Thursday, November 1, 2012
Etymology and History of the Stole/Liturgical Vestment/ Symbol of Service/Linked to Washing of Feet
"The word stole derives via the Latin stola, from the Greek στολή (stolē), "garment", originally "array" or opted by the Church of Rome about the seventh century (the stole having also been adopted in other locales 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. There are many theories as to the "ancestry" of the stole. Some say it came from the tallit(Jewish prayer mantle), because it is very similar to the present usage (as in the minister puts it on when he or she leads in prayer) but this theory is no longer regarded much today. More popular is the theory that the stole originated from a kind of liturgical napkin called an orarium(cf. orarion) very similar to the sudarium. In fact, in many places the stole is called the orarium. Therefore it is linked to the napkin used by Christ in washing the feet of his disciples, and is a fitting symbol of the yoke of Christ, the yoke of service...."
Posted by Bridget Mary Meehan at 4:04 AM