Pastoral staff

The crosier is a traditional symbol of ecclesiastical authority. Derived from the humble shepherd's staff, once decorated, it becomes the prerogative of the celibate clergy: vartabed (doctor of theology), bishop, archbishop, patriarch and Catholicos.
It is usually topped by a pair of snakes to refer to the biblical tradition of the staff of Moses. Transformed into a snake, he helped Moses and his people to overcome obstacles during the Exodus from Egypt.
Bishops’ staffs are surmounted by two snakes facing each other, the Vartabed staffs are surmounted by snakes facing away from each other.