22/12/05

What is the difference between a surplice and a cotta? are they interchangeable? is there any "rules" as to when one should be worn. And what about lace? is there any requirement to have lace? is it personal taste? 

Please help

Lee Clark

Head server Holy Trinity Barkingside 

REPLIES

Andrew Mays - 22/12/05

Lee,

A surplice is a flowing white garment, often nearly floor length with sleeves that drape/flap about 18 inches from the hand. A cotta is a much closer fitting garment with shorter sleeves. May I suggest you consult the catalogues of the many ecclesiastical suppliers for photos. 

I was taught that under NO circumstances should an Altar Server where a Surplice.
There was no theological reason for this but SIMPLY one of COMMON SENSE.

The possible dangers of being thurifer wearing a surplice I hope are obvious enough.

But also for those who serve the elements at Low Mass, the flowing sleeves of a surplice are a hazard when flapping around the vessels in use.

There are to my knowledge no real "rules" about this, it can/must depend on what is available at your church and what finances will allow.

As far as lace is concerned I believe it is down to personal preference/parish practice.
Personally I have a lace cotta for festivals ie Christmass, Easter, Pentecost, Saints Days and Festivals of Our Lady and a plain cotta for Sundays in " Ordinary Time" and other occasions.

AFTER ONE OCCASION WHEN I SERVED THE ELEMENTS WEARING A SURPLICE AND KNOCKED WAFERS, WINE AND WATER OVER THE SANCTUARY FLOOR BY A FLICK OF THE SLEEVE. I WILL NEVER WEAR A SURPLICE TO SERVE IN AGAIN. 

Andrew R Mays ( one time Group Councillor for PG21)

Tony Barber - 22/12/05

Dear Lee,

Firstly some 59 years ago I was a server at Holy Trinity Barkingside along with my farther, Charles W Barber.

Back then there was a very clear distinction, Surplices were worn by the Choir. Servers wore Cottas. Priests wore a Surplice when not in full regalia. Lace was not very common, it was the choice of the PCC but was considered "Roman".

Fifty Nine years ago we had just started using Albs when serving at the 11am Sunday Eucharist. We always tried to have 5 servers on duty at the 11 O'clock, a crucifer, 2 acolytes and 2 servers. The only time that we got to use incense was when the GSS held their office at HT, very difficult in such a small chancel with 5 other servers plus the priest there.

Sorry this has become chatty. I hope it helps.

Your brother in Christ.

C A (Tony) Barber (Server and Asst Sacristan at St Luke's Church, Burton, Christchurch.)

Lee Clark - 23/12/05

Thank you gents

As Tony rightly says, Holy Trinity still wear albs but we have recently started doing benediction, healing services, and other liturgical services and I feel (this is a personal thing) that the alb isn't appropriate (hence the priest doesn't wear an alb at these services). Now I have heard of a phrase "choir habit" is that cassock and surplice or cassock and cotta? 

Also there have been instances when I have been involved with evening prayer. Again the alb doesn't seem right.

Personally I think the surplice looks incredibly untidy and as Andrew has confirmed they look incredibly unsafe! 

Lee 

Eddie Bestwick - 23/12/05

Lee, in my experience a surplice is a larger, fuller garment than a cotta and almost covers the cassock whereas the cotta is much shorter. Surplices tend to be used by choirs and by clergy at the choir offices, Matins and Evensong. (Surplices are more used by Clergy and choirs in 'middle of the road' and Evangelical Anglican churches). Cottas were more used by servers. Though, cottas seem to be replaced in many churches by albs for servers. One problem with lace on a cotta is it can get caught on furniture. Years ago I was given a lace cotta, about 6 inch depth of lace, and getting up from kneeling at an altar rail, unnoticed by me, the lace caught on some ornamental ironwork and there was a 9 inch rip. I decided that cotta was not really practical.
Best Wishes,
Eddie Bestwick, Stoney Stanton.

Peter Hillyar-Russ - 24/12/05

I believe I am right in saying that the Surplice and Cotta are originally the same garment – the Surplice being the English “cut” for the garment. The Word surplice comes from a Latin Phrase meaning “Over the Furs”, and the picture I get is of a garment baggy enough to go over a fur coat necessary in an unheated, perhaps unglazed, north European church. Cotta is the Italian for “short”, and refers to the skimpier cut of the same garment traditionally worn in the warmer south.

In the Church of England today a Surplice is normally seen as a sign of a rather English churchmanship, and the cotta is seen as a little more “Western rite”.

There is absolutely no obligation to have any lace on a cotta (I have never heard of a surplice having any), and the fashion today is for very little, if any. It is more fashionable nowadays to have a cotta with some embroidery on it, or perhaps an inch or two of lace included a few inches above the hem. But that is purely fashion – fifty years ago lace was much in vogue, and embroidery never seen.

Peter Hillyar-Russ