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{{short description|Bishop's scarflike vestment in the Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic liturgical traditions}}
{{Eastern Orthodox sidebar|expanded=worship}}
[[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''.]]
[[Image:Spruce Island pilgrimage.jpg|thumb|300px|Archbishop Benjamin (Peterson) wearing an omophorion in Alaska.]]
 
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; andit 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] {{deadwebarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926230652/http://www.svots.edu/Press-Releases/2003-0914-nikoncross/liturgy/pages/liturgy28_jpg.htm link|date=JuneSeptember 26, 2007 2014}}</ref>
By symbolizing the lost sheep that is found and carried on the [[The Good Shepherd (Christianity)|Good Shepherd]]'s shoulders, it signifies the bishop's [[pastor]]al role as the [[icon]] of [[Christ]]. All Eastern Orthodox bishops wear the ''omophorion.'' Clergy and ecclesiastical institutions, including seminaries, subject to a bishop's authority are often said to be "under his ''omophorion''" (see [[Ecclesiastical jurisdiction]]).
 
The equivalent vestment in Western Christian usage is the archiepiscopal ''[[pallium]],'', the use of which is subject to different rubrics and restrictions, while all Orthodox bishops wear the ''omophorion''.
Clergy and ecclesiastical institutions subject to a bishop's authority are often said to be "under his ''omophorion''".
 
The equivalent vestment in Western Christian usage is the archiepiscopal ''[[pallium]]'', the use of which is subject to different rubrics and restrictions, while all Orthodox bishops wear the ''omophorion''.
 
==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 only 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.
[[Image:Otkrivane paraklis Svetlen 2.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Metropolitan [[Neophyte of Bulgaria|Neophyte Dimitrov]] wearing small omophorion.]]
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 only 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.
 
Whenever hethe bishop presides at any divine service, the bishophe will be vested in the ''omophorion''. If he is serving the [[Divine Liturgy]], he will wear both the great and the small ''omophorion'' at different times over his liturgical vestments. At any service other than the Divine Liturgy, he will usually wear the small ''omophorion''.
 
At the [[Divine Liturgy]], the [[rubrics]] call for the bishop to put on and take off the ''omophorion'' numerous times. When he is first vested, the subdeacons place the great ''omophorion'' on him, but afterwards, when the rubric calls for him to wear the ''omophorion'', it is replaced, for the sake of convenience, with the small ''omophorion''. In some places, when several bishops [[concelebration|concelebrate]], it is now the custom for the chief celebrant to use the great ''omophorion'' when called for, and the other bishops to wear the small ''omophorion'' throughout.
 
In modern practice in the Slavic tradition, when several bishops [[concelebration|concelebrate]], it is now the custom for the chief celebrant to use the great ''omophorion'' when called for, and the other bishops to wear the small ''omophorion'' throughout, with all bishops wearing their mitres. In modern Greek Patriarchal practice, on the other hand, all concelebrating bishops wear the great omophorion at the beginning of the Divine Liturgy, with only the chief celebrant wearing the mitre and the other bishops wearing their [[Kalimavkion|kalimavkia]] with the [[Epanokalimavkion]]. In other local Churches, notably the Church of Greece, all concelebrating bishops wear both the great omophorion and the mitre, and even carry their staffs.
In the [[Ruthenian Catholic Church]] and the [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]], often only the great ''omophorion'' is used. In this simplified usage, the great ''omophorion'' is not replaced by the small''omophorion'', and is worn by the [[bishop]] throughout the entire [[liturgy]]. In such cases, the ''omophorion'' is often sewn into shape and can be simple draped onto the shoulders rather than wrapped on by assistants. Some Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishops, however, will insist on the full ceremonial.
 
In the [[Ruthenian Greek Catholic Church]] and the [[Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church]], often only the great ''omophorion'' is used. In this simplified usage, the great ''omophorion'' is not replaced by the small ''omophorion'', and is worn by the [[bishop]] throughout the entire [[liturgy]]. In such cases, the ''omophorion'' is often sewn into shape and can be simplesimply draped onto the shoulders rather than wrapped on by assistants. Some Ukrainian Greek Catholic Bishopsbishops, however, will insist on the full ceremonial.
During the [[All-Night Vigil]], the bishop will wear the small ''omophorion'' at the beginning, but then near the end will change into the great ''omophorion'' for the [[Great Doxology]].
 
During the [[All-Night Vigil]], the bishop will wear the small ''omophorion'' at the beginning, but then near the end will change into the great ''omophorion'' for the [[Great Doxology]].
 
