Christian Cyclopedia

(from Lat. parare, “adorn, prepare, equip”). 1. Paraments in the wide sense include all liturgical vestments, coverings, and hangings; in the narrow sense paraments are distinguished from vestments.

2. Nondecorative altar paraments should be white in all seasons; some have found in this a symbol of unchanging doctrine. These paraments include a linen cloth covering the altar without front overhang and resting on 1 or 2 layers of linen that have no front or side overhang; corporal*; possibly a veil, of silk or linen, ca. 30 or 36 in. square. See also Pall, 1; Purificator.

3. The decorative paraments of altar, lectern, and pulpit are called antependia (sing.: antependium; from Lat. for “frontal hanging”) and are properly in the liturgical color of the season (see Colors, Liturgical); the altar antependium is attached to a linen cloth under the white linen altar covering (see 2).