[Magdalen] Fwd: Commonwealth Day.

[Roger Stokes]

On 04/05/2015 03:35, Cantor03--- via Magdalen wrote:
> I didn't get any response on the Anglican Music List to this query, so
> maybe someone here knows the details/answers.
>    
> ____________________________________
>   From: Cantor03 at aol.com
> To: anglican-music at stsams.org
> Sent: 5/3/2015  6:03:26 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time
> Subj: Commonwealth Day.
>
> I came upon some pictures of a service at Westminster Abbey in
> London which were labeled "Commonwealth Day".  I had not before  heard
> of this observance, but what puzzled me was the elaborately  decorated
> definitely blue vestments worn by the Abbey staff (mostly copes).

I can only offer a couple of guesses.  The first is that communications 
within the British Commonwealth, successor to the British Empire, was by 
sea which is ytaditionally (if rarely in fact) blue.

The second is that the Knights and Ladies of the GArter, the most 
prestigious Order in the Commonwealth, wear cloaks of a very rich blue.  
The Abbey copes (which I agree are ornately decorated) could be seen as 
a reflection of that.

Finally, copes are the appropriate vesture fot such a service so what 
colour should they be?  Black and purple would be inappropruate because 
of their assocuation with penitence or mourning. Additionally the 
service takes place in Lent so a colour other than purple marks a 
difference from the colour of the season.  The other options would be 
red, white and green which have their own symbolism.  In that context 
decorated blue is a neutral option.

Roger