Pectoral cord
A Pektoralkordel or Pektoralschnur serves to secure the chest Cross ( pectoral ) of high dignitaries of the Roman Catholic and Orthodox church.
In the Latin Church it is worn in different colors depending on the rank:
- Bishop or Archbishop : green-gold,
- Cardinal : red-gold,
- Pope : golden.
In the Orthodox churches all patriarchs, regardless of their rank, wear a golden pectoral cord.
The pectoral cord hangs over the shoulders on both sides. It converges on the wearer's chest, where the pectoral is attached to a hook. There is a tassel at the end of the end of the cord that runs across the back. So that the pectoral does not slip, a total of three "locks" are attached: one at the back of the neck, one in front of the neck and the third a little bit above the pectoral.
Web links
- Dieter Philippi: Pectoral cords , on the Philippi Collection website .