The subcinctorium is an ornamental vestment reserved in the United Roman-Ruthenian Church used by the Prince-Bishop of Rome-Ruthenia. It is similar to that formerly used by the Roman Pope and the Catholic Patriarch of Lisbon. It is worn in liturgical dress. In is only made of red or white fabric, with red being used when the liturgical colour is red, purple, black, or rose, and white being used when the liturgical colour is white, green, or blue. It is a single piece of fabric similar to one end of a stole, with a ribbon or cord that ties it around the waist so that it hangs on the left side. It is decorated with gold embroidery, featuring a small Agnus Dei on one end and a cross on the other. The subcinctorium had formerly been known as the "balteus" as early as the end of the tenth century.
Over the centuries, various symbolic meanings have been attached to the subcinctorium, such as a remnant of the almspurse the popes would wear on their belts, a sign of humility reminiscent of the towel worn by Jesus Christ at the washing of feet on Holy Thursday, and a remnant of the apparel of the Jewish High Priest, as claimed by Augustine of Hippo. The subcinctorium is also related to the epigonation worn by Eastern Orthodox bishops to this day.
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Pontifical Imperial State
of Rome-Ruthenia
United Roman-Ruthenian Church