The stole is a liturgical vestment of various Christian denominations , which symbolizes priestly authority ; in Protestant denominations which do not have priests but use stoles as a liturgical vestment, however, it symbolizes being a member of the ordained. It consists of a band of colored cloth, usually of silk , about seven and a half to nine feet long and three to four inches wide, whose ends may be straight or may broaden out in the shape of a spade or bell. The center of the stole is worn around the back of the neck and the two ends hang down parallel to each other in front, either attached to each other or hanging loose. The stole is almost always decorated in some way, usually with two crosses, or sometimes another significant religious design. It is often decorated with contrasting galloons (ornamental trim ) and fringe is usually applied to the ends of the stole following Numbers 15:38–39 . A piece of white linen or lace may be stitched onto the back of the collar as a sweat guard, which can be replaced more cheaply than the stole itself.
51-489: The Stole Royal (sometime erroneously called the Armilla ) is an item of regalia used during the coronation of a British monarch, similar to the stoles worn as vestments by clergymen. It is donned after the anointing of the monarch and is worn throughout the crowning, receiving of homage and conclusion of the communion. The Stole Royal is removed, with other garments, before the procession from Westminster Abbey for which
102-598: A pulpit robe (with a preaching scarf ) or simply a suit during church services , but the wearing of stoles by clergy has increased since the mid-1970s. During the English Reformation , the stole, along with most other sacramental vestments, were removed from the Church of England. The Oxford Movement began an interest in pre-Reformation worship, and eventually the stole (along with other vestments) were revived among Anglo-Catholic clergy. Though today, it
153-436: A kind of liturgical napkin called an orarium (cf. orarion ) very similar to the sudarium . In fact, in many places the stole is called the orarium. Therefore, it is linked to the napkin used by Christ in washing the feet of his disciples, and is a fitting symbol of the yoke of Christ, the yoke of service. The most likely origin for the stole, however, is to be connected with the scarf of office among Imperial officials in
204-649: A love gift at ordination or at other life milestones. Generally, Protestant clergy wear the stole in the same manner as Catholic priests—around the back of the neck with the ends hanging down the front (though not crossed). Stoles are commonly worn by ordained ministers in Anglican , Lutheran , and Methodist denominations. In less liturgical Protestant denominations, such as the Presbyterian , United Church of Christ , Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) , and Unitarian Universalist , clergy traditionally wore either
255-414: A person as belonging to a particular organization and to denote their rank within their group, a function which the stole continues to perform today. Thus, unlike other liturgical garments which were originally worn by every cleric or layman, the stole was a garment which was specifically restricted to particular classes of people based on occupation. Stoles were already used in pre-Roman Italic religion. In
306-555: A sash. Before the reform of the liturgy after the Second Vatican Council, priests who were not bishops were required to cross the stole over the breast (as pictured below), but only at Mass or at other functions at which a chasuble or cope was worn. It is now often worn hanging straight down without being crossed across the breast. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, which is the liturgical law for
357-525: A special stole of state highly decorated and bearing his personal coat of arms . For the celebration of the Mass, the principal celebrant as well as concelebrants wear the stole over the alb but under the chasuble. Likewise, the deacon wears the stole over the alb but under the dalmatic. The stole is also worn over the surplice or alb for the distribution and reception of Holy Communion. The priest or deacon who presides in paraliturgical celebrations, such as
408-574: A stole around the shoulder as in the Anglican and Roman traditions. An ordained elder wears the stole in the same fashion as an Anglican or Roman Catholic priest, with the role of elder being the Methodist equivalent, among other Protestant denominations, to that office. The English word "priest" is in fact derived from the Greek word presbyter , which means "elder". In The Byzantine Rite practice of
