Presented
At the Clergy House meeting and Discussion ADOTT.Diocesan Synod.
on July 22, 2023
What do robes, cassocks, stoles, and preaching scarves really mean in the Anglican Church? Why does vesture matter in worship? In this compelling presentation delivered at the ADOTT Diocesan Synod (New Jersey, 2023), Ven. David Chimezie Nwanekpe addresses the non-negotiable importance of proper clerical vestments within the context of Anglican liturgy and the tradition of the Church of Nigeria.
This paper explores the theological, historical, and symbolic significance of clerical attire and how liturgical fidelity upholds spiritual integrity in ministry. It challenges clergy and laity alike to understand vestments not as ornamental tradition, but as visible theology.
🪡 Key Themes in the Presentation:
- The historical evolution of vestments from Greco-Roman dress to Christian liturgical garments.
- A detailed explanation of Mattins (Morning Prayer) attire: cassock, surplice, preaching scarf, and academic hood.
- Liturgical distinctions between statutory, non-liturgical, and occasional services.
- A call for canonical discipline in vesting—rejecting unauthorized combinations (e.g., chasuble with surplice).
- Examination of Eucharistic vestments including the alb, stole, cope, chasuble, biretta, and pectoral cross.
- A passionate defense of Anglican identity through dignified worship practices.
This document is a must-read for seminarians, clergy, and liturgy planners who seek to deepen their understanding of Anglican worship rooted in Nigerian ecclesiology.
