The Difference between a Surplice and an Alb
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Transcript of The Difference between a Surplice and an Alb
The Difference
between a
Surplice and an
Alb
The days of wondering and bewilderment are over for you,
because from this point forward, you will no longer be able
to feign plausible deniability when the question arises and
a heated debate ensues.
From this point forward, you will be the officiator of the debate, for you, yourself, will
hold the keys to the answer of the enduring question: What is the difference
between a surplice and an alb.
They’re both white garments, but the difference ends there. Actually, we’re just
kidding. The difference ends there. There is really only one difference between
them, and that has to do with the length, although there are some subtle
differences between the people that wear them and when. So, with no further ado,
here’s what gives:
- Is a long, white liturgical garment, often made from linen or other cloth
material, that reaches to the ankles.
- It has to be white, or it isn’t an alb. That’s the point. In fact, it’s very name
comes from this (alba means white in Latin)
- Sometimes albs are decorated or accented with liturgical lace and other
ornamentations.
Who wears an alb?
- As a general rule, only priests wear the alb, and they
only do so when they are officiating certain services.
- Members of the Roman Catholic Church are those who
most frequently wear the alb, although some members of
the Anglican church do as well. There are some
Protestant denominations that wear them, but this is less
common.
The Surplice:
- Is a white liturgical garment, often made from linen or
other cloth material; but it reaches onto the hips or a little
bit farther - not to the ankles. If it did it would be an alb.
- Surplices often have a square yoked neck and wide
sleeves.
- Surplices are also white.
- Like albs, they can be decorated with lace or other
features.
Who wears a surplice?
-Choristers and choir members can wear a surplice.
-It is also common for acolytes and altar servers to wear
this particular garment.
-- Sometimes priests wear it over a cassock.
In case you need it spelled out for you in utterly unambiguous terms, the difference
between a surplus and an alb is fundamentally in the length. A surplice reaches to
the hips or a little further, and an alb reaches to the ankles. In color, design,
ornamentation and construction they are otherwise the same.
If you have additional questions, or you just want to see
what types of albs and surplices you can find for sale,
check out the collection you can find for sale online at
DivinityClergyWear.com.
Divinity Clergy Wear, operating on their website listed
above and in their showroom in Hamilton, New Jersey, will
be your best asset when you’re shopping, either liturgical
vestments themselves or for information about them. Check
out their website today or give them a call at 877-453-3535
to learn more today.