The word stole derives via the Latin stola, from the greek for "garment", originally "array" or "equipment".

The stole 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 indeed. After being adopted by the Church of Rome about the seventh century (the stole having also been adopted in other locals prior to this), the stole became gradually narrower and so richly ornamented that it developed into a mark of dignity. Nowadays, the stole is usually wider and can be made from a wide variety of material.

The most likely origin for the stole is to be connected with the scarf of office among Imperial officials in the Roman Empire. As members of the clergy became members of the Roman administration 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 and the omophorion) grew out of this usage. The original intent, then was to designate 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 are normally in the liturgical colour of the season and are worn over both sholders by bishops and priests and over the left shoulder by deacons.

View stoles availiable in

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Gold Crystal Cross, crucifix vestment chasuble stole US $45.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Sep-06-2010 4:13:01 PDT Bid Add to watch list

Plain Red Stole, chasuble vestment interfaith clergy US $30.00 (0 Bid) End Date: Monday Sep-06-2010 4:14:54 PDT Bid Add to watch list

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ANTIQUE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX VESTMENT COPE STOLE * US $80.00 End Date: Sunday Sep-19-2010 4:33:41 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $80.00 Buy now! Add to watch list

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Priest/Clergy Vestment Rainbow Stole Ceremony/Service US $39.95 End Date: Friday Sep-17-2010 20:02:32 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $39.95 Buy now! Add to watch list

Priest/Clergy Vestment Gold Satin Stole-Service/Mass US $39.95 End Date: Friday Sep-17-2010 20:02:31 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $39.95 Buy now! Add to watch list

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New GOLD Benediction COPE Vestment Stole Set Lined US $189.99 End Date: Friday Oct-01-2010 6:05:46 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $189.99 Buy now! Add to watch list

Antique French Gold Brocade Catholic Vestment Stole+++ US $178.00 End Date: Wednesday Sep-15-2010 8:07:21 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $178.00 Buy now! Add to watch list

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ANTIQUE RUSSIAN ORTHODOX CHASUBLE VESTMENT STOLE * US $200.00 End Date: Monday Sep-13-2010 1:46:30 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $200.00 Buy now! Add to watch list

ANTIQUE RUSSIAN CHRISTIAN VESTMENT CHASUBLE STOLE * US $200.00 End Date: Monday Sep-13-2010 0:51:52 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $200.00 Buy now! Add to watch list

Vestment - Four Stoles - Four Colors - Good Condition US $45.00 End Date: Thursday Sep-16-2010 19:10:57 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $45.00 Buy now! Add to watch list

New GREEN Benediction COPE Vestment Stole Set Lined US $189.99 End Date: Sunday Sep-26-2010 8:16:04 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $189.99 Buy now! Add to watch list

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NEW White Cream Stole With Gold Cross Applique Vestment US $0.99 (1 Bid) End Date: Tuesday Sep-07-2010 14:01:20 PDT Bid Add to watch list

Communion Priest Set Stole Cuffs Orthodox Gold Vestment US $120.00 End Date: Tuesday Sep-07-2010 5:01:34 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $120.00 Buy now! Add to watch list

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Priest/Clergy Hand Embroidered Stole/Vestment Jerusalem US $39.99 End Date: Sunday Sep-05-2010 6:45:55 PDT Buy It Now for only: US $39.99 Buy now! Add to watch list