Khirbet Makkûs - Church

Church/Monastery name: 
Khirbet Makkûs - Church
Inscription number: 
3
Selected bibliography: 
333, no. C, figs. 5C, 6C (drs.) (ed. pr.)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

SEG 48 (1998): 1890

CIIP III (2014): 2319 (dr.)

Inscription type: 
dedicatory
invocation/prayer
Location: 

Eastern end of the main mosaic pavement of the nave.

Physical description : 

The inscription was probably set in long lines within a rectangular frame. Parts of three lines were recorded. Original inscription lost; reading based on a drawing by an anonymous Australian WWI soldier stationed in Palestine, who discovered the mosaic on 23 January 1918. Accurate details of the script cannot be provided.

Text: 

[? Κ(ύρι)ε πρόσδεξαι τὴν προσφορά]ν Λεοντίου ἡερ[έως?]

[ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - φρ]οντίσαντος ΔΙ [ - - - ]

[ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ] ΡΟΥ [ - - - ]  

Translation: 

[Lord, or Saint –, or God of Saint –, accept the offering] of Leontius the priest(?) … by the care of …

Commentary: 

Iotacism: eta instead of itoa in ἡερέως (l.1), for ἱερέως

Date: 
early 6th cent.
Summary: 

Fragmentary dedicatory inscription of Leontius the priest, in the mosaic pavement of the nave.

Contents
Ecclesiastical titles: 
presbyter
Personal names: 
Leontius
Epigraphical formulae: 
Lord/Christ, accept the offering…
By the care of (φροντίζω)