The diakonia of the procession of the Blachernae (eleventh century)
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.15 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Condition | Token. |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 31.2a; Laurent, Corpus 5.2: no. 1203. A similar specimen is listed in Sig., 149. |
Obverse
Bust of the Mother of God, turned to the left, extending her arms before her. Sigla: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines preceded by decoration. Border of dots.
τησδι
ακονιασ
τησυπο
στρ,φηστ
λαχερ
ν,
Τῆς διακονίας τῆς ὑποστρ(ο)φῆς τ(ῶν) Βλαχερν(ῶν)
Translation
Τῆς διακονίας τῆς ὑποστροφῆς τῶν Βλαχερνῶν.
(Seal) of the diakonia of the procession of the Blachernae.
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.15 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Condition | Token. |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 31.2a; Laurent, Corpus 5.2: no. 1203. A similar specimen is listed in Sig., 149. |
| Accession number | BZS.1947.2.15 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Condition | Token. |
| Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 31.2a; Laurent, Corpus 5.2: no. 1203. A similar specimen is listed in Sig., 149. |
Commentary
The reverse is a fifteen-syllable verse. In Laurent's view, the seal attests a "service organized the return of the Blachernae of an imperial procession..." In our opinion it reflects the service's charitable activities on the occasion of a procession returning from a sanctuary or public building to the church of the Blachernae.