Patriarchal Regalia of the Florentine Archfather

PATRIARCHAL REGALIA

This page provides information on the key elements of the Patriarchal Regalia
used by the Florentine Archfather.

The regalia of the Florentine Archfather is rooted in the history of the Imperial Patriarchate and the historic insignia of patriarchs.
The regalia speaks not only to the modern role of service in the world, but is also a visible symbol of continuity to the ancient church.

Crowned Mitre

The crowned mitre is the principal non-liturgical headgear of the archfather. It is represented in the patriarchal coat of arms. In its practical form, it consists of a gold damask jeweled mitre topped with a silver cross at each of the two points. The mitre is formed upon a red watered silk cap similar to a zucchetto, upon which sits a gold jeweled crown. The crowned mitre is used during specific patriarchal functions.

Patriarchal Orb

The orb consists of a jeweled sphere topped by a jeweled cross. It represents the temporal authority of the Florentine Archfather and the historic temporal patrimony of the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate.

Patriarchal Staff of St. Stephen

The staff is the equivalent of a crosier used by the Archfather. It is a wooden staff, the upper portion of which is gilded, upon which sits a gold crucifix. The crucifix contains a second-class relic of St. Stephen the Deacon and Protomartyr.

Pallium

The pallium is a symbol of metropolitan authority and service, representing Christ carrying a lamb over his shoulder. The form used by the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate has 12 black crosses upon it. The pallium has three silver pins upon it representing the three nails of the Crucifixion. It also contains third class relics of St. Peter and St. Stephen and also is a third class relic itself of St. Peter since it is placed upon a first-class relic of St. Peter the Apostle and First Pope.

Patriarchal Ring

The patriarchal ring is typically a sapphire, but the archfather may make use of any suitable ring within tradition that he wishes. It is the equivalent of the episcopal ring of a bishop and signifies his duties to and authority over his See.

Pectoral Cross

The pectoral cross is the same as used by all bishops. With liturgical dress and choir dress, it is jeweled and worn from a red and gold cord.

Patriarchal Slippers

Used by all bishops by tradition in the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate, the archpatral form is red with the patriarchal coat of arms embroidered upon them. They are used at masses (except those of the dead) and with choir dress or optionally with court dress.

Grand Choir Dress

Particular to the tradition of the Anglo-Italian Imperial Patriarchate, the grand choir dress of the archfather is used in many cases in place of the cappa magna. It consists of a long red and gold pontifical cape over which is worn the hood of the cappa magna. It may be worn with the biretta, the pontifical hat or saturno, or the crowned mitre. An element of choir dress, it is used most frequently on solemn occasions, such as presiding but not officiating at a solemn mass. The grand choir dress is not used during penitential rites, and instead the cappa magna is used.

Cappa Magna

Used on certain solemn occasions when grand choir dress is not used (or as an option to it), the cappa magna of the Imperial Patriarch is red with a 21-foot train. The winter hood is in white fur in the specific design used by the Imperial Patriarchate, and the form used by the archfather is longer, approximately somewhat longer than elbow length. The summer hood is in matching red cloth and is of the usual shorter length. During penitential rites and when participating in the Office of Matins in the cappa magna, the hood is worn up over the head. It is typically only used when officiating at matins, at solemn penitential rites, and during the Sacred Triduum of Holy Week.

Supermantellum

When the liturgical colour is purple or black, the supermantellum is worn over the hood of the cappa magna of the archfather. It consists of a purple capelet of approximately elbow length, open in the back centre, and secured at the back of the neck.

Winter Mozzetta

The winter form of the mozzetta used by the archfather is in cardinalatial scarlet wool or silk with white fur trim, and with a hood. It is worn during the winter half year, i.e., from I Vespers of the Feast of St. Catherine through I Vespers of the Feast of the Ascension.

Winter Fur Mozzetta

The fur mozzetta may be used during the same time period as the winter mozzetta. It is identical to the winter hood of the cappa magna in the style used by the Imperial Patriarchate. It is of white fur, reaching past the elbows, lined in red satin, without a standing collar, and with a red hood.

Winter Toga

The winter toga may optionally be worn by the archfather over the rochet and underneath the mozzetta during the winter halfyear. It is scarlet, reaching approximately to mid-calf, with white fur at the edges of the sleeves.

Summer Mozzetta

The summer form of the mozzetta is in red cloth, silk, or watered silk, with a hood. It is worn during the summer halfyear, i.e., from I Vespers of the Feast of the Ascension through I Vesper of the Feast of St. Catherine

Patriarchal Stole

The stole of office used by the archfather is either red and gold or solid gold and is worn with the grand the coral habit and optionally over the mozzetta. The stole is a symbol of office and authority.

Paschal Stole

In celebration of the Resurrection, the stole of office used during Paschaltide is always in solid gold. It is worn from the beginning of Paschaltide at the Vigil of Easter until the Vigil of Pentecost.

Patriarchal Fanon

Plain white, with gold trim. It differs from the papal version in that it is of one layer only, that which is worn over the chasuble. It may be worn on solemn occasions when full pontifical mass vestments are used.

Patriarchal Falda

This vestment may be used with mass vestments or choir dress. It is in white, of floor length in the front, and extending one metre addition in the back.

Patriarchal Balteus

Worn only with full pontifical mass vestments, it is similar to a maniple and is worn on the left side, hanging from the cincture. It is in two colours only, i.e., red and white, following the same customs of seasonal use as the Patriarchal stole.

Galero

The galero is that of a cardinal, in red with fifteen red tassels on either side.

Zucchetto

The zucchetto is white plain silk. It may be trimmed with white fur during the winter half-year (when the winter mozzetta is worn).

Biretta

The biretta is that of a cardinal, i.e., in red watered silk, with three wings and no pom-pom. It is usually only worn by the archfather with the cappa magna or the grand choral habit. It is not used when celebrating mass, with house dress, or with regular choral dress.

State Crown

Representing the personal temporal titular patrimony of the archfather, the state crown is of five visible bars, jeweled, and with a blue cap.

Choir Cassock

The choir cassock is derived from the habit of the Royal Order of St. Stephen and from ancient tradition. It is white with red trim, red buttons, and red cuffs. It is also worn with a red watered silk fascia with gold bullion tassels.

Ombrellino

There are two forms of the ombrellino. The first is of alternating yellow and red panels with the Patriarchal insignia. It is carried at the front of certain solemn processions.

The second type is carried by a member of the Patriarchal Household in procession and is used open only to hold over the archfather when outside and kneeling before the Blessed Sacrament. It is of solid scarlet.

Cushions

The cushions are used for the archfather to kneel or as a foot-rest. One may be carried in certain processions. Both forms are red. Throughout the year it is velvet. During Lent, it is cloth.

Mace

The mace is a symbol of authority carried in certain processions before the archfather. It is blue with insignia on it, topped with a gold eagle, and embellished with a gold cord and tassels.