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Thesubcinctorium is an ornamentalvestment reserved for thepope, and thePatriarch of Lisbon, which is worn at solemnpontifical Mass. It is very similar to, but somewhat broader than, themaniple in form and nature.

The vestment is approximately 55 centimeters (22 inches) in length and is attached on thecincture, on the right side. It was originally made of red or white fabric, but later came to follow the standardliturgical colours. It is decorated with goldembroidery on one end with a smallAgnus Dei and on the other with across.

The subcinctorium is mentioned under the name ofbalteus as early as the end of the tenth century in a "Sacramentarium" of this date preserved in theBibliothèque Nationale at Paris (f. lat. 12052). It is mentioned under the nameproecinctorium about 1030 in what is known as the "Missa Illyrica". Later it was generally called subcinctorium.

The original object of the subcinctorium was, asThomas Aquinas explicitly says, to secure thestole to the cincture. But as early as about the close of the thirteenth century, it was merely an ornamental vestment. According to the inventories, even in the eleventh century much thought was given to its ornamentation. Most probably the subcinctorium was first used in France, whence the custom may possibly have spread to Italy about the close of the first millennium.

In theMiddle Ages, it was worn not only by the pope but also by bishops, and even in a few places by priests. However, it gradually ceased to be a customary vestment of bishops and priests, and in the sixteenth century only the popes and the bishops of the ecclesiastical province of Milan wore it.

Numerous symbolic meanings have been attached to the vestment over the centuries. One tradition says it is a remnant of thealmspurse the popes would customarily wear on their belts to give to the poor and needy. It was also said to be a sign of humility, reminiscent of the towel worn byJesus Christ at thewashing of feet onHoly Thursday.Augustine of Hippo claims it is a remnant of the apparel of the JewishHigh Priest.^[1] The subcinctorium is related to theepigonation worn to this day byEastern Orthodox bishops.^[1]

• Epigonation

• Battandier, Albert (1907),Les ornements du souverain pontife, Annuaire pontifical catholique
•  This article incorporates text from a publication now in thepublic domain: Herbermann, Charles, ed. (1913). "Maniple".Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

• Papal vestments

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