Mitra

This word of Greek origin describes the head cover of the bishops that is worn during certain religious services or at certain moments during the same religious service. It has a round or cylindrical shape and it is fashioned after the crowns of the ancient Persian kings, also known as tiaras.

It is made of silk, satin, velvet, or precious metals and is decorated with evangelical figures, symbolic signs or scenes representing the dedication day of the church to which it belongs. Above, on the top of the skullcap, the sign of the cross is displayed, made from gold or silver, set in precious stones.

The mitre as a sacerdotal garment symbolises the crown of thorns that Jesus was mocked and tormented with, prior to his Crucifixion. Its use as a liturgical garment is relatively recent. Until the14th and the 15th centuries, the patriarchs and the bishops officiated bareheaded.


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