459-436: A stole. Many candidates objected to wearing it because of their theological and traditional allegiances. Finally, Geoffrey Fisher , Archbishop of Canterbury, had to resolve the matter, and instructed that all bishops must not refuse ordination simply because the candidate was unwilling to wear the stole. Today, there is less controversy. When a stole is used in a deacon's ordination, it may be conferred on him or her and worn over
510-566: A wide range of colors. Worshipful Company of Girdlers The Worshipful Company of Girdlers is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London . Girdlers were granted the right to regulate their trade in the City from 1327 and obtained a Royal Charter in 1449. Girdlers, or makers of belts and girdles , are no longer closely related to their original trade. Along with
561-726: Is diagonally and conjoined at the side) represents service. In the Eastern Orthodox Church the symbolism is the same, though it also symbolizes particularly the anointing with oil which accompanies ordination, and which flows down the body as the stole does. The stole worn for the celebration of the Holy Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours matches the liturgical color of the day. In the Latin Catholic tradition
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#1732790483400612-595: Is not a separate order of ordination.) However, certain Lutheran churches, such as the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Finland and the Church of Sweden , practice the three-fold ministry of holy orders (in that the orders of deacon, priest, and bishop are separate ordinations). In such churches, wearing a deacon's stole when assisting in a liturgy is an official rule, and different rubrics exist for
663-456: Is not uncommon for a Low Church priest to wear a stole with choir dress, stricter ones may still object to its use, and wear the tippet instead. This re-introduction of the stole continued to cause concern even in the 20th century. During the 1950s, the Bishop of London, William Wand , and the Bishop of Oxford, Kenneth Kirk , refused to ordain any candidate to the priesthood who would not wear
714-493: Is only common in the most traditional Orthodox churches. In many Eastern traditions, the stole is always worn "doubled" unless the deacon in question is wearing only his exorasson (outer cassock) and then it is essentially folded and worn over the left shoulder. The subdeacon wears his orarion over both shoulders, crossed in the back and the front. Those acting as subdeacons (i.e., vested and serving as subdeacons but without having been ordained) wear their orarion crossed only in
765-404: Is usually wider and can be made from a wide variety of material. There are many theories as to the "ancestry" of the stole. Some say it came from the tallit (Jewish prayer mantle), because it is very similar to the present usage (as in the minister puts it on when he or she leads in prayer) but this theory is no longer regarded much today. More popular is the theory that the stole originated from
816-559: Is vesting for the Divine Liturgy , he says the following prayer before putting on the epitrachelion: Blessed is God, Who poureth out His grace upon His priests, like the oil of myrrh upon the head, which runneth down upon the beard, upon the beard of Aaron : which runneth down to the fringe of his raiment. (Cf. Psalm 132:2, LXX ) In the Russian Orthodox tradition, the priest may say a special blessing and sprinkle
867-643: The Armilla , though this refers to the two mediaeval style armlets donned at around the same time as the Stole Royal. The practice of using a Stole Royal at coronations is thought to date back many years. King Edward I was buried in his coronation robes, and when his tomb was opened in 1774 a stole was among the items found. Queen Victoria 's Stole Royal was lined with crimson sarsenet and embroidered with eagles, roses, fleurs-de-lys, crosses and crowns. The stole worn by Edward VII at his 1902 coronation
918-564: The Eastern Orthodox and Greek Catholic churches, the stole worn by a deacon is called an orarion , while that worn by a priest or bishop is called an epitrachelion (a bishop additionally wears an omophorion ), all similar in meaning and use to the Western stole. In Greek Orthodox practice, the deacon wears a double orarion, meaning it comes over the left arm and under the right. Minor clerics (and in Greek and Melkite traditions
969-554: The Home Nations and Commonwealth Realms including a Tudor rose (England), a leek (Wales), shamrock (Northern Ireland), thistle (Scotland), wattle flower (Australia), maple leaf (Canada), two types of lotus (India and Sri Lanka), fern (New Zealand), cotton, jute and wheat (Pakistan) and the protea (South Africa). A new Stole Royal was made in 2023 for Charles III by the Royal School of Needlework , taking inspiration from