==Development==
[[File:SvSviatoslav shevchukShevchuk.jpg|thumb|Major archbishop [[Sviatoslav Shevchuk]] wearing a white ''omophorion'' which has been sewn into shape (with five bars at the bottom, signifying his position as head of an Eastern rite church).]]
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.''; however, inIn the West it has changed, 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}}
 
TheIn the East, the only change in the ''omophorion'' in the East has been thean augmentationincrease ofin its width, and a shift in the material from which it is made. ThereThe is''omophorion'' testimonywas todocumented about the existenceyear of400 the ''omophorion''AD as a liturgical vestment of the bishop in [[Isidore of Pelusium]] about the year 400. It was made of wool and was already seen as symbolic of the duties of bishops as shepherds of their flocks. In the miniatures of an Alexandrian ''Chronicle of the World'', written probably during the fifth century we already find pictorial representation of, the ''omophorion'' was represented in an image. In later times, weit meetwas the same representationshown on the renowned ivory tablet of Trier, depicting the solemn translation of [[relics]]. Among the pictures dating from the seventh and eighth centuries, in which we find the ''omophorion'' is illustrated, are the lately discovered frescoes in ''S. Maria, Antiqua'' in the [[Roman Forum]]. The representation of the ''omophorion'' in these frescoes is essentially the same as the vestment in its present form.<ref name=Catholic/>
 
The ''omophorion'' probably developed from the civil ''omophorion'', a shoulder garment or shawl in general use. ProbablyBishops eithermay the bishopshave introduced directly by a positive precept as a liturgical pontifical badge a humeral cloth resembling the ordinary ''omophorion'' and called by that name, orto thebe civilused ''omophorion''as wasa atliturgical firstpontifical usedbadge. byAlternatively, bishops may have used the bishopscivil ''omophorion'' as a merean ornament without any special significance, but in the course of time it gradually developed intoassociations as a distinctively episcopal ornament,. andFinally finallyit assumed the character ofsymbolized an episcopal badge of office.<ref name=Catholic>{{Catholic|wstitle=Pallium|inline=1}}</ref>
 
=== Early omophorion ===
<gallery>
File:Gregory of Nyssa (Menologion of Basil II).jpg|Omophorion seen in the [[Menologion of Basil II]], ca. 1000 AD
File:Hosios Loukas (south west chapel, south side) - Ignatios.jpg|11-12th century fresco from the Hosios Loukas Monastery, Boeotia, Greece
File:Johnchrysostom.jpg|11th century mosaic from [[Hagia Sophia]]
File:Chora Church Constantinople 2007 014.jpg|Frescoes from [[Chora Church]], Constantinople
File:Basil of Caesarea.jpg|11th century mosaics from [[Saint Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv|Saint Sophia Cathedral]] in Kyiv
</gallery>
 
==Oriental Orthodoxy==
{{Unreferenced section|date=July 2021}}
[[Image:BishopSebouhDuringLiturgy.jpg|thumb|left|200px|[[Sebouh Chouldjian|Archbishop Sebouh Chouldjian]] of the [[Armenian Apostolic Church]] wearing ''emip'oron'' during liturgy.]]
In [[Oriental Orthodoxy]], the ''omophorion'' takes a number of different forms:
* 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.
* [[Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria|Coptic Orthodox]] hierarchs ([[Patriarch]], [[Metropolitan bishop|MetropolitanMetropolitans]]s, and [[Bishopsbishops]]) usually wear the ''omophorion'', usually folded, due to its large width. It is white in colour, with extensive ornamental embroidery. It is wider than its Byzantine counterpart, wrapped over the head over the monastic ''kouklion'', then crossed from the front over the chest, wrapped again from the back, crossed over the back by the waist level, then over the shoulders, then coming straight down, tucked under the frontal (over the chest) crossed wrapping. It is called a ''ballinBallin'', which is derived from the Greek word "Πάλλιον" (Pallium in Latin) and it is almost the double the length of the Byzantine ''omophorion''.
 
== See also ==
*[[Pallium]]
 
==Notes==
{{reflist}}
 
==References==
*{{Catholic|wstitle=Pallium}}
 
==External links==
{{Wiktionary|omophorion}}
{{Commons category|Omophorion}}
*[http://www.russianorthodoxchurchsynod.wscom/synod/pictures/2jvanaf_5.jpg Great omophorion] (front)
*[http://www.russianorthodoxchurchsynod.wscom/synod/pictures/4jvpasvech_1.jpg Great omophorion] (back)
*[http://www.russianorthodoxchurchsynod.wscom/synod/pictures/4austxb_1.jpg Small omophorion]
*[http://www.romfea.gr/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1875 Patriarch of Constantinople with small omophorion and mitre]
*[https://www.academia.edu/5495345/Omophorion_in_English_ Omophorion from the Moscow Kremlin Museums]
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[[Category:Formal insignia]]
[[Category:History of clothing]]
[[Category:History of clothing (Europe)]]
[[Category:History of clothing (Western fashion)]]
[[Category:History of fashion]]