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The monastery of Docheiariou (eleventh/twelfth century)

 
 

Obverse

St. Michael standing with open wings, holding long scepter and probably a globe (not a scroll, as stated by Laurent). On either side: ΜΧ: Μιχαήλ. Linear border.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Linear border.

ΔΟΧΕΙ
ΑΡΙΟΥ
ΚΡΑΤΥΝ
ΜΟΝΗΣ
ΛΟΓΣ

Δοχειαρίου κρατύνω μονῆς λόγους

Obverse

St. Michael standing with open wings, holding long scepter and probably a globe (not a scroll, as stated by Laurent). On either side: ΜΧ: Μιχαήλ. Linear border.

Reverse

Inscription of five lines. Linear border.

ΔΟΧΕΙ
ΑΡΙΟΥ
ΚΡΑΤΥΝ
ΜΟΝΗΣ
ΛΟΓΣ

Δοχειαρίου κρατύνω μονῆς λόγους

Accession number BZS.1958.106.416
Diameter 21.0 mm; field: 16.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 1, no. 28.3.
Laurent, Corpus V/3, no. 1928; cf. Wassiliou-Seibt, Siegel mit metrischen Legenden I, no. 667.

Translation

Δοχειαρίου κρατύνω μονῆς λόγους.

I confirm the correspondence of the monastery of Docheiariou.

Commentary

The reverse inscription is a correct twelve-syllable verse.

The peninsula of Mount Athos was a territory reserved for monks from the ninth century on. The origins and early history of the monastic community, which from the beginning was dedicated to the Virgin, are discussed by Denise Papachryssanthou in Prôtaton. The central administration, located in the town of Karyes, was supervised by an elected protos, who together with his council, also administrated communal properties, while the monasteries maintained their independence.

Bibliography

  • Catalogue of the Byzantine Seals at Dumbarton Oaks and at the Fogg Museum of Art, Vol. 1: Italy, North of the Balkans, North of the Black Sea (Open in Zotero)
  • Le Corpus des sceaux de l’empire byzantin (Open in Zotero)
  • Actes du Prôtaton (Open in Zotero)
  • Corpus der byzantinischen Siegel mit metrischen Legenden, Vol. 1, Siegellegenden von Alpha bis inclusive My (Open in Zotero)