Cope 497736 222578767 2008-06-30T02:32:05Z 194.29.195.208 [[fi:Kuorikaapu]] {{about|religious garments}} [[Image:Koorkap kaproen.jpg|thumb|275px|right|Finely embroidered cope, [[Saint Bavo Cathedral]], [[Ghent]], 15th century. Note the shield-shaped "hood".]] The '''cope''' (Known in Latin as '''pluviale''' 'rain coat' or '''cappa''' 'cape') is a liturgical [[vestment]], which may conveniently be described as a very long mantle or cloak, open in front and fastened at the breast with a band or clasp. It may be of any [[liturgical colours|liturgical colour]]. A '''cope''' may be worn by any rank of the clergy. If worn by a [[bishop]] it should be accompanied by a [[Mitre]]. The often highly ornamented [[clasp]] is called a [[morse]]. ==History== As existing monuments show, such as pictorial representations or antique copes which still survive, there has been little change in the character of the vestment from the earliest ages. Then as now it was made of a piece of [[silk]] or cloth of semicircular shape, which differed it from the earlier form of [[chasuble]], as a chasuble had straight edges sewn together in front, whilst they were not so for the cope. The most conspicuous external modification which the cope has undergone, during the past thousand years and more, lies in a certain divergence in the shape of the hood, which, after all, is not in any way an essential part of the vestment. In some early examples only a triangular hood, which was no doubt intended to be of practical utility in covering the head in processions etc., but over time the hood shrunk into a mere ornamental appendage, and it is quite commonly represented by a sort of shield of embroidery, artificially stiffened and sometimes adorned with a fringe, the whole being fastened by buttons or by some other device to the back, below the broad [[orphrey]] which usually forms an upper border to the whole. The fact that in many early chasubles, as depicted in the drawings of the eighth and ninth centuries, we see clear traces of a primitive hood, thus bearing out the explicit statement upon the point of [[Saint Isidore of Seville]], strongly confirms the view that in their origin cope and chasuble were identical, the chasuble being only a cope with its edges sewn together. The earliest mention of a ''cappa'' is by [[St. Gregory of Tours]], and in the ''Miracula'' of St. Furseus where it seems to mean a cloak with a hood. So from a letter written in 787 by [[Theodemar]], [[Benedictine]] [[Abbot]] of [[Monte Cassino]], in answer to a question of [[Charlemagne]] about the dress of the [[monk]]<ref>See ''[[Mon. Germ. Hist.]]'': "Epist. Carol.", II, 512.</ref> we learn that what in Gaul was styled ''cuculla'' ([[cowl]]) was known to the Cassinese monks as ''cappa''. Moreover the word occurs more than once in [[Alcuin]]'s correspondence, apparently as denoting a garment for everyday wear. When Alcuin twice observes about a ''casula'' which was sent him, that he meant to wear it always at [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], we may probably infer that such garments at this date were not distinctively liturgical owing to anything in their material or construction, but that they were set aside for the use of the altar at the choice of the owner, who might equally well have used them as part of his ordinary attire. In the case of the chasuble the process of liturgical specialization, was completed at a comparatively early date, and before the end of the ninth century the maker of a ''casula'' probably knew quite well in most cases whether he intended his handiwork for a Mass vestment or for an everyday outer garment. But in the case of a ''cappa'' or cope, this period of specialization seems to have been delayed until much later. The two hundred ''cappae'' or copes which appear in a [[Saint-Riquier]] inventory in the year 801, a number increased to 377 by the year 831, were thought to be mere cloaks, for the most part of rude material and destined for common wear. It may be that their use [[Choir dress|in choir]] was believed to add to the decorum and solemnity of the [[Liturgy of the Hours|Divine Office]], especially in the winter season. In 831 one of the Saint-Riquier copes is specially mentioned as being of chestnut colour and embroidered with gold. This, no doubt, implies use by a dignitary, but it does not prove that it was as yet regarded as a sacred vestment. In fact, according to the conclusions of Mr. [[Edmund Bishop]], who was the first to sift the evidence thoroughly, it was not until the twelfth century that the cope, made of rich material, was in general use in the ceremonies of the Church, at which time it had come to be regarded as the special vestment of cantors.