Omophorion: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Meister der Aphentico-Kirche in Mistra 001.jpg|thumb|[[Fresco]] from the 14th century depicting St. [[Gregory the Illuminator]] of Armenia wearing a white ''omophorion''.]]

In the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Eastern Orthodox]] and [[Eastern Catholic Churches|Eastern Catholic]] liturgical tradition, the '''''omophorion''''' ({{lang-grc-gre|ὠμοφόριον}}, meaning "[something] borne on the shoulders"; [[Church Slavonic|Slavonic]]: омофоръ, ''omofor'') is the distinguishing [[vestment]] of a [[bishop]] and the symbol of his spiritual and ecclesiastical authority. Originally woven of wool, it is a band of [[brocade]] decorated with four [[Christian Cross|crosses]] and an eight-pointed star; it is worn about the neck and shoulders.<ref>[http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2003-0914-nikoncross/liturgy/pages/liturgy28_jpg.htm St Vladimir's Seminary] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926230652/http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2003-0914-nikoncross/liturgy/pages/liturgy28_jpg.htm |date=September 26, 2007 }}</ref>

 

 

==Use==

{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}

The ''omophorion'' has two forms: the ancient great ''omophorion'', which passes around the neck, is folded in the front, and hangs down past the knees in both the front and the back, like a loosely worn long [[scarf]]; and the small ''omophorion'' which is much simpler, passing around the neck and hanging down in the front similar to an ''[[epitrachelion]]'' (stole), only wider and shorter, coming down a little past the waist. Because of the complexity of the great ''omophorion'', and because of the dignity of the episcopal office, whenever the bishop puts on the ''omophorion'' or takes it off, he is assisted by two [[subdeacon]]s.

 

 

==Development==

In the [[early church]], the ''omophorion'' was a broad band of white wool ornamented with crosses and draped loosely over the neck, shoulders, and breast. The modern Roman ''[[pallium]]'' developed from this early ''omophorion.'' In the West, over the centuries, its form has changed into a circular, thin woolen garment for the shoulders, with short, weighted pendants before and behind.<ref name=Catholic/> The papal ''pallium,'' originally adopted by [[Pope Benedict XVI]] at the beginning of his pontificate, is closer to the original ''omophorion''. Pope Benedict XVI later reverted to the original design of the ''pallium'', but with red crosses instead of black.{{Cn|date=July 2021}}

 

* The [[Armenian Apostolic Church|Armenian Apostolic]] ''emip'oron'' is similar to the Byzantine great ''omophorion''.{{cn|date=November 2014}}

* The [[Syriac Orthodox Church|Syriac Orthodox]] ''baţrašil'' or ''uroro rabbo'' ('great stole') is a straight strip of embroidered material, about 20&nbsp;cm wide, with a head-hole midway along it, that hangs down a bishop's chest and back.

 

== See also ==