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Colors, Liturgical
Although early Christians preferred white for liturgical dress, other colors gradually came into use. Patterns of colors designating seasons and feasts date from the twelfth century in western Europe, with many regional variations. A fixed scheme came into being with the 1570 missal of Pius V. In reaction against medieval practices, Anglicans at the Reformation abandoned liturgical colors. Anglican Prayer Books have never designated a liturgical color scheme. Under the influence of the Oxford Movement and as part of a revival of medieval customs, Anglicans began to restore the use of colors in the nineteenth century. Most Anglicans today follow modern Roman Catholic practice, sometimes mixed with medieval Sarum use. Liturgical colors include white or gold for Christmas, Easter, other feasts (except those of martyrs), marriages, and funerals; blue or violet for Advent; violet or Lenten array for Lent; red for Holy Week, martyrs, the Day of Pentecost, and ordinations; green for the ordinary time after the Epiphany and after the Day of Pentecost. Some use rose for Advent 3 and Lent 4. Many Anglican parishes use combinations of fabrics and colors, and some have returned to the old custom of wearing the best dress for the best occasions.
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Glossary definitions provided courtesy of Church Publishing Incorporated, New York, NY,(All Rights reserved) from "An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User Friendly Reference for Episcopalians," Don S. Armentrout and Robert Boak Slocum, editors.
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