<ref>Bishop, Edmund, ''[[Dublin Review (Catholic periodical)|Dublin Review]]'', January 1897.</ref> Still, an ornamental cope was even then considered a vestment that might be used by any member of the clergy from the highest to the lowest, in fact even by one who was only about to be [[tonsure]]d. Amongst monks it was the practice to vest the whole community, except, of course, the [[celebrant]] and the sacred ministers (who assisted the celebrant), in copes at [[High Mass]] on the greatest festivals, whereas on feasts of somewhat lower grade, the community were usually vested in [[alb]]s. In this movement the Netherlands, France, and Germany had taken the lead, as we learn from extant inventories. For example, already in 870, in the [[Abbey]] of [[Saint Trond]] we find "thirty-three precious copes of silk" as against only twelve chasubles, and it was clearly the [[Cluny Abbey|Cluny]] practice in the latter part of the tenth century to vest all the monks in copes during high Mass on the great feasts, though in England the regulations of Saint [[Dunstan]] and [[Æthelwold of Winchester|Saint Aethelwold]] show no signs of any such observance. The custom spread to the secular [[Canon (priest)|canons]] of such [[cathedral]]s as [[Rouen]], and [[cantor]]s nearly everywhere used copes of silk as their own peculiar adornment in the exercise of their functions. Meanwhile the old '''''cappa nigra''''' (black cape), or '''''cappa choralis''''', a choir cape of black material, open or partly open in front, and commonly provided with a functioning hood, still continued in use. While the cope was a liturgical vestment, made of rich, colorful fabric and often highly decorated, the ''cappa nigra'' was a practical garment, made of heavy plain black wool and designed to provide warmth in cold weather. Whereas the cope's hood had long since become a non-functional decorative item, the hood of the ''cappa nigra'' remained functional. The ''cappa nigra'' (black cape) was worn at the [[Liturgy of the Hours|Divine Office]] by the clergy of cathedral and [[collegiate church]]es and also by many religious, as, for example, it is retained by the [[Dominican Order|Dominicans]] during the winter months down to the present day. No doubt the "copes" of the [[friar]]s, to which so many references in the [[Wycliffe|Wycliffite]] literature and in the writings of [[Chaucer]] and [[Langland]] are found, designate their open mantles, which were, we may say, part of their full dress, though not always black in colour. On the other hand it is worth a note that the ''cappa clausa'', or close cope, was simply a cope or cape sewn up in front for common outdoor use. "The wearing of this", says Mr. Bishop,<ref>Bishop, ''loc. cit.'', p. 24.</ref> "instead of the ''cappa scisssa'', the same cope not sewn up, is again and again enjoined on the clergy by [[synod]]s and [[statute]]s during the late [[Middle Ages]]." ==Use of the Cope in the Roman Catholic Church== [[Image:Procession of the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ-Bruges; Prelatuur Processie.JPG|thumb|right|275px|A modern cope, worn with a [[mitre]] by the Most Rev. Rogier Joseph Vangheluwe, [[Bishop of Bruges]].]] Under all these different forms the cope has not substantially changed its character or shape. The cope is a vestment for processions worn by all ranks of the clergy when assisting at a liturgical function, but it is never worn by the [[Priesthood (Catholic Church)|priest]] and his sacred ministers in celebrating the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]. At a [[Pontifical High Mass]] the cope was worn by the "[[assistant priest]]," a priest who assists the [[bishop]] who is the actual celebrant. In the [[Sarum Rite]], the Cope was also prescribed for members of the choir at various times. It is now the vestment assigned to the celebrant, whether priest or bishop, for almost all functions except the [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]] when the [[chasuble]] is worn by the celebrant instead. The cope is used, for example, in [[procession]]s, in the greater [[blessing]]s and [[consecration]]s, at the solemnly celebrated [[Liturgy of the Hours]], in giving [[Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament]], and the celebration of other [[sacrament]]s outside of [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]]. For most of these the celebrant may instead wear simply [[cassock]] and [[surplice]] or alb, both with the [[stole]], for simpler celebrations. The [[chasuble]], which is properly only worn for Mass, may also be worn during processions and other ceremonies that occur directly before or after Mass, such as the [[absolution]]s and [[funeral|burial of the dead]], at the [[Asperges]] before Mass, and at the blessing and imposition of the ashes on [[Ash Wednesday]], to avoid the need for the celebrant to change vestments. The [[Cæremoniale Episcoporum]] envisages its use by a bishop if presiding at but not celebrating [[Mass (liturgy)|Mass]], for the [[Liturgy of the Hours]], for processions, at the special ceremonies on the Feast of the [[Presentation of the Lord]], [[Lent]]en gatherings modelled on the "stations" in Rome, [[Palm Sunday]] and [[Corpus Christi]]. The bishop may use a cope when celebrating outside of Mass the sacraments of [[baptism]], [[confirmation]], [[matrimony]], [[penance]] in solemn form, [[ordination]] (if not concelebrating), and [[anointing of the sick]]. The list in the index of the Cæremoniale Episcoporum continues with several more cases. As regards [[liturgical colours]], the cope usually follows the color assigned to that day in the [[liturgical calendar]], although white may always be worn for celebrations of a joyful character or before the Blessed Sacrament, and violet may always be worn for celebrations of a [[penitence|penitential]] character. It may be made of any rich or becoming material, including [[cloth of gold]] (which may be used in place of any colour except violet or black). Owing to its ample dimensions and unvarying shape, ancient copes are preserved to us in proportionately greater numbers than other vestments and provide the finest specimens of medieval embroidery we possess. Among these the "Syon Cope" in the [[South Kensington Museum]], London, and the "Ascoli Cope" in the Pinacoteca Civica, [[Ascoli Piceno]], are remarkable as representing the highest excellence of that specially English thirteenth-century embroidery known as the ''opus anglicanum'' ('English work'). We are also indebted to the use of copes for some magnificent specimens of the jeweller's craft. The brooch or clasp, meant to fasten the cope in front, and variously called morse, pectoral, bottone, etc., was an object often in the highest degree precious and costly. The work which was the foundation of all the fortunes of [[Benvenuto Cellini]] was the magnificent morse which he made for Pope [[Clement VII]]. Some admirable examples of these morses still survive.[[Image:Pope Paul VI wearing the mantum.jpg|right|thumb|[[Pope Paul VI]] wearing the mantum.]] ===Papal mantum===<!--Mantum redirects here--> The '''mantum''' or '''papal mantle''' differs little from an ordinary cope except that it is somewhat longer, and is fastened in the front by an elaborate [[morse]]. In earlier centuries it was red in colour; red, at the time being the papal colour rather than white. In the eleventh and twelfth centuries the ''immantatio'', or bestowal of the mantum on the newly elected pope, was regarded as specially symbolical of [[investiture]] with papal authority: ''Investio te de papatu romano ut praesis urbi et orbi'', "I invest you with the Roman papacy, that you may rule over the city and the world" were the words used in conferring it at the [[Papal Coronation]]. The use of the mantum by the popes ceased under [[Paul VI]], following the reforms of [[Vatican II]]. ===Cappa magna===<!--Cappa magna redirects here--> The '''cappa magna''' (literally, "great cape"), a form of mantle, is a voluminous ecclesiastical vestment with a long [[train]], proper to [[Cardinal (Catholicism)|cardinals]], [[bishop]]s, and certain other honorary [[prelate]]s. The cappa magna is not strictly a liturgical vestment, but only a glorified ''cappa choralis'', or choir cope. That is to say, it is not used when vested as a celebrant at a liturgical service. It is worn in processions or "[[Choir dress|in choir]]" (i.e., attending but not celebrating services). Its colour for cardinals is ordinarily red and for bishops violet. Cardinals and [[papal nuncio]]s are entitled to wear a cappa magna of [[watered silk]].