Pontifical Regalia
of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church

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A Project of the Pontifical Apostolic Library.

Read more here about the Roman-Ruthenian Papacy.

The Papal Tiara

The tiara is the most formal ceremonial symbol of the Prince-Bishop and Pope-Catholicos of Rome-Ruthenia. There are currently two tiaras in use.




Ferula (Pastoral Staff)

The pastoral staff used by the Roman-Ruthenian Pope, either carried by him personally or by a Chamberlain. It consists of gilded staff with a crucifix at the top.


Hand Blessing Cross

The hand blessing cross is the same as used by bishops and priests of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. It is used in the solemn pontifical blessing, as well as often carried either by itself or with the ferula. It is a symbol of Apostolic authority.


Orlets

Common also to Orthodox bishops in general and appropriate to bishops in the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. The orlets depicts an eagle flying over a city and is placed under the feet of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope at the throne, as well as in certain other locations when standing.


Baculum

The baculum is a short pastoral staff used by the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia and by other bishops of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine and Anglican-Byzantine Rites.


Staff of St. Stephen

The Staff of St. Stephen contains relics of Holy Stephen the Apostle and Archdeacon. It is carried usually by a Chamberlain or other member of the Pontifical Court. Most formally it is escorted by the Masters of the Virga Rubea.


Flabella

The flabella are two ostrich feather fans bearing the coat of arms of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope. They are carried by Pontifical Chamberlains.


Pontifical Mace

The mace is a symbol of authority and is carried by a mazziere (mace bearer) of the Pontifical Court.


Orb

The orb, also depicted in the church's coat of arms, is a symbol of its titular temporal patrimony and cultural authority. The Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia is invested with the orb at his coronation.


Baton as First Marshal of the Pontifical Imperial State

The symbol of authority as head of the Pontifical Walsingham Guard. It is carried on behalf of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope typically by a mazziere (mace bearer).


Baton as Sovereign of the Most Holy Pontifical Order of the Eagle

The symbol of authority as head of the order. It is carried on behalf of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope typically by a mazziere (mace bearer).


Insignia as First Marshal of the Pontifical Imperial State

The symbol of authority as head of the Pontifical Walsingham Guard. The shoulder insignia is worn on fringed epaulettes or shoulder boards (shown below). Sleeve insignia varies according to the uniform and is detailed in the uniform regulations.




Liturgical, Ceremonial, and General Vesture


Fanon

A liturgical vestment used exclusively by the Roman-Ruthenian Pope, the form proper to the United Roman-Ruthenian Church is a circular garment that fits over the shoulders. It is either white or white and yellow striped, and in either case is trimmed in gold with a gold cross in the front. It is worn over the pianeta and under the cope. The omophore is placed over it.


Omophore

The omophore used is that of a Gallo-Russo-Byzantine bishop, but worn uncrossed.


Pontifical Ring

Like bishops in general, the Roman-Ruthenian Pope uses pontifical rings in daily wear and ceremonially. The vary according to the circumstances.


Pontifical Gloves

The pontifical gloves of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope are the same in style as those used by bishops throughout the United Roman Ruthenian Church. Consistent with the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine usage, they are not worn in liturgy, but only optionally with pontifical dress and choir dress. In however, for papal use, by custom they are only in red and white, following the same color correspondence as noted for the subcintorium.


Pallium

The pallium is a symbol of apostolic authority. It is used by metropolitans within the United Roman-Ruthenian Church As well as by all archbishops of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite. It is of specific design as noted in the ceremonial, and it is worn with three pins. Following the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine usage, the pope wears it in solemn liturgy over the cope. The pallia of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church are placed by a relic of St. Peter the Apostle before being conferred.


Patriarchal Cross and Engolpions

Most formally, the Roman-Ruthenian Pope wears the traditional pectoral cross with two engolpions, one of Christos Pantokrator and the other of the Theotokos. Less formally, either the pectoral cross or the single engolpion of the Theotokos is used.


Shown: The full patriarchal style, a pectoral cross with an engolpion of Christos Pantokrator and an engolpion of the Theotokos.

Subcintorium

A liturgical garment unique to the Roman Ruthenian Pope, it is worn around the waist on the left side. It is used only in two colors, white/gold or red. The gold version may be used when the liturgical color is white, green, red or blue. The red version may be used in the liturgical color is red, purple, rose, or black.


Mantum

The mantum is the principal ceremonial pontifical garment of the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia. It is similar in design to a cope but longer, with a train. The mantum is always red in color with gold embellishment. There is a second version, known as the mantulum, which is of the same design and meaning, but shorter for practical purposes.


Cappa Magna

The Roman-Ruthenian Pope uses the cappa magna only at Matins of Christmas, on Ash Wednesday, on Good Friday, on penitential occasions in general in place of the mantum, and likewise at funeral liturgy. It is scarlet with either a fur or plain hood according to season and occasion. When used by the Prince-Bishop, the hood is always worn over the head.

Mozzette

The mozzetta of the Prince-Bishop is similar to that of jurisdictional bishops. It is used for both choir dress and academic/court dress. However, it comes in several forms. The winter mozzetta, being the principle one, is either deep red velvet or scarlet fabric, both with white fur trim. The summer mozzetta, also used for penitential occasions, is in red watered silk without fur. The paschal mozzetta, used from Pascha until the Ascension, is in white damask with fur trim.


Choir dress with scarlet winter mozzetta and pastoral stole.

