Pontifical Regalia of the Papa-Catholicos

PONTIFICAL REGALIA
of the Papa-Catholicos

This page provides information on the key elements of the Pontifical Regalia
used by the Papa-Catholicos of Rome-Ruthenia

The regalia of the Archfather is rooted in the history of the Imperial Roman Church and the historic insignia of patriarchs, Rome, Byzantium, and Italy.
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.

Tiara

The papal tiara, or triregnum, is the principal non-liturgical headgear of the Papa-Catholicos. In its practical form, there are two versions currently in existence in custody of the Apostolic See.

The first consists of three gold crowns, all surmounted by a cross.

The second, known as the Florentine Crown, consists of three crowns formed around a central white and gold damask mitre with a scarlet watered silk lining in between. In between the mitre is a gold bullion cross-piece with jewels. The bottom crown is in silver and gold with jewels. The top two are made of gold bullion and jewels. Each point of the mitre is surmounted by a gold cross.

Mitres

The regular mitre is gold with jewels and icons, with the points joined at the top and surmounted by a cross. The simplex mitre is gold with icons.

Trikirion

A triple candeholder symbolizing the Holy Trinity and used along with the hand cross for special blessings.

Hand Blessing Cross

Used for imparting blessings.

Flabella

The flabella are a pair of ostrich feather fans carried in ceremonies to escort the Papa-Catholicos.

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 Imperial Roman Church.

Ferula (Staff of St. Stephen)

The ferula is the equivalent of a crosier used by the Papa-Catholicos. It may also be carried by a chamberlain or crucifer and not the Archfather himself. 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.

Baculum

A shorter crosier that may be carried in liturgy or used as a walking staff instead of the ferula. It is usually gold and surmounted by a cross.

Omophore

The omophore is a short stole, always in gold, worn by Gallo-Russo-Byzantine bishops. The ends are crossed one over the other in general. The ends of the omophore of the Papa-Catholicos, however, hang straight down.

Stephanos

The stephanos, from the Greek word meaning "wreath," is a small green band with gold leaf embroidery worn crossed over the omophore on feasts and major octave days in which the liturgical colour is green (Palm Sunday, Pentecost through Trinity Sunday, and feasts of the Holy Cross), regardless of the color of vestments worn by the Papa-Catholicos. It symbolises the Cross and the Crown of Thorns.

Pallium

The pallium is a symbol of metropolitan authority and service, representing Christ carrying a lamb over his shoulder. The form used by the Imperial Roman Church 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. It is worn by the Papa-Catholicos in the style of Gallo-Russo-Byzantine archbishops, i.e., over the fanon and omophore.

Pontifical Ring

The pontifical 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.

Engolpion

An icon of the Theotokos and Child Christ in a jeweled frame surmounted by a crown and worn from a gold chain.

Patriarchal Slippers

Used by all bishops by tradition in the Imperial Roman Church, the papal form used by the Archfather is red with the patriarchal coat of arms or a cross embroidered upon them. They are used at masses (except those of the dead) and with choir dress or optionally with court or house dress.

Mantum

Particular to the tradition of the Imperial Roman Church, the grand cope (mantum) of the Papa-Catholicos is always in red and longer than a regular cope, with a long train. It is worn with the papal tiara or the mitre outside liturgy and the mitre within liturgy. It is also used any time that a cope is otherwise prescribed. The mantum is not used for solemn arrival during penitential rites, when instead the cappa magna is used. However, it is used during most penitential liturgy when the cope is specified.

Cappa Magna

Used on certain solemn occasions when the mantum is not used, the cappa magna of the Papa-Catholicos is red with a 21-foot train. The winter hood is in white fur in the specific design in the style of a cappuccio used by the Imperial Roman Church, 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. It is only worn on the Vigil of Christmas, during the Sacred Triduum (except before and during the mass of Holy Thursday), during Rites of the Dead, on Ash Wednesday, during Penitential Rites, and at solemn matins throughout the year. Thus it is only worn with the hood up over the head according to tradition and norms.

Winter Mozzetta

The winter form of the mozzetta used by the archfather is in either scarlet wool or silk or deep red velvet, both with white fur trim, and with a hood. It is worn during the winter half year, and specifically from I Vespers of the Feast of St. Catherine through Holy Saturday.

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 Patriarchate. It is of white fur, reaching past the elbows, lined in red satin, without a standing collar, and with a red hood.

Paschal Mozzetta

The form of the mozzetta used by the archfather from Holy Thursday through the Vigil of the Pentecost is in white damask with white fur trim, and with a hood.

Summer & Penitential Mozzetta

The summer form of the mozzetta is in red cloth, silk, or watered silk, with a hood. It is worn from the Vigil of the Pentecost through I Vesper of the Feast of St. Catherine. This form is also used on Vigils, Ember Days, penitential rites, and liturgy of the dead.

Toga

The toga is part of the archfather's formal/public habit, worn underneath the mozzetta. It is scarlet, reaching approximately to mid-calf, with white fur at the edges of the sleeves optionally in the winter vesion.

Winter Cap

Optionally worn during the winter half-year, the winter cap is white wool similar to a biretta. It may be used as an outdoor cap or in a similar manner to a biretta with house or choir dress outside of any liturgy.

Camauro

The Florentine-Roman papal camauro is a close-fitting cap. It is generally white, but with the red velvet mozzetta, it is in matching red velvet. Optionally during the winter half-year, it may be trimmed in fur or be made entirely of white fur. In either form it may be used as an outdoor cap or alternatively with either house dress or choir dress outside of the Holy Mass.

Patriarchal Stole

The stole of office used by the archfather is either red and gold or solid gold and is worn 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.

Episcopal Fanon

White with gold trim. It consists of one layer only. It is part of the vestments of all Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Bishops.

Patriarchal Falda

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

Patriarchal Subcintorium

Worn only with pontifical mass vestments, it is similar to a maniple and is worn on the left side, attached around the waist with a long ribbon. It is in two colours only, red and gold.

Zucchetto

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

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.

Cassock

The cassock is white. For liturgical or choir dress, it is also worn with a white watered silk fascia with red and gold bullion tassels. For house dress, a white fascia with white fringe is optionally used instead.

Ombrellino

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

The second type is carried by a bussolante of the Pontifical Court 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 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. It is carried by a mazziere (mace bearer) of the Pontifical Court.