[[Image:Jusztinián Cardinal Serédi, archbishop of Esztergom.jpg|left|thumb|Jusztinián Cardinal Serédi wearing the winter ''cappa magna'' (note the fur lining around the shoulders), 1930s.]] The cappa magna is ample in volume and provided with a long train and a disproportionately large hood, the lining of the hood used to be of [[ermine]] in winter and [[silk]] in summer, and was made in such a way as to completely cover not only the back, but also the breast and shoulders. The hood is functional and in earler times was often placed on the head and covered with the [[galero]]. This used to be the custom when the pope created a new cardinal at a [[consistory]]. Nowadays, the hood is normally worn over the head only during penitential rites. Previously, cardinals who were members of specific [[religious order]]s would wear a cappa magna in the color of their order. Nowadays, all cardinals wear red. It is now rarely used, since the 1969 ''[http://www.fiu.edu/~mirandas/instruction69.htm Instruction on the Dress, Titles and Coats-of-arms of Cardinals, Bishops and Lesser Prelates''] lays down that: <blockquote>The cappa magna, always without ermine, is no longer obligatory; it can be used only outside of Rome, in circumstances of very special solemnity. (§ 12)</blockquote> However, the [[Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem]] still uses the ermine-lined winter cappa, because he is bound by the complex and unalterable rules of the ''[[status quo]]'', an 1852 [[Ottoman Empire|Ottoman]] [[firman]] which regulates the delicate relations between the various religious groups which care for the religious sites in the [[Holy Land]]. This anomaly is most evident at the [[Christmas Eve|Midnight Mass]] on [[Christmas Eve]] in [[Bethlehem]]. The cappa magna is also still used among groups using the [[Tridentine Mass]]. ==Use of the Cope in the Church of England and Anglican Communion== {|width="250" align="right" padding="0" border="1" |[[Image:Copefront.jpg|100px|thumb|center]]||[[Image:Copeback.jpg|100px|thumb|center]] |- |colspan="2"|<center>An [[Anglicanism|Anglican]] [[priest]] wearing a cope over [[cassock]], [[surplice]] and [[stole]]. |} The earliest post-[[Reformation]] [[prayer book]]s of the [[Church of England]] contemplated the continued use of the cope, whereas the alb and chasuble were eschewed. In the contemporary Church of England and the [[Anglican Communion]] as a whole, the cope is worn by [[Anglo-Catholic]]s and [[High Church]] and Anglicans in the same manner as that of the [[Roman Catholic Church]]. In the [[Broad Church]] (rarely in the [[Low Church]]), the cope is worn by bishops and other prelates, usually over a [[cassock]] and either a [[surplice]] or [[rochet]], in place of the chasuble for the service of [[Holy Communion]]. In the Church of England itself, the cope is worn by the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]] during the [[Coronation of the British monarch|coronation of the Sovereign]]. Prior to her coronation in 1953, [[Elizabeth II of the United Kingdom|Queen Elizabeth II]] presented a set of ornate copes to the Canons of [[Westminster Abbey]] as a gift. ==Use in Protestant denominations== The cope is usually worn only for processions and services of the Divine Office (morning and evening prayers) in most Lutheran denominations. In the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in America]], which is similar to the Anglican Communion and the Scandinavian Lutheran churches, the cope is usually worn by the bishop when not serving as the presiding minister at Holy Communion. It is rarely worn by clerics in the [[Lutheran Church - Missouri Synod]] or other German-based Lutheran denominations. ==See also== *[[Mantle]] ==Sources and references== *{{Citation | last =Thurston | first =Herbert | contribution =Cope | year =1908 | title =The Catholic Encyclopedia | volume =IV | place=New York | publisher =Robert Appleton Company | url = http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/04351a.htm | accessdate =2007-07-026 }} {{Reflist}} ==External links== *[http://dappledphotos.blogspot.com/2006/01/cope.html The Cope] Discussion and photos an a church watching blog (contains also classic photos of Papal Mantum) *[http://dappledphotos.blogspot.com/2005/09/cappa-magna.html The Cappa Magna] (the first 3 photos show the Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem in ermine-lined cappa magna) *[http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinacoteca_civica_%28Ascoli_Piceno%29 Pinacoteca Ascoli Piceno - wikipedia.it Italy] Ascoli Cope {{Catholic}} [[Category:Christian liturgy, rites, and worship services]] [[Category:Roman Catholic vestments]] [[Category:Anglican vestments]] [[Category:Protestant vestments]] [[Category:Robes and cloaks]] [[de:Pluviale]] [[fr:Chape (catholicisme)]] [[ko:캅파]] [[it:Piviale]] [[nl:Koorkap]] [[pl:Kapa]] [[pt:Pluvial (veste litúrgica)]] [[sk:Pluviál]] [[fi:Kuorikaapu]] [[sv:Pluviale]]