Falda

The falda is a ceremonial garment worn over the cassock with liturgical dress and choir dress, with a train of approximately 1 metre in length. It is carried by a train bearer with an additional two optional train bearers in the front, all of whom are members of the Pontifical Court.


The falda visible from underneath liturgical vestments.

Camauro

The camauro is the principal headwear of the Prince-Bishop other than the zucchetto. It is used mainly with choir and academic/court dress, but also may be used with the regular habit. It comes in several varieties. The deep red velvet camauro with fur trim is used with the matching mozzetta. The camauro in red watered silk with fur trim is worn with the scarlet winter mozzetta or for general use. The camauro in white damask with fur trim is worn with the paschal mozzetta or for general use. And, the camauro in white linen without fur is worn with the summer mozzetta or for general use.


Pastoral Stole

The pastoral stole is a key symbol of authority of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope. Its usual form is in red. With the paschal habit, it is in white or gold. It usually is decorated with the pontifical coat of arms, saints of the Holy Apostolic See, and other symbols. It is worn only with choir dress over the mozzetta.


General pastoral stole.

Pontifical Mitre

The pontifical mitre is a liturgical mitre unique to the Roman-Ruthenian Pope. It is a variation of the standard mitre of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite, but following the general design of the tiara (which itself is not a liturgical item). It is used for particularly solemn liturgy and ceremonies.


Zucchetto

The zucchetto is the same as used by all clergy throughout the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. That of the Prince-Bishop is white watered silk.


Fascia

The fascia (band cincture) is the same in style as worn by all clergy of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. That of the Prince-Bishop is in white watered silk and finished with either red and gold fringe or a gold tassel. It is often embroidered with the pontifical coat of arms.


General Habit

The general habit of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope is white in the style of cassock used throughout the United Roman-Ruthenian Church. For general, non-liturgical wear, it may be worn also with a white peligrina (shoulder cape), the red toga with green front tabs, and/or the red ferraiolo with gold cords.


The general habit, shown with the red toga.

Academic and Court Dress

Academic or Court Dress is similar to choir dress. However, in place of the rochet is worn the red toga underneath the mozzetta. It is the Prince-Bishop's principal academic dress and also used at ceremonies of the URRC's principal seminary, Pontifical Georgian College.


Private Habit

The private habit of the Roman-Ruthenian Pope is an optional garment for non-liturgical, non-ceremonial occasions. It is a black cassock with red trim, white buttons, and the usual white fascia. It may be used otherwise for public occasions, though its use is far less common than the regular white cassock.


Abito Corto and Civic Suit

Abito corto is the same as for clergy in the United Roman-Ruthenian Church, but in white. Most formally, it is used with knee breeches. The civic suit consists of a regular white suit with white stock, collarino, or tie.

Abito corto, shown with clerical frock coat, knee breeches, and red slippers.



H.A.H. Radislav I in the church robes of the Supreme Roman-Ruthenian Aquiline Order of Christ

Chivalric Regalia of the Roman-Ruthenian Church & State

Collars of the Orders

The collars of the Aquiline Order of Christ and the Most Holy Pontifical Order of the Eagle, with the Pontifical Imperial Collar.


Broad Ribbons (Sashes) of the Orders


Supreme Roman-Ruthenian Aquiline Order of Christ


Grand Commander of the Order of Sts. George and Olga


Relgious and Military Order of Sts. Anne and Alexander Nevsky


Pontifical Order of the Eagle
(superceded in practice by the sash of the Order of Christ)



Order of the Pontifical Imperial State


Russian/Yugoslavian Order of St. John (Malta)

Stars of the Orders


Joint star of the Supreme Roman-Ruthenian Aquiline Order of Christ and the Most Holy Pontifical Order


Grand Commander of the Order of Sts. George and Olga


Relgious and Military Order of Sts. Anne and Alexander Nevsky


Order of the Pontifical Imperial State


Russian/Yugoslavian Order of St. John (Malta)

Grand Collarette

This consists of two chains from which is suspended the insignia of the Aquiline Order of Christ, the Most Holy Pontifical Order of the Eagle, and the Russian/Yugoslavian Order of St. John. It is optionally used with the clerical habit.


Church Regalia of the
Aquiline Order of Christ
and the Most Holy Pontifical Order

The regalia as Sovereign of the Orders of Christ and the Eagle consists of the usual scarlet mantle of the orders. It is worn over a scarlet clerical cassock, with white fascia (the only instance in which the Roman-Ruthenian Pope makes use of a scarlet habit). Over the cassock and under the mantle is worn the red clerical toga with fur trime and a large white fur cappuccio with red lining. The regalia is worn with a camauro

Collarette of the Supreme Roman-Ruthenian Aquiline Order of Christ


Collarette of the Most Holy Pontifical Order


Collarette of the Russian/Yugoslavian Order of St. John



Large Medal Bar of the Pontifical Religious & Dynastic Orders






Official Website of the United Roman-Ruthenian Church and the Pontifical Imperial State of Rome-Ruthenia
(also referred to as the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State)
Please be advised: any website or entity not listed below, or any unauthorized use of the names, titles, or symbols associated with the Roman-Ruthenian Church and State, is unofficial and not affiliated with the legitimate and singular Roman-Ruthenian Church and State.

Official Websites of the Church:
www.statopontificio.org
www.pontificalstate.org
www.catholicate.org
www.ilnunzioromano.org

Official Websites of the Prince-Bishop:
www.radislav.org
www.rutherfordjohnson.com
www.statopontificio.org/johnson-roma-rus






 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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