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What is a Clergy Stole?

Sara Schmidt
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Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 15,339
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In many careers, professionals sport a garment, patch, or other distinguishing piece of clothing to symbolize their credentials and positions within their field. In the religious spectrum, many professionals wear a liturgical vestment called a clergy stole. Usually in the shape of a flat scarf, a clergy stole is worn mostly by members of Christian denominations, although other religions may also utilize the shawl.

A clergy stole is often made of silk, though it can also be created with cotton or other fabrics. It normally is seven and one half to nine feet (2.28 to 2.74 meters) in length and three to four inches (7.62 to 10.16 centimeters) wide. The ends of the religious stole can be straight or flared out to a wider width, depending on its type.

Clergymen and women wear the stole with the center flat against the back of the neck. This allows the long ends to drape down the wearer's body in a parallel fashion. These ends can either be worn in front of the body, either attached or tied together, or hanging loosely down the sides of the body. Depending on the denomination, there may be other specific variations to how the stole may be worn.

Church stoles are typically decorated to indicate the religion of the wearer. They may also feature special designs, patches or other embellishments to indicate any honors, positions, or levels of rank the wearer may have. Many Christian stoles feature a cross pattern somewhere in their design. Contrasting galloons, or an ornamental trim, and fringe can be used on the stole's ends as well.

Different colors are also used for clergy stoles. Most signify various holidays, such as a white stole being used for Christmas services. However, some denominations also use separate colors to differentiate between ranks or degrees held.

Some denominations also use a sweat guard to protect the clergy stole. These are often made out of lace or white linen. Rather than replacing a stole damaged by a clergy member's sweat, the usually white collar offers a cheaper and easier way to preserve the stole.

Originally, the clergy stole was a larger shawl that covered more of the body. Over time, it became narrower, with richer ornamentation to indicate a mark of respect or dignity for the wearer. Though stories of the origin of the clergy stole vary, most agree that the stole used today has history in the Imperial offices of the Roman Empire, where similar stoles were used to designate rank and honor.

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Sara Schmidt
By Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for WiseGeek, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.

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Discussion Comments
By anon191941 — On Jun 29, 2011

In general, the stole worn during religious services is more often keyed to the liturgical season. As far as I know, the only stoles that signify the rank of the wearer are worn in the Catholic Church, as by Bishops, Archbishops, etc.

Stoles can also signify the occasion for which they are worn. For instance, a clergyperson performing a wedding may have a white stole with interlinked rings over the Chi Rho monogram. Or, for Holy Communion, the minister may wear a white stole with patterns of wheat and grapes, or a chalice.

Stoles are also made in Third World communities as a valuable source of income for these villages, and these stoles are frequently made of hand-woven cloth, in patterns appropriate to the culture of the country where they are made.

Sara Schmidt
Sara Schmidt
With a Master's Degree in English from Southeast Missouri State University, Sara Schmidt puts her expertise to use by writing for WiseGeek, plus various magazines, websites, and nonprofit organizations. She published her own novella and has other literary projects in the works. Sara's diverse background includes teaching children in Spain, tutoring college students, running CPR and first aid classes, and organizing student retreats, reflecting her passion for education and community engagement.
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