An Anglican priest wearing a white cincture around his waist to hold his alb and stole in place.

The cincture or girdle is a liturgical accessory (and one of the vestments of the Roman Catholic church). It is a long, rope-like cord with tassled ends, tied around the waist outside the alb. When worn by laypersons the color generally reflects that of the liturgical season. When worn by clergy, however, it is usually white. It symbolizes chastity and purity. Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x640, 80 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Stole Cincture ... Image File history File links Download high resolution version (480x640, 80 KB) File links The following pages link to this file: Stole Cincture ... The term Anglican (from the Angles meaning English) describes the people and churches that follow the religious traditions developed by the established Church of England. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... The alb, one of the liturgical vestments of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and many Protestant churches, is an ample garment of white linen coming down to the ankles and usually girded with a cincture. ... The stole (a liturgical vestment of various Christian denominations) is an embroidered band of cloth, formerly usually of silk, about two and one-half to three metres long and seven to ten centimetres wide, whose ends are usually broadened out. ... Vestments are liturgical garments and articles associated primarily with the Christian religions, especially the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox and Anglican Churches. ... The Roman Catholic Church, most often spoken of simply as the Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with over one billion members. ... The alb, one of the liturgical vestments of the Roman Catholic, Anglican and many Protestant churches, is an ample garment of white linen coming down to the ankles and usually girded with a cincture. ...

When laypeople wear an alb, the cincture is usually tied on the right. As deacons tie their stoles on the right, they often fasten the cincture on the left instead. Priests and bishops usually have the knot of their cincture in front of them; the loose ends are often passed around the stole and tucked through the waist of the cincture at each side. In religious organizations, the laity comprises all lay persons collectively. ... Deacon is a role in the Christian Church which is generally associated with service of some kind, but which varies among theological and denominational traditions. ... The stole (a liturgical vestment of various Christian denominations) is an embroidered band of cloth, formerly usually of silk, about two and one-half to three metres long and seven to ten centimetres wide, whose ends are usually broadened out. ... Roman Catholic priest LCDR Allen R. Kuss (USN) aboard USS Enterprise A priest or priestess is a holy man or woman who takes an officiating role in worship of any religion, with the distinguishing characteristic of offering sacrifices. ... A bishop is an ordained member of the Christian clergy who, in certain Christian churches, holds a position of authority. ...

From Sir Gawain and the Green Knight: "She swiftly slipped off the cincture of her gown / Which went round her waist under the wonderful mantle" (I. 1829) Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a late 14th century metrical romance recorded in a single manuscript, which also contains three other pieces of an altogether more Christian orientation. ...