al-ʻAraj; Bethsaida - Church of the Apostles

Church/Monastery name: 
al-ʻAraj; Bethsaida - Church of the Apostles
Inscription number: 
3
Epigraphical corpora: 

Inscriptions published in: Di Segni, L., Ashkenazi, J., Aviam, M. and Notley, R.S., "The Greek Inscriptions from ‘The Church of St. Peter’ at Bethsaida (el-‘Araj)", Liber Annuus 73 (2023): 141-160.

Location: 

In a medallion in the northern pastophorium, holding a baptismal basin and labeled "diakonikon" in the inscription.

Text: 

1 (cross) Ἐγένετο

2 τὸ πᾶν ἔργον τῆς

3 ψιφόσεως τοῦ διακο‑

4 νικοῦ σπουδῇ Kωνσταν‑

5 τίνου θεράποντος Χ(ριστο)ῦ· κορ‑

6 υφὴ τῶν ἀποστόλων καὶ τ‑

7 ῶν οὐρανίων κλ‹ει›δοῦχε, πρ‑

8 έσβευε ὑπὲρ αὐτοῦ καὶ Γε‑

9 ωρ(γ)ίου καὶ Θεοφανοῦς

10 τῶν αὐτοῦ тέκ‑

11 νων

Translation: 

The whole work of paving the diaconicon with mosaic was done by the zeal of Constantine, servant of Christ. Chief of the apostles and holder of the keys of the heavenly (spheres), intercede for him and for his children, George and Theophanô.

Commentary: 

The letters, 9-10 cm high, belong to the oval alphabet as in Inscription 2, but show characteristics of a later period, the second half of the 6th century or even later.

Summary: 

An intact eleven-lines inscription in a medallion in the northern pastophorium holding a baptismal basin, labeled "diakonikon" in the inscription. 

Contents
Actions: 
the work was done
Definitions of building/part of building: 
psephosis,psephotheteia (mosaic)
Titles/epithets of patrons/dedicators: 
servent of Christ
Personal names: 
Constantine, George, Theophano
Kinship terms: 
children
Saints names: 
Peter
Epithets of saints: 
Chief of the apostles and holder of the keys of the heavenly (spheres)