crozier

A crozier, also spelled crosier, is a ceremonial staff shaped like a shepherd’s crook and carried by certain church leaders as a symbol of office and pastoral authority. In Western Christian liturgy it is commonly referred to as the pastoral staff or crozier. The curved top represents the bishop or abbot as the “good shepherd” who tends to the spiritual flock, while the upright shaft signifies governance and guidance.

The use of a crozier dates from late antiquity to the early medieval period, evolving from practical shepherd’s staffs into a formal insignia of episcopal and abbatial office. It became a standardized element of the regalia of bishops in many Western Christian traditions, including the Roman Catholic Church and the Anglican Communion, and also appears in some historic forms within other churches. In the Orthodox tradition, bishops may carry a similar staff, though the form and symbolism can differ by rite.

Designs vary widely. Croziers are typically made of wood or metal, often gilded or elaborately decorated with silver, brass, or enamel. Some feature a simple, single crook, while others have ornate details such as foliate motifs, cruciform elements, or figures. The size and embellishment of a crozier can indicate the rank and, in some cases, the particular church or monastic order.

In contemporary practice, croziers remain part of the ceremonial attire for many bishops and abbots during liturgies and processions. Their use is largely ceremonial rather than functional, serving as a visible symbol of pastoral care and church authority.