A surplice is a liturgical vestment. There’s your introduction, but you probably already knew that and were really looking for more information, like, for example, what exactly is a Surplice, when is it used, and how is it different from other similar vestments like albs? Those are all good questions, and we can hopefully help with some of them.
To anyone unfamiliar with liturgical vestments it can be fairly difficult to distinguish between them and tell them apart, especially when some of them are only slightly differentiated from each other and are featured in so many different colors.
At its most basic a surplice is a vestment of the Western Church. Typically, they are in the form of a tunic of white linen or cotton, reach to the knees or ankles and sport fairly wide sleeves. In the Anglican church surplices typically had open sleeves and reached almost to the ground. In the Roman Catholic Church, surplices were typically somewhat shorter. Many times, a surplice features lace decoration. As for the nature and significance of the color of white, like many other liturgical garments, they are given to represent the purity of the people who wear them or the purity of divine love.
Surplices contrast with the alb, which is another white garment that is typically girded by a cincture and is worn by ministers. Then alb symbolizes innocence and purity which is why it is typically worn by the ministers in a mass. Although their uses vary slightly by denomination and a few other considerations come into effect as well, surplices are a common sight in many churches.
Because surplices are so commonly paired with cassocks, it’s quite common to see them paired together for sale. For example, if you visit DivinityClergywear.com in search of surplices or other vestments for your clergymen, you’ll find a few options paired with cassocks and other vestments.
For example, Divinity Clergywear sells a Class A Vestment that includes 6 pieces. The package contains an Anglican cassock, a matching cincture belt, a white surplice with traditional clerical lace, a black tippet and a 36-inch cord with a silver cross.
They also offer an option included in their GCPE Approved COGIC Official Class A Vestment that includes 7 pieces. In this package are an Anglican cassock and cincture, a white surplice with lace, a black tippet with the seal of the Church Of God In Christ, and a 36-inch black cord with a silver cross.
If, however, you are only looking for a surplice without having to purchase a package, Divinity Clergywear can set you up with that. Especially if members of your clergy will be wearing a one but do not need any additional vestments, they offer the piece itself. Their Surplice with Lace is the ideal solution for both men and women and is attractively finished. This particular unit offers a squared yoke neck and straight sleeves with lace integrated into its design.
These are a few of the offerings that you will find at DivintyClergywear.com, but if you have additional questions regarding vestments or their uses, give them a call at 877-453-3535.
