Why do church choirs wear robes

Close Search. Question of the Week Why do some people in worship leadership roles wear robes? By St. Next Post Who should receive Communion?

Contact Us St. Newsletter Saints Connection. Annual Vestry Report St. This is to let others identify them easily among the crowd, which is probably helpful so that we can easily ask them help whenever we come across them in time of need. This is applicable most of the time to other institutions that observe dress codes. What about the Church?

Yes, it too has its own dress code to follow. Look at the priests and pastors in their white, flowing garments, paired with a beautiful choir donning uniformed robes during services! Specific Events: Certain specific events also require special church robes, such as baptismal robes for a baptism.

Schools and Choral Organizations: A variety of different styles are used for schools, amateur singing groups, and professional chorus or choral organizations often along with a symphony or other musical accompaniment. The earliest visual depiction of a group of singers performing can be found in ancient tombs in Egypt around BC. However, there was no indication of a robe, vestment, or other formal or organized clothing for such early choirs. The image to the right depicts what is believed to be a blind choir of ancient egypt.

The earliest evidence of a potentially-formal choir robe is found in ancient Greece. The Greek Chorus seems to have been relatively common in that era, and can be seen depicted on a portion of pottery dating from around BC. That Greek pottery displays members of a choir both singing and playing musical instruments. The members of that ancient choir are seen wearing lengthy loose gowns that reach up and across their left shoulders.

Those pictured in the pottery displayed to the left obviously have a slightly more elaborate design than the earliest depiction.

The use of gowns likely developed from the ancient tunic. Indeed, clerical vestments such as an alb are directly related to the ancient tunic, with the word origin being a latin phrase meaning a tunic of white. Modern albs remain a plain, lightweight, ankle-length tunic with long sleeves, with a rope cincture about the waist. Ancient tunics were sleeveless, and were seen as a distinction from barbarians wore sleeved clothing probably because those tribes lived in the colder regions.

The tunic eventually did include a sleeve around the 3rd century, after military leaders returned from a campaign wearing them. This combination of tunic and choir evolved with time.

The Jewish Torah bible provides some possible indications that choirs held a role for the early Hebrews. For example, Nehemiah Chapter 12, section 31 has the leaders of Judah assigning two choirs to offer thanks in some translations of that section.

Jewish law dictates vestments or robes for the high priest and for certain other roles at this time as well. However, I have yet to find evidence that these choirs wore robes. Pictured to the right is a high priest of this era, in complete regalia.

The first four centuries of Christianity did not involve a special robe, tunic, vestment or other garb for members of the clergy nor presumably for choirs used in a religious setting or otherwise. Tunics remained the primary article of clothing, typically knee-length to ankle-length, usually with a cincture.

Often, an additional article of clothing known as a himation was worn. At times, pectoral crosses are worn as ornamented dress of the clergy.

These large crosses clearly establish and define the function of the pastor as the leader of the divine service. The Lutheran church choir has a unique and significant role in Lutheran worship. It can fill that position with music ranging from the simplest to the most complex. What is of the utmost importance is that the choir, their director, the pastor, and the congregation understand the role of the choir in worship and that role contributes to the interest, effectiveness, meaningfulness, continuity, and reverence of the gathered corporate body.

Care should be taken to see that choirs wear vestments and accessories that communicate the truth of their role in worship. Finally, choir vestments or other clothing must not be a distraction to the Gospel or their role within the Divine Service.

Confutatio Pontificia]:. Of Usages in the Church they teach that those ought to be observed which may be observed without sin, and which are profitable unto tranquility and good order in the Church, as particular holy—days, festivals, and the like. Nevertheless, concerning such things men are admonished that consciences are not to be burdened, as though such observance was necessary to salvation.

They are admonished also that human traditions instituted to propitiate God, to merit grace, and to make satisfaction for sins, are opposed to the Gospel and the doctrine of faith.