Surplice

The term surplice is called a white linen robe with wide sleeves. It is worn in the non- Eucharistic liturgy of the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches by the priest over the cassock, in the Holy Mass from the altar and communion assistants on the gowns. While the former often under a collar worn in liturgical days Colour surplice reached to the neck, where it was held together with a button, it has now mostly a square neckline, where the robe is visible. The edges on the sleeves and at the bottom end can be provided or embroidered with lace. Historically, the surplice from the Albe has developed. Where the alb was worn in the northern countries in winter on a fur garment, it took a further section, the abandonment of the belt and the other sleeve. Originally ankle-length dress became increasingly shorter over the centuries.

In the Lutheran churches in Germany this development was less pronounced. There are also a sleeveless surplice with slits for the arms was used in addition to the long surplice with sleeves. There were surplice side completely open without sleeves, reminiscent in its appearance to the chasuble. The historical, if not quite proper name is Alba. Today, the surplice is both in the form of the chasuble -like, open the wrap as well as a shirt with white sleeves in many Protestant churches in Germany especially in the sacrament celebrations in use (for example, in Württemberg and Berlin- Brandenburg). In general, the stole is worn over the surplice today. A similar form of choral skirt is worn in the Lutheran churches in the Czech Republic and Hungary.

The surplice is to be distinguished from the rochet. The rochet is usually decorated richer, has close fitting sleeves as a surplice and its use is the higher prelates reserved. In German, however, the surplices of the altar boys are often also called Rochett or surplice. A rarely used technical term is Superpelliceum, that is, a garment that was worn "above the fur ."