Gaudy peacocks at Prince Phillip’s memorial service

tidyskatemum

I was rather more taken with the fact that the entire royal family, including all but the smallest children, were there together with all the crowned heads of Europe. The notable exception should be hanging his head in shame.

Who's not there?

As this service is being broadcast around the world, I found the robes of the clergy apt for the occasion.

Honeysuckleberries

I might have phrased my post in a flippant manner but I genuinely do not understand why the garments are smothered in gold braid, gold embroidery and are brightly coloured and extravagant. What is the point in showing off? Does God take more notice if they wear such garments? They look like they are taking part in a theatrical show rather than being religious and humble. I look at nuns and Buddhist monks and other religions with their modest way of dress and can’t help compare the message that they send out.

There are more ways than one of praising God. Putting on their best clothes to visit his house, as though they were celebrating visiting a good friend, is one that appeals to some people. Not doing so appeals more to you as more ascetic. God doesn't care whether we wear our best clothes or are in our gardening gear, but the other way round equally applies, and he is not automatically impressed if someone ostentatiously wears rags as a declaration to the world that he/she is better than anyone else because of it.

This memorial service is a celebration of the life of a well-loved husband, father and grandfather. It is a kind of party at which the clergy are at liberty to wear celebration clothes.

Horrible opening post - so disrespectful.

A much more pleasant and fitting tribute to prince Philip than last year’s sad Covid rules allowed.

I will leave it to others with far greater knowledge than me to comment on the vestments worn by the Clergy.

I thought the service was a fitting memorial to Prince Philip, with beautiful music and words and it was lovely to see the Queen smiling with the DofE gold award winner as she left the Abbey.

All I know about the robes, is, my OHs grandmother spent all her adult life embroidering them. She collapsed and died at her embroidery frame.

and I do think the use of the phrase to do with a certain body part is totally uncalled for.

Honeysuckle I get your point. I do think you would have been better to have a separate thread on another day, and not attached to PP memorial service.

An extremely unpleasant and uncouth opening post.

I look at nuns and Buddhist monks and other religions with their modest way of dress and can’t help compare the message that they send out.

You might want to have a rethink about the message that your opening post is sending out whilst you're about it. "
And the collective noun for peacocks is "a muster", not a flock.

I was rather more taken with the fact that the entire royal family, including all but the smallest children, were there together with all the crowned heads of Europe. The notable exception should be hanging his head in shame.

How disrespectful of the OP.

I might have phrased my post in a flippant manner but I genuinely do not understand why the garments are smothered in gold braid, gold embroidery and are brightly coloured and extravagant. What is the point in showing off? Does God take more notice if they wear such garments? They look like they are taking part in a theatrical show rather than being religious and humble. I look at nuns and Buddhist monks and other religions with their modest way of dress and can’t help compare the message that they send out.

Typo - missed out a "not" That should have read, "they are not being renewed every few months out of the donations in the collection box" . Completly reversed the meaning!

"The Church" is a very generalised label. In the UK there are many different denominations of Chritianity, each with its own "dress code" A few wear flamboyant robes frequently, some have beautiful embroidered vestments for special occasions, some wear sombre black or clerical grey, quite a lot wear "geneva bands" with ordinary clothes, to identify them , and some can't be distinguished at all by their clothing. Plus there are congregations of other faiths, with a similar mixture of sartorial tradition. Just as in other walks of life!

The choice of clothing has nothing to do with the genuineness of their calling, and the garments themselves last an extremely long time - they are not exposed to the soup-stains and rips and tears of everyday life - so they are being renewed every few months out of the donations in the collection box.

Have you checked on how much churches are doing for the poor and the despairing, BTW? I think you'll find it passes the cost of those outfits each year by several times. Live and let live.

What an unpleasant OP.

Completely agree; I felt a bit dirty after I'd read it.

Never mind the peacocks, what about Liz Truss sitting with legs crossed on the front row in fishnet tights! And I do wish bozzer wouldn't sit with his legs splayed and bright blue tie dangling over his crotch.

merlotgran

What an unpleasant OP.

I agree! Very strange.

What an unpleasant OP.

Churches have always had a lot of money.

Can't say I noticed the peacocks!