Deir el-Muqalik - THEOCTISTUS

Church/Monastery name: 
Deir el-Muqalik - THEOCTISTUS
Inscription number: 
19
Selected bibliography: 
274, 81*, no. 1, fig. 4 (dr.) (ed. pr.) (in Hebrew)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

SEG 37 (1987): 1502

CIIP IV.1 (2018): 3172 (dr.)

Inscription type: 
grafitto
invocation/prayer
quotation
Location: 

Engraved on a natural rock wall at the eastern end of the mosaic pavement of the cistern near the monastery.

Physical description : 

The inscription is engraved below and above the arms of a cross (100 cm high, 70 cm wide), raised ca. 2.5 m above the mosaic pavement. Letters are 7 cm high in the upper line, and 5 cm high in the bottom line. Both inscription and cross were very carefully made with a sharp chisel. Below the inscription, three more unrelated crosses are engraved.

Text: 

Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς     Χ(ριστό)ς

     Α                 Ω

Translation: 

Jesus Christ. Alpha (and) Omega.

Commentary: 

The inscription consists of a common motto taken from Apoc. 22:13.

Summary: 

Christian acclamation within a cross – grafitto on a rock wall in the cistern near the monastery.

Citations from LXX / NT: 
Apoc. 22:13
Epigraphical Abbreviations: 
horizontal strokes over nomina sacra