Editing Crozier (section)

== Description ==
Croziers are often made or decorated in precious metals, or are at least [[gilding|gilded]] or silver-plated. Underneath, the core and shaft is often wood, and some are entirely made of wood, though this is more common for croziers carried by abbots rather than bishops. [[Ivory]], from the [[walrus]] or elephant, was often used in the Middle Ages.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}}

=== Western croziers ===
Croziers used by Western bishops have curved or hooked tops, similar in appearance to staves traditionally used by [[Animal husbandry|shepherds]], hence they are also known as [[Shepherd's crook|crooks]]. In some languages there is only one term referring to this form, such as the German ''Krummstab'' or Dutch ''kromstaf''. The crook itself (i.e., the curved top portion) may be formed as a simple shepherd's crook, terminating in a floral pattern, reminiscent of the [[Aaron's rod]], or in a serpent's head. It may encircle a depiction of the bishop's [[coat of arms]] or the figure of a saint. In some very ornate croziers, the place where the staff meets the crook may be designed to represent a church.{{Citation needed|date=September 2011}}
[[File:Bastone pastorale di clonmacnoise, XI secolo 01.jpg|thumb|Crook of the late 11th century Irish Insular [[Clonmacnoise Crozier]]. [[National Museum of Ireland – Archaeology]], Dublin]]

[[Insular crozier]]s, produced in Britain and Ireland in the [[Early Middle Ages]], have a more simple shape, perhaps closer to actual shepherd's crooks. They were regarded as important [[relic]]s of church leaders, and have survived in untypical numbers, including the [[Clonmacnoise Crozier]], [[Kells Crozier]], [[Lismore Crozier]], [[Prosperous Crozier]], [[River Laune Crozier]], [[St. Columba's Crozier]], [[St. Fillan's Crozier]], and [[St. Mel's Crozier]].

In previous times, a cloth of linen or richer material, called the ''[[sudarium]]'' (literally, "sweat cloth"), was suspended from the crozier at the place where the bishop would grasp it. This was originally a practical application which prevented the bishop's hand from sweating and discolouring (or being discoloured by) the metal. The invention of [[stainless steel]] in the late 19th century and its subsequent incorporation in material used for croziers rendered moot its original purpose and it became more elaborate and ceremonial in function over time.{{Citation needed|date=May 2016}} In [[heraldry]], the ''sudarium'' is often still depicted when croziers occur on coats of arms.

In the Roman Catholic Church, the crozier is always carried by the bishop with the crook turned away from himself; that is to say, facing toward the persons or objects he is facing, regardless of whether he is the [[Ordinary (Catholic Church)|Ordinary]] or not. The [[Sacred Congregation of Rites]] on 26 November 1919, stated in a reply to the following question,
{{blockquote|In case an outside Bishop uses a Bishops' staff, this being either required by the function or permitted by the Ordinary, in what direction should he hold the upper part, or crook?

'''Reply.''' Always with the crook turned away from himself, that is toward the persons or objects which he is facing. (AAS 12-177)}}

=== Eastern croziers ===
The croziers carried by Eastern bishops, [[archimandrite]]s, abbots and abbesses differ in design from the Western crozier. The Eastern crozier is shaped more like a crutch than a shepherd's staff.

The ''[[sudarium]]'' or crozier mantle is still used in the Eastern churches, where it is usually made of a rich fabric such as brocade or velvet, and usually embroidered with a cross or other religious symbol, trimmed with galoon around the edges and fringed at the bottom. The ''sudarium'' is normally a rectangular piece of fabric with a string sewn into the upper edge which is used to tie the ''sudarium'' to the crozier that can be drawn together to form pleats. As the sudarium has grown more elaborate, bishops no longer hold it between their hand and the crozier, but place their hand under it as they grasp the crozier, so that it is visible.{{Citation needed|date=February 2024}}