Ma'ale Adumim; Kh. Murassas - MARTYRIUS

Church/Monastery name: 
Ma'ale Adumim; Kh. Murassas - MARTYRIUS
Inscription number: 
1
Selected bibliography: 
153, no. 1; 91, fig. 1 (ph.) (ed. pr.)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

SEG 40 (1990): 1493

CIIP IV.1 (2018): 3147 (ph., dr.)

Inscription type: 
epitaph
Location: 

Findspot: On a tombstone situated in the center of the square hall adjoining the church.

Pres. loc.: Good Samaritan Museum, Maʿale Adumim, inv. no. K29224.

Physical description : 

Four-line inscription, beginning with a cross, carefully engraved on a tombstone (90 x 77 cm). The tombstone is decorated with a large deeply cut cross and two palm leaves. Beautifully shaped letters belonging to the round Byzantine alphabet.

Text: 

Θήκη Παύλου

πρεσβυτέρου

καὶ ἀρχιμανδρί-

του.

Translation: 

Tomb of Paul, priest and archimandrite.

Commentary: 

Paul was the abbot of Martyrius' monastery in the late 5th century. The title of archimandrite may refer either to his position as deputy to Theodosius, archimandrite of all the coenobia in the diocese of Jerusalem, or to his role as abbot of the monastery. The round Byzantine letters can be dated to the late 5th or early 6th century.

Date: 
end of 5th or early years of 6th cent.
Summary: 

Tombstone of Paul, at the centre of the square hall adjoining the church.

Contents
Definitions of building/part of building: 
tomb
Ecclesiastical titles: 
presbyter
Monastical titles: 
archimandrite
Personal names: 
Paulus