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Christodoulos hegoumenos of the monastery of St. Constantine (tenth century)

 
 

Obverse

Patriarchal cross on two steps with fleurons rising beyond the lower transverse bar. Along the circumference, the remains of a circular invocative inscription.

ειτσ..ουλο

Κ[ύριε β(οή)θ]ει τῷ σ[ῷ δ]ούλο

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.

.χρι
..οδλˋ.
γμεν..
νιταγˋ
κονστ
ανˋ

Χρι[στ]οδούλ(ῳ) [ἡ]γουμέν(ῳ) [μο]νῖ(ς) τοῦ ἁγ[ί](ου) Κονσταν(τίνου)

Obverse

Patriarchal cross on two steps with fleurons rising beyond the lower transverse bar. Along the circumference, the remains of a circular invocative inscription.

ειτσ..ουλο

Κ[ύριε β(οή)θ]ει τῷ σ[ῷ δ]ούλο

Reverse

Inscription of six lines. Border of dots.

.χρι
..οδλˋ.
γμεν..
νιταγˋ
κονστ
ανˋ

Χρι[στ]οδούλ(ῳ) [ἡ]γουμέν(ῳ) [μο]νῖ(ς) τοῦ ἁγ[ί](ου) Κονσταν(τίνου)

Accession number BZS.1958.106.246
Diameter 25.0 mm; field: 19.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 5 no. 72.1; Laurent, Corpus 5.2: no. 1144.

Translation

Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλο Χριστοδούλῳ ἡγουμένῳ μονῖς τοῦ ἁγίου Κονσταντίνου.

Lord, help your servant Christodoulos hegoumenos of the monastery of St. Constantine.

Commentary

The seal may possibly refer to a monastery of St. Constantine founded by Basil I between 877 and 880 (Laurent, Corpus 5.2: p. 71). Since the invocation involves a masculine ending, it is unclear why Laurent postulated that the owner might be a nun, Χριστοδούλῃ ἡγουμένῃ.

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)
  • Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)