THE DEACON'S STOLE AND WHAT IT MEANS

A deacon wears his stole under his dalmatic. He wears it diagonally from the left shoulder, where it connects like a cross at the right hip, then the two tails hang down between the knees and the feet. His stole is more than a sign of his office in the Church. Hanging on the left shoulder it symbolizes the yoke of Christ. Meaning a spiritual yoke of carrying Christ’s burden for his people and serving others with humility. Draping it over the left shoulder keeps the right arm and hand free for action, charity, work, and assisting at the altar. It symbolizes carrying the cross. The stole crosses the body diagonally and it is fastened at the right hip, which mimics the cross and the path it took. It reminds the deacon that true Christian service requires self-sacrifice and love, originating for the heart. It also symbolizes the towel of service, the side is fastened at the right hip, and hangs down, symbolizing a servant’s towel used for washing feet. The deacon is the icon of Christ the servant and his stole symbolizes that part of Christ. How do you see the deacon of the Church: do you see man or servant?