www.byzcath.org Forums Mysteries: The Life of Worship The Other Sacramental Mysteries COPTIC EPIGONATION

In the Syrian and Armenian Churches only the Patriarchs (Patriarch of Antioch, Katholikoi of Etchmiadzin and Cilicia, Patriarchs of Constantinople and Jerusalem) use Greek style epigonation. Apparently, as you can see in the picture, the epigonation is not use in the Coptic and Abbisinian rites...but an epigonation was used during pope Shenouda III¨s (of blessed memory) ordination-intronization as you can see in the video

http://hurryupharry.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/06/shenouda.jpg


What about the omophorion? Although apparently not used in the Coptic Church, you can see the omophorion in many, some time very ancient, Coptic icon of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in this not so ancient icon of Saint Mercurius. There is any Coptic bishop using homophorion (if I not wrong Coptic Catholic patriarchs, till patriarch Stephanos I Sidarouss, wore omophorion in no so ancient times)?

http://davidderrick.files.wordpress.com/2008/01/mercurius.jpg

Source: Claremont Coptic Encyclopedia (http://ccdl.libraries.claremont.edu/cdm/singleitem/collection/cce/id/1221/rec/4)
Omophorion
This vestment, referred to as the "white ballin" in the ordination
service of bishops, is a silk scarf about 13 feet (4 m) long and 4 feet
(1.25 m) wide, embroidered with large golden or silver crosses, and
sometimes ornamented with precious stones.
It may also be worn at the liturgy, on top of the turban, instead
of the burnus-hood, and folded crosswise on the chest and the back.
As a garment, the omophorion symbolizes the breastplate of faith (1
Thes. 5:8), the crown of thorns placed on Christ's head, and the
napkin brought by Nicodemus to the burial of Christ.
The miter is worn by the patriarch and the bishops during the
liturgy and in ceremonial processions. It is one of the insignia that,
according to the Rite of Consecration of the Patriarch of Alexandria,
is bestowed upon the selected patriarch by the senior bishop, the
metropolitan of Jerusalem and the Near East, while the deacons
sing, "The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty" (Ps. 93:1) and "Thou
settest a crown of pure gold on his head. He asked life of Thee, and
Thou givest it him" (Ps. 21:3-4). Here the bishops, with the
exception of the metropolitan of Jerusalem, remove their own miters
and cover their heads with the omophorion (see below).

Could any Coptic in this forum tell us if the ornament in the picture below is in fact a Coptic omophorion?
http://teaandpolitics.files.wordpress.com/2010/09/bishoy.jpg?w=200

In a number of photos, like this [st-takla.org], Pope Kyrillos is wearing one, crossed over his breast.

I don't ever recall seeing photos of Pope Shenouda wearing one, though.

Fr. David

Not sure about omophorion, but in these photos Patriarch Markos II Khouzam and Patriarch Stéphanos I Sidarouss wear the pallium:

http://www.coptcatholic.net/pic/E_Morkus2.JPG

http://www.coptcatholic.net/pic/Stefano%20I%20%289%29.jpg

Syriac and Syro-Malankara vestements are similar, although slightly elongated for some vestments, or cut differently for others.

http://sor.cua.edu/Vestments/index.html

There are (unfortunately) images from the 40s through the 70s of Syro-Malankara prelates wearing the Latin pallium on top of the "batrashil" but this trend thankfully ended very quickly.

As for the "sakro" or 'epigonation' (as Byzantines call it), it is interesting that it was incorporated into Syriac Tradition at all, as it is a remnant of reception of Byzantine imperial award. Since the Syriacs were always on the outs with the Byzantine emperors and did not want to be under his authority, it is no wonder that the custom is limited.

Truly, a GREAT resource!
I like the stoles for deacons they use more than the current Roman form. These are like the pre-V2 ones, with the bell shape.
Also, the vesting prayers are great. The Roman Church needs to bring these back.

In the 2 photos above with the Coptic Catholic Patriarchs they are both wearing the Pallium and not an Omophorion.

Are you completely sure about that?



http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/orientchurch/eventi/foto/india03.jpg

His Beatitude Cyril Mor Baselios of blessed memory wore it for a rare occasions, the elevation of the Church to Archiepiscopal. The current Catholicos Moran Mor Baselios Cleemis thankfully doesn't continue nor follow that trend.

Patriarchal vestments

This vestment is more analagous to the Latin amice than the Byzantine omophor.