The History and Significance of Bishop Rings

 The bishop rings are the sign of emblem of the highest clergy in the Catholic Church. When hallowing a bishop, the archbishop or pope hands him a gold ring along with other elements of insignia. It is the symbol that he belongs to church. In fact, bishop has the authority or receive or purchase other rings as a gift. Episcopal ting is a prominent sign of importance.

The clergy does not have the right to part with it. Bishops use to pass these rings from one to another by inheritance. Therefore, no one can be the owner of these rings. The ring belongs to the church, so that there are taken back after the demise of bishops or his abdication. Learn more about the history and significance of Bishop Ringsin the below lines.

History of the Bishop Ring

It is an ancient custom to wear the bishop’s ring long time ago. Around 600 AD, this tradition had introduced. Since, it represents the bishop’s marriage with the church. He uses to wear this ring in his right hand in the ring finger. Moreover, the Episcopal ring, clerics and popes wore different sorts of Christian religious rings. This custom stopped toward the finish of the nineteenth century when the congregation prohibited the synchronous wearing of a few stately rings.

The traditional religious ring was huge and large and it was formed with pure Gold with a mandatory huge gem in the middle, and often ornamented with minor stones as a supplementary accent. Now by the passage of time, most of the bishops have moved away from this tradition using this ring or ornament. The use to wear wide golden signets or bands with common place Christian symbols.

Significance of Bishops ring

Episcopal ring symbolizes that a Bishop has married to his eparchy. This ring has no gem inlay but it contains a signet design. It is used to make an impression in the hot wax to seal the confidential documents as a stamp.

It does not mean that this ring is limited to identification work. Some rings have holy relics. These are given to successor from the predecessor. The modern rings are holy but these are not relicts. These rings are the signs of respect for the bishop’s congregations, clerics, authority. It is another tradition to kiss the Episcopal ring in the bishop’s hand. Even, today, it happens since it is taken as the element of piety.

Is it a Fashion Item?

People use to put on the crucifixes and crosses without giving them any religious important, these rings cannot catch the attention of fashion influencers and designers. It is not difficult to understand its reason. May be, due to its huge size or an extra-ordinary massive appearance.

Most of the informal groups use to wear these rings. Some of the subcultural followers use these rings too. For instance, the bikers like to wear these rings instead of using an attractive trinket. These are available on the jewelry shops.