figs. 4-5 (phs.) (Y. Ustinova) | |
113-116 (phs.) (Y. Ustinova) (in Hebrew) |
SEG 65 (2015): 1768 (ed. pr.)
At the centre of the mosaic pavement of the refectory.
Mosaic inscription within a rectangular frame with decorations including vessels, flora and ducks. Among the decorations, an additional inscription in a cruciform arrangement, placed at the middle of the lower side.
Ἐπὶ τοῦ θεοφιλ(εστάτου) (design)
Ἠλία πρεσβ(υτέρου) καὶ
ἡγουμένου ἐτελιό-
4 θη τοῦτο τὸ ἔργον
ἐν μ(ηνὶ) Γορπιέου
κζʹ ἰνδ(ικτιῶος) αʹ· εὐξ(ασθε or εσθε) ὑ-
πὲρ Ἀναστασίου ψι(φοθέτου).
φῶς | ζωή
Under the most God-loving Elias, priest and abbot, this work was completed in the month of Gorpiaeus, the 27, of indiction 1. Pray for Anastasius the mosaic-layer.
Light, Life.
Dated building inscription of Elias and a cruciform acclamation, at the centre of the mosaic pavement of the refectory, Sept. 582 (?).
September 14 of a first indiction, probably in 582. Note that September 14 was the feast of the Encaeniae, the inauguration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Perhaps the day for the inauguration of the refectory was chosen intentionally. ‘Pray’ may be an imperative aorist, εὕξ(ασθε) or a future, εὕξ(εσθε), ‘you will pray’, which in inscriptions of this period is often used instead of the imperative. ψι(φοθέτου) for ψη(φοθέτου) by iotacism.