Cambridge, Sept. 20. 1851.
_Linteamina and Surplices_ (Vol. iv., p. 192.).--In Goar's _Rituale
Græcorum_, the most complete account is given of the ancient vestments
of the priesthood, from which, or rather from the same source, those of
the Romish and English churches have been derived. The names of these
vestments are [Greek: stoicharion], [Greek: hôrarion], [Greek:
epimanikia], [Greek: epitrachêlion], [Greek: zônê], [Greek:
hypogonation], [Greek: phelônion], and [Greek: epigonation].
These were put on and taken off in the presence of the congregation, and
a form of prayer appropriate to each vestment was repeated ([Greek:
mystikôs]) by the priest and deacon. In the notes of Goar and the
accompanying plates, ample information is afforded of the symbolic
meaning of these garments, both in respect of form and colour.
This meaning, lost to considerable extent by the Romish church, is
recoverable by reference to the Greek rituals, which have retained,
probably with little alteration, the ancient services of the early
Christians. An explanation will therein be found of other matters
besides linteamina and surplices by those who are curious in rituology,
as of the [Greek: diskon sphragidos, lonchê, astêriskon, kalymma, aera,
apolysis, hierateion, naon, bêma, "sophia, orthoi," eilêton, rhipidion,
zeon, zesis], &c.