An eleventh-century seal with a representation of Patriarch Antony II Kauleas

Patricia Karlin-Hayter is undoubtedly correct that “the Union of the Church was the great achievement of Kauleas’ patriarchate,” but it remains unclear how exactly the phrase “East and West” is to be understood. The omophorion, a liturgical vestment in the form of a long scarf decorated with crosses, was worn as a wide, loose loop over the shoulders with its ends hanging down the front and back. The omophorion seen on our seal, however, is rather distinct in form. The loop of the vestment spreads widely across the width of the shoulders, hanging rather loosely. The frontal band folds over the hierarch’s left shoulder and hangs down his chest behind the gospel book.