Shivta - St. George (North Church)

Inscription number: 
12
Selected bibliography: 
Negev, A., 1981
58, no. 62, ph. 51 (ed. pr.)
Figueras, P., 1985
28, no. 20 (dr.)
Meimaris, Y. E., 1992
285-286, no. 467
Di Segni, L., 1997
843-844, no. 339, figs. 389 A-B (ph. dr.)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

SEG 31 (1981): 1440

Inscription type: 
epitaph
quotation
Location: 

Findspot: On a tombstone in the baptistry.

Pres. loc.: IAA, Inv. no. 36.1279, neg. no. 19.750.

Physical description : 

The epitaph is engraved on a rectangular tombstone, which had a metal cross attached to its middle. The text begins with a cross.

Text: 

      ☩ Ἐτέλεσεν

      τὸν δρόμον

      καὶ ἐνθάδε

4    κατετήθη ὁ

      τρισμακάρ(ιος)

      Ἰωάννης

      Στεφάνου πρ(εσβύτερος)

8    μ(ηνὶ) Ἀπελ(λ)αίου κʹ

      ἰνδ(ικτιῶνος) γʹ ἔτους

      φθʹ, δουλεύσ(ας)

      τῇ ἐκλησ(ίᾳ) ἐν Χ(ριστ)ῷ.

Translation: 

Completed the race, and here was laid the thrice-blessed John, (son) of Stephen, priest, in the month of Apellaios, 20, of the 3rd indiction, year 509, after having served the crhuch in Christ.

Commentary: 

20 Apellaios 509 corresponds to 6 December 614, in the 3rd indiction. The phrase "completed the race" is a quotation from I Tim. 4:7.

Given date: 
year
month
day of the month
indiction
Date: 
6 December 614
Summary: 

Dated epitaph of John son of Stephen, on a rectangular tombstone found in the baptistry, 6 December 614.

Contents
Actions: 
was laid to rest
Ecclesiastical titles: 
presbyter
Titles/epithets of patrons/dedicators: 
thrice-blessed (trismakarios)
Personal names: 
Ioannes, Stephanus
Citations from LXX / NT: 
I Tim. 4:7
Epigraphical Abbreviations: 
stigma above mu for μ(ηνί), horizontal stroke over nomen sacrum, tiny horizontal stroke or small cross for numerals, double-dotted iota, monogrammed ΟΥ