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Significance  of  Eiturgical  Colore


Violet — A  shade  of  purple,  the  color  of  royalty.  It  symbol-
izes the  majesty  of  Christ  in  His  humility.  Being  a  sober,  ear-
nest color,  it  invites  to  meditation,  and  has  been  a'dopted  by  the
Church  for  the  two  great  seasons  of  preparation — seasons  of
fasting  and  prayer.
White. — The  color  of  light.  Also  of  those  who  minister  in
God's  presence — Angels,  Rev.  15:6.  The  Elders,  Rev.  4:4.
The  Saints  in  heaven,  Rev.  7  :  9,  14.  Hence,  those  who  minister
in  holy  things  in  the  Sanctuary  may  appropriately  be  robed  in
white.  This  color  symbolizes  Divinity,  Dan.  7 : 9,  Matt.  17:2;
purity,  Rev.  19:8;  victory,  Rev.  3:4,  5;  6:  11.
Green — The  common  color  of  nature,  in  the  freshness  of  her
bloom.  Restful  to  the  eye,  and  widely  diffused,  it  is  used  by  the
Church  for  her  common  seasons.  It  is  also  symbolic  of  the
Christian  life,  which  is  the  fruit  of  God's  grace,  set  forth  in  the
services  of  the  Season  when  nature  dons  her  green  vesture  and
brings  forth  her  best  fruits.
Red.  — The  color  of  blood  and  fire.  It  is  symbolical  of
sin  and  its  atonement.  Also  of  the  Church,  redeemed  by  the
blood  of  Christ,  and  testified  by  the  blood  of  martyrs.  Her  faith
and  zeal  are  enkindled  and  perpetuated  by  the  fire  of  God's  Holy
Spirit.
Black The  color  of  darkness,  the  absence  of  light.  Sym-
bolical of  death,  and  the  deepest  sorrow  and  humility.
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