Cardinal’s Cassock

Cardinal (Catholic Church)

A cardinal is a senior member of the clergy of the Catholic Church. As titular members of the clergy of the Diocese of Rome, they serve as advisors to the pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the visible head of the worldwide Catholic Church. Cardinals are chosen and formally created by the pope, and typically hold the title for life. Collectively, they constitute the College of Cardinals. The most solemn responsibility of the cardinals is to elect a new pope in a conclave when the Holy See is vacant. With a few historical exceptions, popes are elected from among the College of Cardinals.

Cardinal (color)

Cardinal is a vivid red, which may get its name from the cassocks worn by Catholic cardinals. The cardinal bird also takes its name from the cardinal bishops.

Cassock

The cassock, or soutane, is a Christian clerical robe used by the clergy and male religious of the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox Church and the Oriental Orthodox Churches, in addition to some clergy in certain Protestant denominations such as Anglicans, Presbyterians and Lutherans. "Ankle-length garment" is the literal meaning of the corresponding Latin term, vestis talaris. It is related to the habits traditionally worn by nuns, monks, and friars.

cardinal

Adjective

1. Of fundamental importance; crucial, pivotal.
2. Of or relating to the cardinal directions (north, south, east and west).

Noun

1. One of the officials appointed by the pope in the Roman Catholic Church, ranking only below the pope, equal to the patriarchs, constituting the special college which elects the pope.
2. Any of various species of New-World passerine songbird in the genus Cardinalis, or in the family Cardinalidae more generally, or of similar appearance and once considered to be related to the former; so called because of their red plumage. (See Wikipedia article for taxonomical information.)

cassock

Noun

1. An item of clerical clothing: a long, sheath-like, close-fitting, ankle-length robe worn by clergy members of some Christian denominations. .mw-parser-output .defdate{font-size:smaller}
2. A military cloak or long coat worn by soldiers or horsemen in the 16th and 17th centuries.