Skip to Content

Priests and ekklesiekdikoi (of Saint Sophia) (fourteenth century)

 
 

Obverse

Justinian (left) and the Mother of God (right) holding between them a model (obliterated) of the church of Saint Sophia. Inscriptions. In center: Η|Α|ΓΙΑ|ΣΟΦΙ|Α : Ἡ Ἁγία Σοφία; and at left: ΝΙ|ΑΝ|ΔΕΣ|.Ο|Τ: [Ἰουστι]νιαν(ὸν) δεσ[π]ότ(ην). Indeterminate border.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Indeterminate border.

τοισθε
οσεβεατοισ
εσβτεροι.
καιεκκλησ
.κδικοισ

τοῖς θεοσεβ(ε)στάτοις πρεσβειτέροι[ς] καὶ ἐκκλησ[ε]κδίκοις

Obverse

Justinian (left) and the Mother of God (right) holding between them a model (obliterated) of the church of Saint Sophia. Inscriptions. In center: Η|Α|ΓΙΑ|ΣΟΦΙ|Α : Ἡ Ἁγία Σοφία; and at left: ΝΙ|ΑΝ|ΔΕΣ|.Ο|Τ: [Ἰουστι]νιαν(ὸν) δεσ[π]ότ(ην). Indeterminate border.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Indeterminate border.

τοισθε
οσεβεατοισ
εσβτεροι.
καιεκκλησ
.κδικοισ

τοῖς θεοσεβ(ε)στάτοις πρεσβειτέροι[ς] καὶ ἐκκλησ[ε]κδίκοις

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2936
Diameter 42.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 42.21.

Translation

Τοῖς θεοσεβεστάτοις πρεσβειτέροις καὶ ἐκκλησεκδίκοις.

The most reverent priests and judges of Hagia Sophia.

Commentary

For a discussion of the ekklesiekdikoi, who formed a tribunal, operating out of Saint Sophia, and the iconography associated with their seals, see the brief introduction in DO Seals 5, pages 88–89, as well as J. Cotsonis, "The Virgin and Justinian on Seals of the Ekklesiekdikoi of Hagia Sophia."

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and in the Fogg Museum of Art, Volume 5: The East (continued), Constantinople and Environs, Unknown Locations, Addenda, Uncertain Readings (Open in Zotero)
  • The Virgin and Justinian on Seals of the Ekklesiekdikoi of Hagia Sophia (Open in Zotero)