cowl, stand-up etc.) and can be hooded or unhooded, trimmed with lace or plain, very much at the wearer’s discretion and the liturgical style of the parish.

The cincture is the rope belt, symbolizing purity, readiness, and discipline.

The stole is the scarf-like vestment, the emblem of clergy office. Decorated in liturgical colours, the stole is worn over the alb for Holy Eucharist. Deacons wear the stole on their left shoulder, crossed diagonally over the chest, and priests and bishops wear the stole around the neck, each end hanging parallel in front to the knees.

The chasuble is a decorative vestment, similar to a poncho. A sleeveless, round/oval piece of fabric with a hole for the head, they range from simple to ornate and were revived in Anglicanism in the 1800s. Derived from the ancient Roman casula (an outer travelling garment), the chasuble is worn almost exclusively during the Eucharist, denoting solemnity. Only priests and bishops may wear chasubles, and vesting with the stole and chasuble is an intrinsic part of the ordination rite. Chasubles are the top layer of vestments at the Eucharist, matching the colour of the liturgical calendar, with alb and stole underneath. The degree and style of decoration is a matter of personal preference, and St. Catherine’s is fortunate to have some lovely ones made by our former liturgical arts volunteers that fit well with the mid-century modern feel of our church.

More rarely seen: archdeacons, deans, bishops, and archbishops wear elaborate copes (capes) on the most formal liturgical occasions, and you will see bishops wearing the chimere, a long open vest, over the rochet with puffy sleeves. Of course, bishops are distinguished by the mitre (the pointy hat), crozier (staff), large pectoral cross on a chain around the neck, and the purple/violet colour of their shirts and cassocks. A few Anglican clergy favour the zucchetto, an eight-panel skull cap, and it’s rare but not completely unheard of to see a three-winged biretta on the head of an Anglican priest with strong fashion flair!