1020-516: The Imperial Robe is worn. The monarch enters Westminster Abbey for their coronation wearing the Robe of State . This is removed for the anointing ceremony in which they wear the colobium sindonis ('shroud tunic'), an intentionally plain robe. After the anointing the monarch dons the more ornate Supertunica over the colobium . After they have been invested with regalia including
1071-521: The Roman Empire . As members of the clergy became members of the Roman administration (see Constantine I and Christianity ) they were granted certain honors, one specifically being a designator of rank within the imperial (and ecclesiastical) hierarchy. The various configurations of the stole (including the pallium or the omophorion ) grew out of this usage. The original intent, then was to designate
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#17327904834001122-689: The Spurs , Sword of Offering and the Armills the monarch dons the Stole Royal and Robe Royal over the top of the Supertunica for their crowning ceremony. Immediately after donning the Stole Royal and Robe Royal the monarch is invested with the Orb , Ring and Sceptres . After the monarch is crowned by the Archbishop of Canterbury and receives homage from the bishops, peers of the realm and members of
1173-539: The Umbrian Iguvine Tablets , a stole was used by an officiating priest during offering rituals. It was worn on the shoulder during a sacrifice, and then placed on an offering cake: While you are slaying it, wear a stole on your right shoulder. When you have slain it, place (the stole) upon the mefa cake. While you are presenting it, wear the stole on your right shoulder. Present grain-offerings and sacrifice with mead. (ibid, pg. 164) Together with
1224-468: The absolution , the penitent will often kiss the priest's hand and then one of the crosses on the edge of the epitrachelion. At an Orthodox wedding, the priest will have the bridal couple hold the edge of his epitrachelion as he leads them in a procession three times around the Gospel Book , symbolizing the pilgrimage of life. The protodeacon or archdeacon wears the orarion "doubled", i.e., over
1275-449: The altar servers as well) wear an orarion wrapped around their waist, crossed in back, and then either crossed again in front and tucked under the belted section or not crossed and tucked in (see explanation of subdeacon below). The priest 's epitrachelion consists of a long strip of cloth, hung around the neck with the two strips fastened together in front, either by buttons or by stitching. The epitrachelion comes down in front almost to
1326-516: The cincture and the now mostly defunct maniple , the stole symbolizes the bonds and fetters with which Jesus was bound during his Passion ; it is usually ornamented with a cross. Another version is that the stole denotes the duty to spread the Word of God . In the Catholic Church 's Latin liturgical rites , the priests' stole represents priestly authority, while the diaconal stole (which
1377-808: The 1953 stole of his predecessor, Elizabeth II. It is adorned with emblems of the four countries of the United Kingdom, a dove representing the Holy Spirit , a Tudor-style crown, and a pattern based on the Cosmati Pavement in Westminster Abbey. Royal Collection Trust: Stole (vestment) The word stole derives via the Latin stola , from the Greek στολή ( stolē ), "garment", originally "array" or "equipment". The stole
1428-643: The Empire in coloured thread and arranged in a flowing pattern. Elizabeth II wore a narrow Stole Royal of gold silk with fringed ends and a lining of red silk. This Stole Royal was made in 1953 by the Worshipful Company of Girdlers , based on mediaeval patterns. It had intricate embroidery showing various religious, national and Commonwealth symbols. Among the Christian symbols used are the crosses of Saint Andrew , Saint George and Saint Patrick ,
1479-555: The Empire, surmounted by symbols of the Home Nations : a rose (for England), thistle (for Scotland), shamrock (for Ireland), dragon (for Wales). Above these were symbols of the dominions: a lotus (for India), maple (for Canada), wattle flower (for South Africa), the Southern Cross (for Australia) and the stars from the New Zealand flag. The Stole Royal of George VI was made of cloth of gold and decorated with symbols of
