c. 1997 Religion News Service
UNDATED _ When Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew arrives in the United States Oct. 19, Americans will see a church leader garbed in an array of richly ornamented vestments whose origins are in the early 4th century.
Among the most significant:
Mitra (crown): The mitra dates dates possibly from the 2nd century or later. Intended as patriarchal privilege and later extended to all bishops, the mitra symbolizes the crown of thorns worn by Jesus before the Crucifixion. In time, the thorns were replaced by precious stones, symbolical of the vitues of Christ.
Staff: The staff carried by the patriarch represents a shepherd’s staff. The clergy are instructed by the Scriptures to be shepherds of God’s flock. It symbolizes the patriarch’s pastoral responsibility for the church. There are two kinds of staffs. The episkopikos ravdos, used in worship services, is ornate and capped by a double headed eagle as a symbol of his pastoral authority. The other is simple, usually black with a plain, silver top and is used outside of liturgical service.
Engolpion (breastplate): The patriarch wears either one or two Engolpia, which are small, oval icons. Each engolpion is decorated in different ways. One has the icon of Jesus and the other an icon of the Virgin Mary (the Theotokos). The engolpia signifies the clean heart, pure mind, respect, and honor the patriarch has toward Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary.
Sakkos (or dalmatic): An imperial garb symbolizing the tunic of disgrace worn by Jesus during his trial and mockery by the Roman soldiers. This garb was originally a patriarchal privilege.
Great Omophorion: The outer stole worn above the sakkos and symbolizing the lost sheep that is found and thrown over the shoulders of the shepherd. This garb is replaced by the small omophorion during the reading of the Gospel, a symbolic gesture that Jesus himself is present and speaking at the moment.
Epimanika (cuffs): These cuffs are strictly an Eastern garment worn by deacons, priests and bishops. They were originally only worn by bishops for use during the Sacrament of Baptism.
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