It is commonly worn by altar servers, and choir members. Used by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Lutherans Surplice A white tunic worn over a cassock or habit. In house dress, it is silver with a silver chain. In choir dress the cross is gold with a green rope, red for cardinals.

In the Roman Catholic tradition it is only worn by bishops, abbots, and certain canons who are granted the use of the pectoral cross by special indult. In some traditions it is associated with bishops. Gold pectoral cross from Italy or subalpine regions, late 6th century–7th century Pectoral cross A large cross worn on a chain or necklace around the neck by clergy of many Christian denominations.

A white or off-white cassock-alb has replaced the traditional cassock and alb in some Anglican and Lutheran churches since the 1970s. It developed as a convenient undergarment (or alternative to a cassock at the Eucharist) worn by clergy and as an alternative to the alb for deacons and acolytes. Cassock-alb or cassalb is a relatively modern garment and is a combination of the traditional cassock and alb. Most closely corresponds to the Orthodox sticharion (see below). Alb The common garment of any ministers at the eucharist, worn over a cassock. Corresponds to the Orthodox orarion and epitrachelion (see below). In modern usage, it is common for both bishops and priests to wear the stole uncrossed. Traditionally, this was done by priests when wearing Eucharistic vestments, whereas bishops always wore it uncrossed (as possessing the fullness of the priesthood). It may be crossed in the front and secured with the cincture. Deacons wear it draped across the left shoulder diagonally across the body to the right hip while priests and bishops wear it draped around the back of the neck. Gold-embroidered epitrachilion (stole) dating from 1600, in the Benaki Museum, Athens Stole The long, narrow strip of cloth draped around the neck, a vestment of distinction, a symbol of ordination. In other traditions, there is no specific name for this attire, although it often takes the form of a Geneva gown worn with or without preaching bands and a stole or preaching scarf. Non-Eucharistic vestments are typically referred to as ' choir dress' or 'choir habit' in the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches, because they are worn for the chanting of the Daily Office, which, in the West, takes place in the choir rather than the sanctuary. This ordinary wear does not constitute liturgical vestment, but simply acts as a means of identifying the wearer as a member of the clergy or a religious order.Ī distinction is often made between the type of vestment worn for Holy Eucharist or Holy Communion and that worn for other services. In the case of members of religious orders, non-liturgical wear includes a religious habit. This generally consists of a clerical collar, clergy shirt, and (on certain occasions) a cassock. In some, clergy are directed to wear special clerical clothing in public at all, most, or some times. The rubrics (regulations) for the type of vestments to be worn vary between the various communions and denominations. The resulting varieties of liturgical dress are described below. The Church of England experienced its own controversies over the proper use of vestments. The Reformation brought about a new approach towards simplicity, especially under the influence of Calvinism. The Catholic Church's vestments had essentially established their final forms by the 13th century. Having separate, consecrated clothing for the ceremonies and rites in the churches emphasized the sacred nature of the functions the priest and ministers carried out at the altar. From the 4th century onward, however, modifications began to be made to the form of the garments, and as secular fashions changed from the 6th century the church retained the original forms of their garments, although with separate development and with regional variations. In the early Christian churches, officers and leaders, like their congregations, wore the normal dress of civil life in the Greco-Roman world, although with an expectation that the clothing should be clean and pure during holy observances. Main article: Origins of ecclesiastical vestments

Firelords vestaments xmog