Thursday, January 26, 2006

Bishop's Apron?

In reference to my query here, a commenter pointed me to this page, from which I took the above picture. Does the above show an Anglican Bishop in his apron?
One commenter also said:'Apron' is probably a reference to the kind of purple bib worn by some Anglican bishops. It is attached to the collar, and may look like a shirt front, but it actually only covers the front of the torso, and can be easily removed.
I'm fairly sure that's not what 'apron' means. I came across the reference to the apron in a 19th Century novel and the item of clothing described is a rabat, also known as a 'stock'. Note that a rabat can also refer to a tiny piece of cloth which a cleric wears between his collar and a white shirt when wearing a cassock. (They have a special name for that piece of cloth in Rome, but it escapes me for the moment...)

2 comments:

Anonymous said...

From http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vestment

Used only by Anglicans
Tippet
(or Preaching Scarf). Black scarf worn by bishop, priests and deacons at choir offices and other non-sacramental services.
Chimere
Red or black outer garment of bishops.
Hood
Academic hood is sometimes worn by Anglican clergy at choir offices. It is also sometimes worn by Methodists and Reformed clergy with an Academic Gown ("Geneva Gown"), though this is fairly rare.
Apron
A short cassock reaching just above the knee, worn by archdeacons (for whom it is black) and bishops (for whom it is purple). Now largely obsolete.
Gaiters
Covering of the lower leg worn by archdeacons and bishops with the apron. Black, buttoned up the sides, and worn to just below the knee. Like the apron, these, too, are largely obsolete.
Canterbury cap
a soft, square-shaped hat.

Anonymous said...

Yes, that is an apron shown in the Vanity Fair drawing---I speak as a Anglican priest of a continuing body.