PONTIFICAL ORDER OF ST. STEPHEN THE PATRIARCHAL CHAPTER OF THE PONTIFICAL COURT The Patriarchal Chapter, known as the Pontifical Order of St. Stephen, is the seniormost part of the Pontifical Court. Its role is to advise and support the ministry of His Holiness the Papa-Catholicos in the governance of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Catholicate, the Anglican Patriarchate of Rome, and the entire Imperial Roman Church. The members of the Chapter are Capitular Bishops of St. Stephen, Deans ad Honorem, Prelates di Fiochetto, and Canons, who are prelates that may be in minor orders, deacons, or priests. The Chapter is headed by a Dean, who is the senior-most prelate within the Pontifical Court. Additionally, the chief assistant to H.H.E. the Archfather and administrative leader of the Patriarchal Curia, the First Archdeacon, and the Chancellor are both members of the Chapter. Canon Priest in Vestments for a Solemn Papal Mass. Cardinal Priests vest the same, with a scarlet cassock. (Canons use the mass vestment proper to their Rite.) Chapter Members Members of the Sacred College of Cardinals The Dean (Governor-General of the Patriarchate) Electoral Bishops Titular Archbishops and Bishop of the See of St. Stephen The First Archdeacon The Chancellor of the Court of St. Mary of Walsingham Deans ad Honorem Canon Priests Canon Deacons Canon Sub-Deacons Canon Clerics Capitular Vesture at Solemn Patriarchal Masses Members of the Chapter who are not acting as Sacred Ministers or in another role with specific vesture vest according to their Choir cassock with rochet and without stole or maniple and futher as follows: Dean, Electoral Bishops, Cardinals, and Titular Archbishops & Bishops Cope Mitre (Golden or simplex according to occasion) (Cardinals and Bishops of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite use the mitre of that style.) First Archdeacon & Deans ad Honorem Cope Simplex Mitre (If the First Archdeacon is a bishop, then the mitre may be golden according to occasion) A royal blue zucchetto and biretta are worn by Canons, the First Archdeacon, and Deans ad Honorem (by the Decretal "In Honour and Recognition" of 17 March 2021). The First Archdeacon, a Dean ad Honorem, or a Titular Bishop of the Chapter in vestments for a Solemn Papal Mass. Cardinal Bishops vest the same, but with a scarlet cassock. (Canons and Bishops use the mass vestment proper to their Rite.) Canon Priests Chasuble Simplex Mitre Canon Deacons Dalmatic Simplex Mitre Canon Sub-Deacons Tunicle Simplex Mitre Canon Clerics Purple cappa magna with train worn up or carried in the left arm Biretta and zucchetto in royal blue. (In the above, Canons of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite or another Rite with distinct mitre use the mitre of that style.) Priests of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite elevated to the prelatial dignity in the Patriarchal Chapter and thereby are entitled to the mitre wear a mitre in gold or white with icons, and without jewels or top cross. Similarly, they may also use the kamilavka or skufia in the appropriate colour, as well as the biretta, in accordance with the rules and customs of that rite.   Canon Deacon in Vestments for a Solemn Papal Mass. Cardinal Deacons vest the same, but with a scarlet cassock. (Canons use the mass vestment proper to their Rite.) Capitular Choral Vesture All clerics of the Chapter are permitted choral cassocks with trains worn down at all times. The trains of the cappa magna for all members of the Chapter are worn up except for the Governor-General, Arch-Chancellor, and Cardinals. Dean, Electoral Bishops, Cardinals Solemn: Red cappa magna and biretta Simple: Red mozzetta over red mantelletta, with red biretta Pectoral cross on a red and gold cord. Titular Archbishops & Bishops Solemn: Purple cappa magna and biretta Simple: Purple mantelletta and biretta Pectoral cross on a green and gold cord. First Archdeacon & Deans ad Honorem Solemn: Purple cappa magna and biretta Simple: Purple mantelletta and biretta Pectoral cross on a purple and gold cord. Canons Solemn: Purple cappa magna and biretta Simple: Purple mantelletta and biretta Pectoral cross on a blue and gold cord. Mass Vesture Dean, Electoral Bishops, Crown Cardinals, and Titular Archbishops & Bishops Pontifical vestments as usual, with either the red biretta (low mass) or the mitre (golden or simplex according to occasion). (Bishops of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite use the vestments and mitre of that style.) First Archdeacon, Deans ad Honorem, and Canon Sub-Deacons and senior Mass vestments as usual in their pontifical form, without the dalmatic unless a bishop, and either the biretta or the mitre (golden or simplex according to rank and to occasion). (Canons of the Gallo-Russo-Byzantine Rite use the mitre of that style.)   [Household] [Main Page]               Entire Contents Copyright © 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011. Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church. All Rights Reserved. The Anglican Rite Roman Catholic Church is a trademark.