What is the significance of the various clerical garments?
Most liturgical vestments have their origins in the street clothes of an earlier era. The oldest is the alb (from the Latin albus, for “white”), a long white garment derived from the ancient Roman tunic. Early Christians received a bright, new alb at the time of their baptism. The alb has come to represent equality in ministry, and can be worn by any baptized liturgical leader. The cincture is a rope belt worn with the alb. The Geneva gown is a black robe, once commonly worn in public by those with academic credentials. The Geneva gown symbolizes scholarly training and learned preaching, a historical value and strength of the Reformed tradition. The addition of three bars called chevrons to the sleeve signifies the doctoral degree. Bands or tabs — upside-down V-shaped collars — are magisterial insignia sometimes worn with the Geneva gown. The poncho-like chasuble had its origins as a warm raincoat. In the middle ages, the chasuble came to be associated with the priestly administration
