THE STOLE

HH, Sir Godfrey Gregg D.Div

Stole, an ecclesiastical vestment worn by Roman Catholic deacons, priests, and bishops and by some Anglican, Lutheran, and other Protestant clergies. A band of silk 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimetres) wide and about 8 feet (240 centimetres) long, it is the same colour as the major vestments worn for the occasion. Spiritual Baptist ministers and some Protestant clergy wear stoles with colours or symbols that do not conform to liturgical colours. The Roman Catholic deacon wears it over the left shoulder with ends joined under the right arm; priests and bishops wear it around the neck with ends hanging vertically, except that priests cross the ends in front when wearing an alb. In the Roman Catholic Church, it is a symbol of immortality. It is generally considered the unique badge of the ordained ministry and is conferred at ordination.