Deir el-Muqalik - THEOCTISTUS

Church/Monastery name: 
Deir el-Muqalik - THEOCTISTUS
Inscription number: 
27
Selected bibliography: 
140 (ed. pr.)
Abbreviation for Journals and Series
Epigraphical corpora: 

CIIP IV.1 (2018): 3180

Inscription type: 
acclamation
dipinto
Location: 

“Some 200 yards further up the valley, round a corner, on the same side, is what appears to be a granary rather than a cistern.” Above this granary was a small “cave chapel with three niches almost natural in its northern … side, and opposite them, on a kind of natural dome which formed the roof of the cave, a cross” (Chitty).

Physical description : 

Cross painted in red, “an A hanging from each arm – the Ω had become completely degraded into an A” (Chitty).

Text: 

Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστό)ς.

Α ˹Ω˺

Translation: 

Jesus Christ. Alpha (and) Omega.

Commentary: 

The inscription consists of a common motto taken from Apoc. 22:13; cf. Inscription no. 19.

Summary: 

Painted red cross with a Christian acclamation, on the dome of a small cave-chapel in extramural hermitage, about 180 m. from the monastery complex.

Citations from LXX / NT: 
Apoc. 22:13