Clergy Stoles are somewhat interesting vestments, to say the least. You’ll be liable to see them in quite a range of clerical settings where they may be worn differently according to the customs of the setting. That might be a fairly nebulous statement, so only give us a short time to clarify what we mean and we are confident you will understand.

The first reason that clergy stoles make interesting vestments is that various different organizations and churches do not seem to agree on the method in which they are to be worn, when, or even how they are to be styled. A stole, in general, is recognizable as a band of silk or fabric that is worn along with other vestments. Depending on the sect and setting, you might see the stole draped over the shoulders of a priest with the ends hanging loosely, or you may see it wrapped around the neck of another with the ends joined. Colors, symbols, and ornamentation of clergy stoles vary significantly. The color is typically matched to the other vestments with which it is paired, but that is neither a hard nor a fast rule.

Clergy stoles are also interesting because, like some other vestments and traditions of the church, their origins are shrouded in the mists of mysterious antiquity. While there is little arguing that a clergy stole is a representation of some clerical office, no one is entirely sure how the stole originated or where.

One theory suggests that stoles are adaptations of similar secular garments that signified a rank or office. Whatever the case, stoles were first worn in Eastern churches and only later spread throughout the church in the west, whereby through revolution and reform over the centuries that would come it was also absorbed into protestant and other divisions of the church.

Whether the clergy of your church wear stoles to signify ordained rank or simply to nod to the tradition of the garment, you will find quite a selection of clergy stoles waiting for you at DivinityClergyWear.com. At Divinity Clergy Wear, you’ll easily be able to shop through one of the widest selections of vestments and clerical garments that you’ll be able to find anywhere on the web.

Consider, for example, their Clergy Stole with 4 embroidered crosses in black and red to provide a classic look to the members of your clergy. Coupled with a matching robe, it will present the highest air of gravity due to the pastors and ministers in your church.

Yet Divinity Clergy Wear is not known only for providing such classic items - they are also known for offering vestments that will colorfully accent the grand personas of your clergy members, and even in the stoles they offer, this is no exception. Take a look at their offerings in clergy stoles and you’ll find not only red and black options but combinations of blue, white, black, red and of course purple. All that will remain is for you to pick your favorites out from among them. Visit their site, DivinityClergyWear.com or call their team at 877-453-3535 if you have any questions or need help finding something.