Priests and ekklesiekdikoi (of Saint Sophia) (fourteenth century)
Obverse
Justinian (left) and the Mother of God (right) holding between them a model of the church of Saint Sophia, which offers a view within of a cross set on an altar. Inscriptions: above and in center: ΗΓΙ ΣΟ|ΦΙ|: Ἡ Ἁγία Σοφία; at left: Ι|Ι|ΝΙ|Ν|ΟΝ|Σ|Π.|Ν : Ἰουστινιανὸν δεσπ[ό]την; and at right: Ρ̅|Υ̅|ΗΒ|ΟΗ|Η| : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ – Ἡ Βοήθια. Border of dots.
Obverse
Justinian (left) and the Mother of God (right) holding between them a model of the church of Saint Sophia, which offers a view within of a cross set on an altar. Inscriptions: above and in center: ΗΓΙ ΣΟ|ΦΙ|: Ἡ Ἁγία Σοφία; at left: Ι|Ι|ΝΙ|Ν|ΟΝ|Σ|Π.|Ν : Ἰουστινιανὸν δεσπ[ό]την; and at right: Ρ̅|Υ̅|ΗΒ|ΟΗ|Η| : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ – Ἡ Βοήθια. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of five lines with cross above and followed by decoration. Border of dots.
τοισ
οσΒσττοισ
πρσβυτροις
κικκλησ
κικοισ
τοῖς θεοσεβεστάτοις πρεσβυτέροις καὶ ἐκκλησεκδίκοις
Accession number | BZS.1955.1.4913 |
---|---|
Diameter | 47.0 mm; field: 39.0 mm |
Previous Editions | DO Seals 5 no. 42.19; Zacos, Seals II, no. 73b (twelfth century). |
Translation
Τοῖς θεοσεβεστάτοις πρεσβυτέροις καὶ ἐκκλησεκδίκοις.
The most reverent priests and judges 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)
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 2 (Open in Zotero)
- The Virgin and Justinian on Seals of the Ekklesiekdikoi of Hagia Sophia (Open in Zotero)
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."
W. Seibt noted in his review of DO Seals 5 that this specimen is parallel to BZS.1958.106.5720.