63, no. 1, pl. XXXVII.b (ph.) (ed. pr.) | |
262-263, no. 53, fig. 61 (ph.) |
A number of inscribed marble fragments were discovered in the excavation. They contain only a few letters each and cannot be automatically dated according to the chronology of the floors, since they do not belong to constructive elements and may have been dedicated at any time while the church was functioning. A fragment of tablet contains the left part of a two-line inscription, carefully engraved in the Byzantine oval alphabet. The text begins with a cross.
☩ Ἐπὶ το[ῦ - - - ]
Γεωργ[ίου - - - - ]
In the days of ... George ... (or of [our most saintly bishop] George).
ΓΕΩΡΕ, Ἐπὶ το[ῦ ὁσιωτάτου Γεωρ(γίου) ἐ(πισκόπου] Avi-Yonah, seemingly interpreting a small mark at the base of the loop of the Ρ as an abbreviation sign; however, the stroke resembles more a decorative element, a "collared" rho not uncommon, especially in the late 6th and 7th century; of the last character only the upper corner is visible.
Fragment of marble tablet.
It is by no means certain that the George of the dedication was a bishop. Nevertheless it is not unlikely, since ἐπὶ τοῦ implies a dating, provided by the mention of a church dignity. A bishop of Ptolemais called George attended the 5th oecumenical council at Constantinople in AD 553.