Seminarians

The surplice should fall to within about six inches of the ground, or to the ankles; and at the very shortest—by way of transition—nothing should be tolerated that is not well below the knee. It may be mentioned here that men are apt to think their surplices longer than they really are, because, when one leans forward to look at the length of the garment, it drops several inches in front. A further cause that has led to the gradual cutting down of garments is the rage for cheapness, and the desire of the tailor to save as much material as possible. Before vestments became a commercial article, they remained full, on the Continent as well as here. Now the worship of Mammon has so far entrenched on the honour due to God that the sweater has his own way with us, and it is considered seemly for a minister to appear in church in the garment called a ‘sausage-skin,’ a so-called surplice that is not only short, but is entirely deprived of gathers, so that a few extra halfpence may be saved from the cost of worship.

–Percy Dearmer

The Scarf – or ‘Tippet’ – is just that, a scarf. It is not a stole or a ‘vestment’ (properly speaking). Rather, the scarf is a part of choir dress and is worn at every Choir Office: Morning, Noonday, and Evening Prayer, as well as Compline if said publically. Those in Holy Orders (Bishops, Priests, and Deacons) wear a black scarf during these Offices. Laity who are licensed to lead non-sacramental liturgies and teach may wear a blue scarf. These individuals are often called ‘Lay-Readers’ and therefore the blue scarf is also called the ‘Readers Scarf.’ Other names for this role are ‘Parish Clerk’, ‘Subdeacon,’ or ‘Epistler’ (as they have the privilege of reading the Epistle in the Liturgy). As the Seminarian will likely serve in one of these roles at some point throughout his vocational training, it is appropriate for him to have the means of dressing appropriately. Seminarians are not entitled to wear the Readers Scarf, but only if they are licensed by the Bishop. All Seminarians are likely Readers, but not all Readers are Seminarians. Check with your Diocese to be sure. 

The Scarf is worn over the Cassock, Surplice, and Hood. This is because we are first baptized and made regenerate (White Surplice), set out to study the things of God (Academic Hood), and only then are we admitted to a teaching vocation in the Church.

Like the Scarf, ‘Preaching Bands’ – or simply ‘Bands’ as they should be called – are non-Eucharistic; they can be worn whenever the Surplice is worn. They can be thought of as a sort of Liturgical Bow Tie: they make certain service formal. At one point in time, they were the daily wear of clerics and students alike. In our day and age, it is appropriate to wear them at the Choir Offices of Red Letter Days (those days of obligatory commemoration in the Prayer Book) and their Vigils.  They may also be worn at services of particular solemnity such as the Feast of the Consecration of Samuel Seabury for members of the Society, Weddings, Thanksgiving Services, Remembrance Sunday, or for the Burial of the Dead –all provided there is no Eucharist. They should also be worn over the black gown at particularly important instances of teaching such as Lessons and Carols in Advent, the Three Hour Devotion in Passiontide, or addressing a graduating class. 

The Bands are worn over the Cassock, Surplice (Rochet if you are a Bishop), Hood, Scarf, and (if worn) Cope. Otherwise worn over Cassock and Gown.