An element of Byzantine liturgical vesture that has always interested me is the "sakkos" which is effectively akin to a dalmatic in its shape, but not in its liturgical symbolism because of the fact that in the Byzantine East, it is used exclusively by bishops. In point of fact, this is actually indicative of a later liturgical development in the East for the traditional garb of bishops in the East was the phelonion (chasuble) typically decorated with the polystavrion, and this is indeed what you generally see in Byzantine icons that show bishops.
The sakkos has its origins in Roman and Byzantine dress and in the Eastern Roman Empire, this type of vesture was worn by the Emperor as a form of imperial 'vestment' when attending the liturgical services. By the 11th or 12th century, we begin to see this item of dress begin to be used by a select group of important bishops -- i.e. patriarchs -- and often only at select times of the liturgical year. However, as the centuries progressed, its use would continue to expand until finally it has become the 'de facto' proper vestment of a Byzantine rite bishop. (By comparison, in the West, the chasuble has continued to be the primary vestment for bishops, with the pontifical dalmatic being worn beneath on the more solemn liturgical occasions).
Unlike the Western pontifical dalmatic, which is typically very simple now in its form, the Byzantine sakkos is what one would expect of the primary vestment of a prelate: ornate, typically characterized by precious fabrics, embroideries, and even bells akin to what the Jewish high priest would wear.
Today we are going to take a look at some antique examples of the sakkos, out of a desire to show more antique vestments from the Byzantine tradition (which seem woefully underrepresented in my estimation)
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| Eastern Rumilia, 17th century. The Virgin and Child are enthroned, surrounded by various Old Testament prophets. On the other side (not shown) is a depiction of "Christ the vine" |
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| Made from Persian silk originally for the Patriarch of Antioch in 1736. One can also see the inclusion of the aforementioned high priestly bells here. |
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| Made from Ottoman silk with Asian decorative influences in 1629. |
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| Prussian, 19th century |
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| A 19th century sakkos made from silk velvet and gold embroidery. |
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| The sakkos of Cyril, Archbishop of Sinai, 17th century (possibly older). Shown on the back side here is a depiction of the Tree of Jesse. On the front is Christ the Vine. |
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| Russia, ca. 1665 |
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| Russia, 14th-15th century. |
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| The so-called "dalmatic of Charlemagne" dated to the 11th century. It is actually a sakkos that was a gift from the Patriarch of Constantinople and shows the exquisite embroidery work of medieval Constantinople. This particular dalmatic is now on display in the treasury museum of St. Peter's Basilica and depicts a scene of the Transfiguration. |
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| Sakkos of Photius, Metropolitan of Moscow, ca. 1417 |
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