Skip to Content

John (twelfth century, first half)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of St. John the Theologian; details indistinct. On either side, epigraphy: |ι̅|οθ|εολ|ο|γο, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Θεόλογο(ς). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.

ομνυ
μονσκε
πμεκυ̅
ιλε

ὁμώνυμον σκέπ(οις) με, Κ(υρίο)υ φίλε

Obverse

Bust of St. John the Theologian; details indistinct. On either side, epigraphy: |ι̅|οθ|εολ|ο|γο, : ὁ ἅ(γιος) Ἰω(άννης) ὁ Θεόλογο(ς). Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines. Border of dots.

ομνυ
μονσκε
πμεκυ̅
ιλε

ὁμώνυμον σκέπ(οις) με, Κ(υρίο)υ φίλε

Accession number BZS.1955.1.3678
Diameter 19.0 mm; field: 17.0 mm
Previous Editions

Cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden II, no. 1595.

Translation

ὁμώνυμον σκέποις με, Κυρίου φίλε.

Beloved of the Lord, may you protect me, the one who shares your name.

Commentary

Wassiliou-Seibt remarks upon the unique use of Κυρίου φίλε ("beloved of the Lord") as a form of address to St. John the Theologian, corresponding, it would seem, with the ἠγαπημένε ("beloved one") found on other seals bearing the image of this saint. See, for instance, BZS.1958.106.333 and BZS.1958.106.334.

Bibliography

  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 2, Siegellegenden von Ny bis inklusive Sphragis (Open in Zotero)