Orphrey, Morse and Cope

I've heard it claimed in quizzes, on more than one occasion, that these things are all worn by bishops. In fact, it seems that they can be worn by any member of the clergy.

The cope is a long mantle or cloak, open in front and fastened at the breast with a band or clasp – known as a morse.

The cope may be worn by any rank of the clergy, and also by lay ministers in certain circumstances. If worn by a bishop, it's generally accompanied by a mitre (the type of headgear traditionally worn by a bishop).

An orphrey is a form of embroidery, often highly detailed and often worn on clerical vestments.

So the orphrey and the morse are part of, or accessories to, the cope; and a cope may be worn by any rank of the clergy.

As well as the mitre, another symbol of a bishop's office is the crozier, or crosier (a stylised staff).

© Haydn Thompson 2022