1530-504: The Robes and the Master of the Robes or Mistress of the Robes . The Stole Royal is similar to the stoles worn as vestments by clergymen. It is a long, narrow length of cloth worn around the neck with the two ends hanging down the front. The Stoles Royal are usually embroidered with gold and silver thread and decorated with jewels and pearls. The Stole Royal is sometimes improperly called
1581-600: The Roman Catholic Church concerning the Mass, no longer makes explicit that a Priest must cross his stole. It states, "the stole is worn by the Priest around his neck and hanging down in front of his chest..." (GIRM §340). Unless there is a law promulgated by a particular diocese or other ordinary, it is left to the priest to interpret what this means. On solemn occasions, the Pope wears, as part of his choir dress ,
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1632-766: The Royal Family, the act of communion is concluded and the monarch proceeds to the shrine and tomb of Saint Edward the Confessor . Here the regalia, Robe Royal and Stole Royal are removed and replaced with the Imperial Robe which is worn for the ceremonial procession out of the church. During the Coronation the monarch is enrobed by the Lord Great Chamberlain who is assisted by the Groom of
1683-530: The Stations of the Cross, usually wears the stole over the surplice (or alb), and always under the cope. In Catholic practice, the vesting prayer for the stole is: Redde mihi, Domine, obsecro, stolam immortalitatis, quam perdidi in prævaricatione primi parentis: et, quamvis indignus accedo ad tuum sacrum mysterium, merear tamen gaudium sempiternum. Amen. ("Restore to me, O Lord, the robe of immortality, which
1734-461: The acceptance of stoles by Unitarian Universalist clergy was the formation in the late 1960s of the Congregation of Abraxas, a short-lived effort to "draw upon the world's traditions of awe, repentance, thanksgiving, and service, and to renew those forms for the liberal religious communities." Vern Barnet, an Abraxas founder, states that "our success has been mainly in modeling for our colleagues
1785-485: The back, to show that they do not bear holy orders . In the Oriental Orthodox Churches , the priestly stole is very similar to the epitrachelion described above; however, instead of a long narrow strip of fabric that is wrapped around the neck and fastened together, it is often cut out of a single broad piece of cloth that has a hole cut in it for the head to pass through. Sometimes, depending upon
1836-609: The day of the coronation. The coronation (which is always in the context of a Eucharist ) is an official liturgy of the Church of England ; the Archbishop of Canterbury has responsibility for the ceremony and is almost always its presider. A stole is used in the Mandaean religion by the priests during rituals. Historically, Unitarian and Universalist ministers wore street clothes, formal morning coats, or academic gowns while leading worship; stoles were rare. A key moment in
1887-489: The epitrachelion with holy water before it is worn for the first time. A priest is not permitted to celebrate even the simplest service, even the Daily Office , unless he is wearing the epitrachelion (and in some traditions the epimanikia , or "cuffs", as well). When a member of the faithful goes to Confession , the priest places the edge of his epitrachelion over the head of the penitent as he confesses his sins. After
1938-418: The hem of his robes, and is symbolic of the priest's "anointing" ( Septuagint : Psalm 132:2; KJV : Psalm 133 :2). Traditionally—though not necessarily—the epitrachelion will have seven crosses on it: six in the front (three on each side) and one on the back of the collar. The priest traditionally blesses the cross on the collar and kisses it before he puts it on, and kisses it again when he takes it off. When he
1989-413: The left shoulder, under the right arm, and passing again over the left shoulder. The two ends hang down, one in the front and one in the back, coming down almost to the hem of his sticharion (dalmatic). A deacon wears an orarion which simply passes over the left shoulder, the two ends of which hang straight down, one in the front and one in the back, coming down almost to the hem of his sticharion. This
2040-532: The liturgical Rite, it also extends farther down the back. The British monarch , although not in holy orders , is anointed with the oil of chrism and invested with a stole during the coronation rite . This stole, made of gold silk, is officially named the Stole Royal or Armilla , and is one of several coronation robes kept overnight in the Jerusalem Chamber of Westminster Abbey before
