The Purpose of Stole Vestments for People of Cloth

If you’ve ever been to a church with your family, friends, or neighbors, you’ve probably seen the clergy members seated at the front of the altar. A church choir usually provides excellent musical accompaniment to sermons, leading the congregation in hymn singing and prayer.

For members of the clergy, it’s common practice to dress in a certain way while on the job. Church members and choir members alike are subject to this rule. The choir isn’t generally seen in their everyday attire while they’re performing. To represent themselves as choir members, they are often dressed in some kind of robe or church clothes.

Members of the clergy are in the same boat. When you go to church, you rarely see the ministers, priests, or anybody else involved in the service dressed casually. In addition to their distinctive attire, these members of the congregation are dressed in a manner indicative of their responsibilities inside the church.

Each item of clothing worn by choir singers and other churchgoers has a special significance and religious connotation. All of this is based on the roles a person occupies in the church. People in the church have varied duties and responsibilities, just as in any other workplace, and their attire during church services reflects that.

Many various components go into each church garment and attire, all of which work together to form the overall outfit. Each item has a particular religious meaning, as was stated before. Various members of the congregation may be required to wear different headgear, depending on their roles. As part of their church attire, certain clergy are compelled to wear stolen vestments.

Foreground Information
An ordained clergy person wears a modest piece of cloth known as a stole, one of the most prominent vestments.

The stole is an essential part of the ordained minister’s attire. It must be present at all times for the priest to perform his or her duties. The color of the embroidered strip changes according to the season or feast day of the liturgical year.

Stole Vestments: Why Do Priests Wear Them?
Clergy members wear a stole vestment, which is worn by priests, deacons, and bishops to identify themselves as members of the clergy.

The stole is a symbol of the cross Jesus carried when he was on the cross. The priest covers his head with a long, thin piece of fabric. Silk is the traditional material for the stole, however, cotton and other comparable textiles may also be used to make one. Typically, the length of a stole is seven and one-half to nine feet (2.28 to 2.74 meters) and the width is three to four inches (7.62 to 10.16 cm).

A stole is worn around the neck by the priest. The priestly calling is symbolized by this lengthy, colorful strip. Weddings (in white) and confessions are two additional occasions when the stole is worn (purple). Even in the face of his unworthiness, he places his hands on it and prays that he would be able to experience the joy of the Lord. On the deacon’s left shoulder, he wears the stole.

Where Can I Find a Quality Stole Vestment
The difficulty of finding the perfect church attire may vary based on your location and the church you attend. It is Divinity Clergy Wear’s purpose to assist you to fulfill your calling by providing you with inspirational clerical vestments like the stole and the alb.

This eCommerce company specializes in supplying clergy with all of their ceremonial attire needs. Visit divinityclergywear.com for more information.

For more information about Clergy Wear and Surplices Please visit: Divinity Clergy Wear.

0