Editing Surplice (section)

==Lutheranism==
Traditionally, the surplice is used for non-sacramental services, worn over the [[cassock]], such as morning prayer, [[Vespers]], and [[Compline]] without [[Eucharist]].  The surplice is traditionally full-length in the arm and hangs at least down to the knee.<ref>{{cite book|last=Stauffer|first= Anita S. |date=2000|title=Altar Guild and Sacristy Handbook|location =Minneapolis|publisher= Augsburg-Fortress|page= 30}}</ref>

In German Lutheran and United Churches, where the black academic gown with preaching bands have commonly been in use since the early 19th century, the surplice is sometimes worn over the academic gown and preaching bands as a 'compromise' between the black gown, which has become a symbol of Protestantism among Germans, and the traditional Christian symbol of white for grace and the sacrament.<ref>{{cite web|last= Bastanier|first= Ernst Ferdinand Eberhard|title=Wider den schwarzen Talar|language=de|trans-title=Against the Black Talar|url=http://www.quatember.de/J1954/q54165.htm |website=Quatemberg}}</ref>