Mitres, some Lutheran bishops don, others don't

[EvangelCatholic]

Interested in opinions on the mitre, the headgear some of our bishops wear. It seems that in some Lutheran synods/ national bodies the mitre is conspicuously not worn. The Church of Denmark/ Norway/ Iceland and probably most of Germany are examples. While bishops in the Church of Sweden/ Finland/ Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Jordan, India and some countries in Africa do wear mitres.

In north America it is a mixed bag. For example, I have never seen a photo of the presiding bishops in the ELCA/ ELCC wearing mitres but some synod bishops do. Same story in the LCMS.

Any opinions or is this a silly topic?

 

[SalusaSecundus]

Interested in opinions on the mitre, the headgear some of our bishops wear. It seems that in some Lutheran synods/ national bodies the mitre is conspicuously not worn. The Church of Denmark/ Norway/ Iceland and probably most of Germany are examples. While bishops in the Church of Sweden/ Finland/ Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Jordan, India and some countries in Africa do wear mitres.

In north America it is a mixed bag. For example, I have never seen a photo of the presiding bishops in the ELCA/ ELCC wearing mitres but some synod bishops do. Same story in the LCMS.

Any opinions or is this a silly topic?

Stylistic preferences. I personally haven't seen any headwear in my synod.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Suppose I should do the research but does anyone know the origin of the mitre? Or why it is worn by some bishops and not others?

Here's a better photo of a LCMS district president in mitre as well as an African bishop at an LCMS Mass. And other bishops with or without mitres?

 

[Cappadocious]

Suppose I should do the research but does anyone know the origin of the mitre?

The Eastern Roman court.

 

[MarkRohfrietsch]

<snip>
Any opinions or is this a silly topic?

Adiaphora.

Actually, the Bishop (president) of the English District of the LCMS does:

 

[Kalevalatar]

In the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland, the mitre is optional. Some bishops do wear it and others don't. For example, Archbishop Emeritus John Vikström haven't worn his since his own ordination. He's been asked about it and answered that his reasons for leaving it home are mostly pragmatic: the headgear feels awkward. He also believes the mitre is too much of a "king's crown" and separates bishops from pastors even though there is but one office of ministry in the church for administering Sacraments and the Word, and by not wearing the mitre he personally likes to underline that.

 

[GoingByzantine]

I believe some Ukrainian Lutheran pastors wear the Kamilavka with a Klobuk.

Interestingly enough their liturgy is a modified version of the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Adiaphora.

Actually, the Bishop (president) of the English District of the LCMS does:

It's interesting that many English District Lutherans left the LCMS to help form the ELCA; they all seemed very liturgical and valued semi-autonomy.

 

[EvangelCatholic]

I believe some Ukrainian Lutheran pastors wear the Kamilavka with a Klobuk.

Interestingly enough their liturgy is a modified version of the liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

The WELC discuss this Ukraine: Mission History | Wisconsin Evangelical Lutheran Synod

 

[EvangelCatholic]

Mitres are kind of intimidating. My bishop is 6'3". Rocket Man

 

[Imperiuz]

I'm a former Lutheran who was born into the Church of Sweden. I've always assumed that this difference stems from the different origins of the lutehran churches. The Church of Sweden, much like the Anglican Communion, is a breakaway from the Catholic Church, and has thus preserved much of it's "high church" catholic heritage, sometimes even including the veneration of some local saints, despite being one of the most liberal churches in the world today. This is what their bishops look like:

 

[EvangelCatholic]

I'm a former Lutheran who was born into the Church of Sweden. I've always assumed that this difference stems from the different origins of the lutehran churches. The Church of Sweden, much like the Anglican Communion, is a breakaway from the Catholic Church, and has thus preserved much of it's "high church" catholic heritage, sometimes even including the veneration of some local saints, despite being one of the most liberal churches in the world today. This is what their bishops look like:

Lutherans are most definitely the 'via media' between Catholic and Protestant.

 

[Sword of the Lord]

I'm a former Lutheran who was born into the Church of Sweden. I've always assumed that this difference stems from the different origins of the lutehran churches. The Church of Sweden, much like the Anglican Communion, is a breakaway from the Catholic Church, and has thus preserved much of it's "high church" catholic heritage, sometimes even including the veneration of some local saints, despite being one of the most liberal churches in the world today. This is what their bishops look like:

The women look ridiculous. I wonder if they realize this.

 

[Athanasias]

The women look ridiculous. I wonder if they realize this.

Amen! I thought I was the only one who was thinking that. But thank you for saying what I and probably many on here were thinking too!

 

[EvangelCatholic]

The women look ridiculous. I wonder if they realize this.

Some would say that mitres look ridiculous. Ever hear Bill Maher talk about how "ridiculous the pointy hats look" on bishops?

I think these faithful female bishops are humbled to be consecrated the 'pastor of pastors'/ servant of the servants of Christ.

Let's face it our clergy are growing old [first photo]; we need young priests, male and female, in my opinion. Look at the smiles on these newly ordained [second photo].