Vestment

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 English Reformation.

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.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Used by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Protestants

• Surplice - A decorative white tunic worn over the cassock in place of an alb.
• Stole - A long, narrow strip of cloth draped around the neck, a vestment of distinction, a symbol of immortality. 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).

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).

Used by Roman Catholics and Anglicans

• 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).
• Amice, 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 - worn by clergy of all ranks except the Pope.

Used only by Roman Catholics

• 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.