John monk and orphanotrophos (eleventh century, first half)
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas. Inscription partially preserved: κ,λ|αο|σ: ὁ ἅγιος Νικολάος. Border of dots.
Obverse
Bust of St. Nicholas. Inscription partially preserved: κ,λ|αο|σ: ὁ ἅγιος Νικολάος. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription in six lines with decoration above. Border of dots.
ΚΕ̅,.
τσδ.
ι̅μονα
χ,ορφα
νοτρο
φ,
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ μοναχῷ καὶ ὀρφανοτρόφῳ
Accession number | BZS.1958.106.5637 |
---|---|
Diameter | 26.0 mm |
Previous Editions | Zacos-Veglery, no. 2677bis (a). |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Ἰωάννῃ μοναχῷ καὶ ὀρφανοτρόφῳ.
Lord, help your servant John, monk and orphanotrophos.
Bibliography
- Byzantine Lead Seals, Vol. 1 (Open in Zotero)
Commentary
The owner of this seal will have been the famous John the Orphanotrophos, active between 1033 and 1042; see PBW: Ioannes 68, and John W. Nesbitt, "The Orphanotrophos: Some observations on the history of the office in light of seals," SBS 8 (2003), 59-60.