OUR VESTMENTS & CLERICALS

Being a part of the Convergence Movement where the three streams of the faith come together, the Apostolic Communion of Churches strives to look to the early Church pre-1054, and pre-caesaropapist ecclesiastical rule. We do not seek to be Anglican, Roman Catholic, or Eastern or Oriental Orthodox. We just seek to be the Church of the three-streams from the beginning of the Church. ​We also desire for simplicity and a respect for the sacramental equality of bishops.

The basic vestment we wear when celebrating ordinations and the Eucharist (Lord's Supper/Holy Communion) is the chasuble (it comes in different colors for different seasons) and the alb. Both bishops and presbyters wear these. At a minimum at least the chief celebrant will be in the chasuble and alb while the other will be in alb and stole. To purchase the set for the liturgical year, click here.

Whether it is during the liturgy of the Eucharist or for choir dress, clergy will be in an alb and stole (the stole is always the color of the season). A pectoral cross may be worn either suspended by a chain for bishops and black cord for all others.  Bishops and presbyters both can wear this garment. Upon joining, the style and types will be communicated to new clerics. To purchase the set for the liturgical year, click here.

All ordained presbyters and bishops can wear the black cassock (bishops wear the purple cassock), surplice, black tippet, and pectoral cross (silver with a black cord for presbyters and cross and chain for bishops). Bishops may wear the cope and miter with the above while they are pontificating. Presbyters may wear the cope without any episcopal garb when presiding. To purchase the set for the liturgical year, click here.

Deacons in the Communion wear the alb and diaconal stole (the stole is in the color of the season). Deacons may also wear a dalmatic over the above. It must be in the color of the season as well. To purchase the set for the liturgical year, click here.

Because this individual is not ordained, they, the licensed lay minister, only wear the clerical collar with permission from their bishop. They will wear the black cassock, surplice and a blue tippet. The blue tippet means that they are not ordained clergy.

Only bishops wear colored shirts (red or purple). No man or woman wears vestments to which they have not been ordained and sanctioned to wear. All are asked to guard the office of the episcopacy. Anyone not doing so will be suspended from Holy Orders. We wear what is our rank not above it. We wear what belongs to our tradition. We don't wear vestments because they look good. ​The bishop possesses the chief seat among us and the place of honor in processional even if they are not pontificating. This is historic and the biblical order. We expect the celebrant of the Eucharist to wear a chasuble, stole, and alb as a minimum. All other presbyters should be in at least an alb and stole, or cassock, surplice, black tippet, and pectoral cross. No red tippets or any colored tippets beyond black and blue will be used among us. We wear red chasubles for ordinations and major events unless white or another color is called for by the Office of Liturgical Protocol. We also wear green chasubles and stoles during ordinary time, purple during Lent, Advent, Holy Saturday, and white also during Christmastide, Holy Thursday, Easter, baptism, and marriage.

A simple black, grey, or navy suit is suitable. A black shirt or a white shirt is worn by all clergy unless you are a bishop. Bishops, and only bishops are permitted to wear the red or purple shirts among us, lest canons of the Christian Life Cathedral. This code is not to be violated. We require clerics to have black socks and black shoes. For women in the clergy, an appropriate pants suit or dress suit with a clerical shirt and stockings and close-toed shoes with heels no higher then 3 inches is required (or the black habit with clerical collar may be worn). The black cassock is in order at all times as civic attire.