The cope (known in Latin as pluviale 'rain coat' or cappa 'cape') is a liturgical vestment, more precisely a long mantle or cloak, open in front and fastened at the breast with a band or clasp. It may be of any liturgical colour.

A cope may be worn by any rank of the clergy, and also by lay ministers in certain circumstances. If worn by a bishop, it is generally accompanied by a mitre. The clasp, which is often highly ornamented, is called a morse. In art, angels are often shown wearing copes, especially in Early Netherlandish painting.

History

There has been little change in the character of the vestment from the earliest ages. Then as now it was made of a piece of silk or other cloth of semicircular shape, which distinguished it from the earlier form of chasuble, as a chasuble had straight edges sewn together in front. Both are similar in form and origin to the Orthodox phelonion.

The only noticeable modification which the cope has undergone lies in the disappearance of the hood. Some early examples feature a triangular hood, which was intended to be of practical utility in covering the head in processions, etc., but over time the hood became merely ornamental, and is commonly represented by a sort of shield of embroidery, sometimes adorned with a fringe or tassel. The fact that in many early chasubles, as depicted in the drawings of the eighth and ninth centuries, we see clear traces of a primitive hood, strongly confirms the view that in their origin cope and chasuble were identical, the chasuble being only a cope with its edges sewn together.

Cope is a surname, and may refer to

"Cope" is a song written and performed by Gigolo Aunts. Originally available as the B-side to the independently released 1991 "Bloom" 7" single, it was released as a single in its own right in October 1992 on Fire Records and later appeared on the Gigolo Aunts' album Flippin' Out. In support of that album, it was released as a promo single in the US in 1994 by RCA/BMG. The promo single includes a cover of "Winsor Dam", a 1991 recording by Big Dipper that did not receive its formal release until the 2008 compilation album, "Supercluster: The Big Dipper Anthology". Note that while the single attributes the writing credits for "Winsor Dam" to Goffrier/Oliphant/Michener/Waleik, other sources identify the writer of the song as Big Dipper guitarist, Gary Waleik.

Track listing

UK Single (Fire Records) Catalog Number: blaze58 (1992) Format: 7" single

UK White Label Promo Single (Fire Records) Catalog Number: blaze58 (1992) Format: 7" single