2091-507: The number of former Catholic and Orthodox people who became UUs in the course of the 20th century. Today, a stole/scarf/tippet is worn by many Unitarian Universalist ministers during weekly worship services as a symbol of ordained ministry. Other participants in the service may also wear stoles. Unitarian Universalist stoles often are adorned with the Unitarian Universalist Flaming Chalice and come in
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2142-481: The patron saints of Scotland, England and Ireland, and the crossed keys of Saint Peter , an early leader of the Christian church. Also included are symbols associated with the Four Evangelists : an angel for Matthew , a winged lion for Mark , a winged bull for Luke and an eagle for John . A dove represents the Holy Spirit and a crowned eagle also features. Depictions of plants were used to represent
2193-560: The products of many other Livery Companies, girdles have become less important than in medieval times. However, the Company continues its long tradition as a charitable body. The Girdlers' Company ranks twenty-third in the order of precedence among City Livery Companies. The Company's motto is Give Thanks To God . Girdler's carpet 51°31′01″N 0°05′26″W / 51.51704°N 0.09064°W / 51.51704; -0.09064 This London -related article
2244-479: The shoulder. At ordination to the priesthood , the newly ordained priest then wears the stole around his or her neck, hanging down in front, either straight down or less commonly crossed across the front of the body and secured with the cincture . In the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), both Ministers of Word and Sacrament ( pastors ) and Ministers of Word and Service ( deacons ) are entitled to wear
2295-712: The stole as both orders are ordained, though many deacons choose not to do so. ELCA pastors generally wear the stole hanging straight down while deacons wear them over one shoulder as in the Anglican and Roman traditions. In the Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod (LCMS) and the Independent Evangelical-Lutheran Church ( Germany ), only pastors wear the stole, as there is only the one order of ordination, that of pastor, in these Lutheran traditions. (The office of bishop for Episcopal polity and president for Congregational Polity
2346-531: The stole is the vestment that marks recipients of Holy Orders . It is conferred at the ordination of a deacon , by which one becomes a member of the clergy after the suppression of the tonsure and minor orders after the Second Vatican Council . A bishop or other priest wears the stole around his neck with the ends hanging down in front, while the deacon places it over his left shoulder and ties it cross-wise at his right side, similar to
2397-474: The use of the stole by priests and bishops. Ordained clergy of the Church of Sweden follow the use described for Anglican deacons and priests in this article, except the practice of wearing the stole hanging straight down is reserved for bishops (priests wear it crossed over the chest except over a surplice, when no cincture is worn). In the United Methodist Church , ordained deacons wear
2448-498: The wearing of stoles or other vestments" and notes the wearing by Eugene Pickett, president of the Unitarian Universalist Association, of a stole given him by the Congregation of Abraxas at a General Assembly in the mid-1970s. At about the same time, the increased number of women entered Unitarian Universalist ministry may have been a factor in the rising popularity of stoles. So may the increase in
2499-430: Was 3 inches (7.6 cm) wide and an ell, 45 inches (110 cm) long. The Stole Royal of George V was made of cloth of gold with a rose-coloured silk lining. The stole was 3 inches (7.6 cm) in width and 9 feet (270 cm) in length and had a gold bullion fringe at either end. At each end it had the red cross of Saint George on white background. Above the cross was embroidery depicting an eagle, representing
2550-411: Was lost in the transgression of our first parents, and, inasmuch as I approach your Sacred Mysteries in an unworthy manner, nevertheless, may I be made deserving of eternal blessedness.") In Protestant churches, the stole is most often seen as the symbol of ordination and the office of the ministry of Word and Sacrament . Stoles are often given by the congregation (sometimes hand-made or decorated) as
2601-403: Was originally a kind of shawl that covered the shoulders and fell down in front of the body; on women they were often very large. After being adopted by the Church of Rome around the seventh century (the stole having also been adopted in other locales prior to this), the stole gradually became narrower and started to feature more ornate designs, developing into a mark of dignity. Nowadays, the stole
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