Jerusalem (Mount of Olives) - Ascension

Inscription number: 
1
Selected bibliography: 
573, no. 19 (ed. pr.)
98, no. 140
557, no. 25
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

CIIP I.2 (2012): 834

Inscription type: 
building
commemorative
Location: 

Findspot: Found east of the Church of the Ascension, on the grounds of the Russian Convent on the Mount of Olives.

Pres. loc.: “Jetzt im Besitze des russischen Archimandriten” (Thomsen). Not found.

Physical description : 

Marble plaque, broken into several pieces (Germer-Durand). The diphthong ΟΥ appears in ligature. No other details are available.

Text: 

      [Τ]όπο[ς οὗτος ἀνεκαινέσθη?]

      ὑπὸ Μοδ[έσ]του [ἡγουμένου?]

      προνοούμενος ὑπ[ὸ - - ]

4    καὶ δ᾿ ὀστᾶ Χ(ρισ)τ⟨ο⟩ φ[ιλ(εστάτων)]

      Κ(ύρι)ε μνήσθητι [ - - ]

Translation: 

This place was restored(?) by Modestus the hegumen(?) being cared for by… and the bones of the most Christ-beloved…(?) O Lord, remember…

Apparatus: 

Milik assumes a line to be lost above the first preserved line; l.1 [Τ]όπος Thomsen; [--Τ]όπο[ς τῆς ἀναλέψεως --] Milik; l.2 ὑπὸ μοδ[ίου] τού[του --], ‘sous ce boisseau’ Germer-Durand; ὑπὸ Μοδ[έστου?] τοῦ [--] Thomsen; l.4 καὶ δὸς τὰ Χ(ρισ)τ[ῷ] ὠφ[ελήματα?] Germer-Durand; καὶ δ’ ὀστᾶ ΧΤ[.]ΩΦ[--] Milik; abbreviation sign in gap between Τ and Ω? Di Segni.

Commentary: 

Both Germer-Durand and Thomsen considered this an epitaph, though Thomsen suggested restoring the name Μοδέστου. However, Abel and Milik connected the inscription with the restoration of the Ascension Church by Modestus, future patriarch of Jerusalem, after it was damaged in the Persian conquest in 614 (Antiochus mon., Ep. ad Eustathium, PG 89, 1427). The mention of relics may refer to the victims of the sack buried by Thomas the deacon on the Mount of Olives, and venerated in a cave nearby (J. Milik, MUSJ 37, 1960/61, 184f. no. 26; Garitte, Calendrier 243f., 8 June). If this interpretation of the text is accepted, the inscription must be dated to the years of Modestus’ activity, after 614 and before his death, between 630 and 634.

Date: 
7th cent.
Summary: 

Marble plaque with a building inscription for the restoration of the Ascension Church, found on the grounds of the Russian Convent on the Mount of Olives.

Contents
Actions: 
was renovated
Monastical titles: 
abbot/hegumen
Personal names: 
Modestus
Epigraphical formulae: 
Lord/Christ, remember...
Epigraphical Abbreviations: 
ΟΥ in ligature