Bishop Crozier

A well-made bishop crozier has solid construction, a protective finish, and joints that fit together cleanly. Solid brass holds its shape better than thin metal, and a lacquered or polished finish guards against tarnish. A hardwood staff, as opposed to softwood, resists dents across decades of use. Since a crozier is assembled and disassembled many times over its life, its threaded sections should twist together smoothly.

A crozier stand is a weighted base that holds the staff upright in the sanctuary when the bishop is not carrying it. It keeps the staff within reach and off the floor while he uses both hands to deliver readings or recite the Eucharistic prayer.

Yes, because most are built in threaded sections that unscrew. Every crozier on this page comes in such sections, so a bishop can pack it into a case between churches or store it in small spaces, no tools needed.

The bishop's crozier is one of several insignia of the episcopal office. A bishop is also vested with the miter (the pointed liturgical hat), the episcopal ring, and the pectoral cross worn on the chest. Together with the crozier, these mark his role as shepherd and teacher of the diocese.

Croziers appear across the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Orthodox traditions, and are used ceremonially by some Lutheran and United Methodist bishops, though not all of these bodies claim a bishop's office in the historic apostolic succession. The shape differs by tradition: Catholic, Episcopalian, and Anglican churches use the Western shepherd's crook, while Eastern Orthodox bishops usually carry a tau or twin-serpent staff. Auxiliary, retired, or visiting bishops may also carry a crozier, with permission from the diocesan bishop.