On January 29th 2017 I invited anyone who had a question about St. Andrew’s, the Diocese of Central Pennsylvania, or the Episcopal Church in general to write their question on an index card found in the pews and drop them in a basket at the front doors or in the PLC. I promised they would be answered here on the Vergers Voice and on one of bulletin boards in the PLC. I would like to thank those who started this off. This is the answer to the first question.
I was asked to talk about the vestments that vergers wear but first let me tell you the story of the verger.
A Verger is a committed lay minister within the Church who assists the clergy in the conduct of public worship, especially in the marshalling of processions. Vergers can be full-time or part-time, paid or volunteer. Their duties can be purely ceremonial or include other responsibilities, such as parish administration, leadership of the worship committee, or sexton.
The office of Verger has its roots in medieval times. The Verger was the Protector of the Procession. The Verger led the way for the procession as it moved the Vestry around the church or cathedral and into the front doors. The procession often moved through crowds of people and animals and the Verger was there to clear a pathway with his Virge. The office and Ministry of the Verger shares certain similarities with the former “Minor Orders” of Porter, Lector, Exorcist, and Acolyte. Vergers are responsible for the order and upkeep of the house of worship, including a broad scope of activities such as preparation for liturgy, conduct of the laity, grave-digging (yes we do that here) and building and grounds maintenance. The Verger in today’s church is a lay assistant to the Clergy. He or she reports to the clergy and proceeds with the liturgical style directed by them. The Verger also assists the Altar Guild, Acolytes, Layreader, Chalice Bearers, Sextons, Musicians, and other lay participants as needed. The above was from the book “Of Vergers, Vestments, and Virges” written for the Verger’s Guild of the Episcopal Church.
Here at St. Andrew’s we have developed a job description for the position of verger, which myself, Bill and Mike have signed and agreed too. It includes twelve line items which I will share with you here.
- The verger will have a broad knowledge of all areas of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church and the Episcopal Church in general. He or she should be able to convey that knowledge to the members of St. Andrew’s parish and visitors.
- The verger should be familiar with the liturgies of the Episcopal Church and assist the priest with planning , designing, implementing and executing the same.
- The verger should be knowledgeable about the requirements of and assist in preparing for Episcopal visitations.
- The verger may recommend to clergy solutions to liturgical problems (movement, space, etc.)And provide feedback to the clergy on effectiveness or anticipated problems.
- The verger will assist the clergy with planning and executing special services (weddings, funerals, holy days, etc.) and coordination with the altar guild, choir, servers, acolytes, greeters and others as necessary.
- Anticipate and be prepared to direct/prompt participants of the service as necessary. Be prepared to fill in at any area during the service.
- The verger will work closely with members of Altar Guild, Flower Guild, Acolytes, or any other participants in the liturgy.
- Under the guidance of the Rector, Jr. and Sr. Warden and/or Building and Grounds Committee Chairman the verger will assist with the general security of the parish property.
- The verger will oversee the care of the Memorial Garden, keep records of names of those whose ashes are placed there and prepare grave sites as needed.
- When necessary, assist with writing and developing customary and checklists for special occasions and services.
- Prior to each service, check the arrangements in the church, ensuring that all is proper and that all necessary items are in place.
- Other duties as assigned by the priest/rector.
When it comes to vestments they tend to be as varied as the duties we perform. If you would happen to be at the church or cathedral that is hosting the annual verger’s conference (its in Atlanta this year) there is always a procession of verger’s on Sunday morning. Usually, at least 150 vergers attend and very few of the vestments are the same. There are three standard styles of gowns worn today, Verger’s gown, Chimere and Scapula but the color and style depends on the verger’s taste and pocket book and what their rectors want.
No matter where you go you will see the verger in a black cassock. In some places, especially cathedrals the cassock may be another color due to local custom and in smaller churches the cassock is not worn except for ceremonial functions.
There is no hard and fast rules about the shape and adornment of a verger’s gown. The gown or cape as it sometimes called is centuries old and todays garment is a symbolic reminder of our past. In the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries in the Church of England and Catholic Church vergers were required to carry books and vestments for the priest or bishop. The gowns had no pockets so cloth or rope was sewn to the gown to carry these items so the verger’s hands were free to carry and use his Virge. These pieces of cloth were called lappets and they still adorn the gowns today but only as decoration.
The gown or cape is a heavy garment and was really meant to be worn as a coat for protection from inclement weather and in a time when churches were unheated. The Chimere (like the ones Mike and I wear) were adopted to simplify the gown and is something that can be worn comfortably in warmer weather. It is similar to the Bishop’s Chimere, sleeveless, light, simple and yet distinctive. The main difference from the Bishop’s Chimere is the symbolic yoke around the collar and front panels. Most times you will also see a patch on the Chimere for the Vergers Guild and another for the Diocese that the verger is a member of.
The Scapula is a very simple garment that is worn over the cassock. It is just a long piece of fabric that drapes over the front and back of the wearer. Many vergers have several of these and wear them in the color of the Liturgical Season of the Church.
In some Episcopal churches bands, tabs, collars and bowties are worn by both vergers and clergy. There are many styles single tab, double tab, wide bands, bow ties for men and ruffles and a ruffled band called a Jabot for ladies. They all were adapted from the scarf that clergy and vergers would wear to protect their necks when they traveled by horseback. These ties represent the law of God when worn by the clergy, the law of the land when worn by officers of the court and the law of the church when worn by vergers.
Just like Bishop’s and Priest’s, vergers have head coverings that they can wear. Where the Bishop has their Mitre and Priest’s have the Biretta, vergers have either the Oxford bonnet or the Canterbury cap to choose from. The oxford bonnet is a round hat with a flat top that sits atop the head. It is the same as the hat worn by the Yeomen of the Guard who protect the Tower of London. The Canterbury cap is a square hat that fits tight to the head, the style derived from a hat worn in medieval time. It gets its name from the Archbishop of Canterbury who wore a hat like it. Hats are not very poplar for vergers in the Episcopal Church but you will find in the Church of England bonnets and caps are worn quite often.
Like to know more, visit the verger’s webpage at vergers.org or on Facebook vergers of the Episcopal Church and our own vergers of central Pennsylvania.