GOD’S COMMANDMENT TO WEAR LITURGICAL VESTMENTS

Fresco of High Priest Aaron by Joseph Schonman, AD 1858, in the Altlerchenfelder Church, Vienna, Austria

By Bp. Joseph (Ancient Church of the West)

Introduction

The Protestant argument against vestments is based off of a completely wrong understanding of Scripture, how we are to understand the Old Testament, and what is actually going on theologically in the Church. God explicitly tells us what He desires of worship and what delights Him, and Jesus used these forms and categories to worship His Father in the Jerusalem Temple when He was on Earth with us. Using the “It’s not in the New Testament” argument is completely wrong in this context.

The Old Testament provides clear instructions on the garments of the priests, emphasizing purity, order, and symbolism in worship. These vestments were not merely ornamental but reflected the holiness required to stand before God. 

White, Pure Robes

The priests of Israel were commanded to wear white linen garments as a symbol of purity and righteousness. In Exodus 28:39-43, the instructions for the priestly vestments include a tunic of fine linen, reinforcing the necessity of holiness in approaching God. This imagery of white robes continues into the New Testament, where the saints in heaven are described as wearing white, representing the righteousness of Christ (Revelation 7:9, 13-14). St. Cyril of Alexandria connects this to the sanctified nature of the priesthood: 

"The white robes of the priests signify the purity that must clothe the soul of those who offer the divine mysteries. Just as the priest does not approach the altar without his holy garments, so must the soul be clothed in righteousness before it dares to serve the Lord." (Commentary on Exodus) 

Undergarments for Modesty

The law also required the priests to wear undergarments beneath their robes to cover their nakedness: 

"And thou shalt make them linen breeches to cover their nakedness; from the loins even unto the thighs they shall reach: and they shall be upon Aaron, and upon his sons, when they come in unto the tabernacle of the congregation, or when they come near unto the altar to minister in the holy place; that they bear not iniquity, and die: it shall be a statute forever unto him and his seed after him." (Exodus 28:42-43) 

This commandment underscores the necessity of modesty in worship. St. John Chrysostom applies this principle to all who serve at the altar: 

"Let those who minister before God be clothed not only in garments of holiness but in the modesty and reverence that befits those who stand before the Most High." (Homily on Matthew 22) 

The Outer Garment: Blue, Purple, or Red

Over the white tunic, the high priest was to wear a woven outer ephod, which was made of gold, blue, purple, or scarlet threads woven together with fine linen (Exodus 28:4-8). These colors hold deep symbolic meaning: 

- Blue represents the heavenly realm, God’s divine authority (Numbers 15:38-40). 

- Purple is a royal color, signifying the kingship of God. 

- Scarlet (Red) symbolizes sacrifice and atonement, foreshadowing the blood of Christ (Leviticus 17:11). 

St. Gregory the Great draws a connection between these priestly garments and the virtues required of the clergy: 

"The blue signifies contemplation of the heavenly mysteries, the purple reminds us of the humility that befits one who serves, and the red points to the zeal and love with which the priest must be inflamed for God and his people." (Homilies on Ezekiel) 

The Metal Breastplate and the Covenant

The high priest was also commanded to wear the precious breastplate of gold and precious gems over the ephod, a sacred necklace with twelve stones representing the twelve tribes of Israel (Exodus 28:15-21). This symbolized the covenant relationship between God and His people, as the high priest bore them upon his heart before the Lord. 

The ephod prefigures Christ, our great High Priest, who bears us before the Father as our mediator (Hebrews 4:14-16). St. Augustine, reflecting on this, writes: 

"As the high priest bore the names of the tribes upon his breast, so Christ our Lord bears us in His heart, interceding for us before the Father. His priesthood is eternal, and in Him, the covenant is fulfilled." (Exposition on Psalm 109) 

This Old Covenant symbol of God’s promises to us is now symbolized in the gold or silver jeweled Cross that we wear, the symbol of our New Covenant with the Lord, directly connecting us to the breastplate commanded by God for His priests. 

Thus, from the Old Testament priesthood to the Church’s liturgical vestments, we see a continuity of divine order, pointing us to Christ, who is both our High Priest and our eternal sacrifice. As St. Paul writes, 

"Put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfill the lusts thereof." (Romans 13:14) 

Just as the priests were clothed in garments reflecting God’s holiness, so must every Christian be clothed in the righteousness of Christ, preparing to serve and worship Him in spirit and truth. This is why we wear vestments in the Church and the theology behind them. They are not “unbiblical” but “most biblical.” Wearing vestments is not a practice of human pride, but a humble submission to that which delights God and a practice that He commands for our submission to His will. Everything that God commanded has been maintained in the Church, the New Israel and the Final Covenant with God! 

COLLECT 

O Almighty God, who didst clothe thy priests of old in garments of holiness, and dost call thy ministers in every age to be arrayed in righteousness: Grant, we beseech thee, that those who serve before thine altar may be adorned with purity of heart, modesty of life, and zeal for thy glory; that as Aaron was robed in beauty to minister before thee, and as Christ our great High Priest doth ever bear us before thy throne, so we, being clothed in the garment of salvation, may offer unto thee an acceptable service, through the same Jesus Christ, our Lord, who liveth and reigneth with thee and the Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end. Amen.