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John monk and orphanotrophos (eleventh century, first half)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. Nicholas, holding book; details obscure. Inscription: Ο|Α|ΓΙ|Ο.|.|Κ.|.: ὁ (ἅγιος) [Νι]κ[όλ(αος)].

Reverse

Inscription in six lines. Border of dots.

ιβ
κε,θ,
τσδ
λι
ορφανο
τροφ

Ι(νδικτιὼν) βˊ. Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰω(άννῃ) (μον)αχ(ῷ) (καὶ) ὀρφανοτρόφ(ῳ)

Obverse

Bust of St. Nicholas, holding book; details obscure. Inscription: Ο|Α|ΓΙ|Ο.|.|Κ.|.: ὁ (ἅγιος) [Νι]κ[όλ(αος)].

Reverse

Inscription in six lines. Border of dots.

ιβ
κε,θ,
τσδ
λι
ορφανο
τροφ

Ι(νδικτιὼν) βˊ. Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰω(άννῃ) (μον)αχ(ῷ) (καὶ) ὀρφανοτρόφ(ῳ)

Accession number BZS.1951.31.5.2967
Diameter 26.0 mm; field: 23.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Zacos-Veglery, no. 2677bis (a).

Credit Line Harvard Art Museums/Arthur M. Sackler Museum, Bequest of Thomas Whittemore.

Translation

Ινδικτιὼν βˊ. Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ μοναχῷ καὶ ὀρφανοτρόφῳ.

Indiction 2. Lord, help your servant John, monk and orphanotrophos.

Commentary

See PBW: Ioannes 68. See John W. Nesbitt, "The Orphanotrophos: Some observations on the history of the office in light of seals," SBS 8 (2003), 59-60. He notes that this specimen is in fact a copper token and reads the top line of the reverse as "Indiction 2," which coincides with the year 1033-1034 when the seal's owner travelled to Myra to seek a cure from St Nicholas.

Bibliography