What in the World?     Alb   The word alb comes from the Latin alba, or white. The garment derives from the Roman tunica alba, a simple undergarment, with or without sleeves, usually girdled, that was the common garment of both sexes and all classes in first century Rome. Its white linen, sleeved version was the proper "shirt" of third and fourth century statesmen, and quickly became the clothing choice for clergy in the early church. The alb symbolizes holy simplicity and purity as reflected in several Bible verses, such as the dazzling white clothes of the transfigured Jesus (Luke 9:29) and the white robes of the saints in Revelation (7:13-14) Today, the alb is worn by ministers, lay and ordained, at the Eucharist, serving to conceal their street clothes and remind them of the sanctity of their work.   Click for Large Image   Bishop's Chair   This is where the bishop sits when he visits the parish. Actually, it is misnamed, since the only true "bishop's chair" or "bishop's throne" is permanently located in his cathedral. When the bishop is not present, this chair is used by the officiating priest.   Click for Large Image   Burse   The burse is a square envelope-like case that is placed on top of the veiled chalice on the altar for Holy Eucharist. It matches the chalice veil and holds extra purificators and the linen post-communion veil, which will cover any consecrated wafers and wine left over after Holy Communion.   Click for Large Image   Chasuble   The chasuble (CHAH-zuh-bel) is the principal vestment for the Holy Eucharist liturgy. The word Chasuble comes from the Latin casula, "little house" or "tent", descriptive of its shape. It derived from the outer cloak that Romans wore for protection from the weather. Initially a garment of the lower classes, the cloak became the fashion among Roman citizens in the fourth century and replaced the toga; by the sixth century it was a symbol of prestige. Church leaders continued to wear it even when worldly fashions changed. At first, all clergy wore chasubles (probably white wool), but gradually the use became limited to the chief celebrant at the Eucharist. Oval in shape and sleeveless, the chasuble is worn by the celebrating priest over the alb and stole. The celebrant may put on the chasuble immediately before the Great Thanksgiving (during the offeratory) or may wear it throughout the service.   Click for Large Image   Chalice Veil   The chalice veil is a square covering of silk or brocade in the color of the day or season, matching the altar hangings and the priest's vestments. It drapes over the chalice and paten for the Holy Eucharist and originated from the medieval practice of concealing the sacred vessels as they were carried to and from the altar.   Click for Large Image   Ciborium   The ciborium (sih-BOR-ee-um) is a tall covered vessel (similar in shape to the chalice) that holds the wafers for the Holy Eucharist. The use of the ciborium (and of the smaller "bread box", which does not have a stem or pedestal) depends on local practice. Both are designed to hold wafers, and are too small to hold amy other kind of bread. Either may be used to bring the wafers to the altar in the offertory procession or to hold the reserved sacrament. Both are traditionally made of silver or gold, but they may be made of other materials, such as wood, glass, pewter, or earthenware. For a better look at the ciborium, check the glass-sided wooden box in the Narthen before the church service.   Click for Large Image   Cincture (or Girdle)   The terms "cincture" (SINK-chur) and "girdle" are used interchangeably, although the cincture is traditionally the black belt worn over the cassock, while the girdle is the soft white cotton rope worn over the alb. The rope was a common Roman accessory, facilitating walking with ease when the tunic or alb became floor length. Many religious orders wear cinctures/girdles as a sign of their vows. The Franciscan cincture, for example, has three knots tied to its ends signifying the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. The cincture worn at the Eucharist connotes the priest's spiritual focus on the Lord's service alone.   Click for Large Image   Cruet   The cruets are the small glass pitchers that hold the wine and water for Holy Eucharist.   Click for Large Image   Frontal   From the Latin frontilia, the frontal is the floor-length altar covering that is usually in the color of the day or season. Originally, altars were completely draped in rich cloth, but when they were placed against the wall in the Middle Ages, the drapes were reduced to richly ornamented bands extending across the front of the altar. Today, churches use a variety of styles of frontals and some altars are left unadorned.   Click for Large Image   Lavabo Bowl and Towel   Just before the Great Thanksgiving, the priest washes his or her fingers in a ceremonial act known as lavabo (lah-VAH-boh). The lavabo ceremony is ancient, originating at the time when priests received all sorts of gifts from the people at the offertory and really needed to wash their hands before blessing and breaking the bread! The deacon or acolyte pours water from the water cruet over the priest's hands and excess water is caught in the small lavabo bowl. The priest then dries his or her hands with the lavabo towel.   Click for Large Image   Lectern   The lectern (from the Latin word "to read") is always on the right as we face the altar. This is sometimes called the "epistle side". The Old Testament reading, the psalm and the epistle are read from the lectern. Lecterns may be very plain or richly ornamented. Many lecterns are in the shape of an eagle holding the book or papers on its outstretched wings.   Click for Large Image   Paschal Candle   The Paschal candle is the large white candle that symbolizes our Lord's glorious Easter triumph over death and sin. It has been used in worship since the fifth century and is the largest candle in the church. Some great Paschal candles in church history have weighed 300 pounds and some candle stands were ten feet tall. The candle is lit by the fire newly kindled at the Great Vigil of Easter, then carried in procession to its stand in the front of the church to burn during every service until Pentecost symbolizing Christ's resurrected presence. At other times of the year, it is lighted for Holy Baptism and funerals. If you look closely at the candle, you will see that it is decorated with a cross, the numerals of the current year (e.g., "2007"), and the symbols alpha and omega. Five wax "nails" are also inserted in the candle symbolizing the crown of thorns, the nails in Christ's hands and feet, and the wound in His side.   Click for Large Image   Paten   The paten (PATT-en) is a small plate or shallow dish of silver, gold or ceramic. It holds the bread or wafers for Holy Communion. Although the rubric implies that the bread is placed directly on the altar, the custom of providing some container for the bread developed in the early days of the church. It was once though that the bread could rest only on silver or gold, but patens today may be of other materials as well.   Click for Large Image   Purificator   The purificator is a small linen napkin used to wipe the rim of the Chalice during the Holy Eucharist. It is embroidered with a tiny cross either in the center or on one edge.   Click for Large Image   Retable   The retable (also called a "gradine") is the shelf behind the altar, meant to hold the altar cross, the flowers, and (in some churches) candles. This beautiful marble piece is actually the former altar in our church, and the "original" retable was just the upper shelf. Today, we refer to the entire structure as the retable, and it also holds the Gospel book and reserve sacrament.   Click for Large Image   Stole   The stole is the long narrow band of fabric that the clergy wear around the neck. It evolved from the Roman orarium, a large napkin carried by roman servants over the left shoulder to clean a variety of vessels. In the early church the deacon carried the orarium to cleanse Eucharistic vessels and to wipe the minister's face and hands. Later, at a time when the Roman emperor used the orarium to signal the beginning of games or for applause during games, the bishop adopted the stole to signify his authority. By the seventh century in the south and the eleventh century in the north, the stole was used by bishops, priests, and deacons, and was given to all orders of the clergy at the time of ordination. The way in which it is worn and its particular style denote one's office or position. The bishop wears the stole pendant style (that is, hanging straight down from the neck), the priest may wear it either crossed in front or pendant style, and the deacon wears it over the left shoulder.   Click for Large Image     Saint James Episcopal Church • Monkton, Maryland 21111 • 410-771-4466 © 2007 Saint James Episcopal Church