Beer Sheba - Triconch Church

Inscription number: 
3
Selected bibliography: 
235-236, no. 3, fig. 11 (ph.) (ed. pr.)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Inscription type: 
building
Location: 

Incised on a marble slab belonging to the marble pavement of the church.

Physical description : 

Fragmentary six-line inscription set within a round medallion incised on a broken marble slab. Nine small pieces of the original slab bear about twelve characters (average height  3 cm), with oval and drop-shaped pointed Θ and lunate E.

Text: 

        [Ἐ]πὶ [τοῦ]

        θ[εοσ]εβ(εστάτου) [Εὐ-]

        [λ]α[λ]ίου πρ-

4      [εσβυτέρου - - - ] Ε

        [ - - - - - ] Η

        ταῦ[τ - ]

Translation: 

Under Eulalios, the most pious priest …

Commentary: 

The restoration of "Eulalios, the most pious priest" is based on his mention in the mosaic pavement.

Summary: 

Fragmentary building (?) inscription of Eulalios (?) incised on a slab originally belonging to the marble pavement of the church.

Contents
Ecclesiastical titles: 
presbyter
Epithets of clergy/monks: 
God-fearing (theosebes, theotimetos)
Personal names: 
Eulalios
Epigraphical Abbreviations: 
OY in ligature