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In the Orthodox liturgical tradition, the '''omophorion''' is one of the [[bishop]]'s [[vestment]]s and the symbol of his spiritual and ecclesiastical authority. Originally of wool, it is a band of brocade decorated with crosses and is worn about the neck and around the shoulders. By symbolizing the lost sheep that is found and carried on the Good Shepherd's shoulders, it signifies the bishop's pastoral role as the [[icon]] of [[Jesus Christ|Christ]].
When the [[rubrics]] call for the omophorion to be removed and replaced frequently, the standard ''great omophorion'' is replaced for the sake of convenience with the ''small omophorion'', a shorter band worn after the manner of an [[epitrachelion]]. In some places, when several bishops [[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.
