Church/Monastery name:
Ashdod Yam (Azotos Paralios) - Church of the Deaconesses
Inscription number:
1
Inscription type:
epitaph
Location:
In front of the apse of the chapel attached to the basilica on the north.
Physical description :
The characters are 4.2-4.4 cm high and belong to the square alphabet, except for an occasional oval, narrow omicron.
Text:
1 [Ἔνθα κεῖται τὸ λείψανον το]ῦ Ϲτεφ[άνου ἐπισκό]π̣ο̣[υ]
2 [κοιμηθέντος ἐν εἰρ]ένῃ, κα‹θ›κ[ικετεύον]τος [τὸν Κύριον]
3 [ἀναπαύσαι αὐτὸν μετὰ τῶν] πατέρων αὐ[το]ῦ, καὶ βασιλίσει̣.
4 [ἔτους] ζσ′ ἰνδ(ικτιῶνος) η′ μηνὸς Δύστρου α.′
Translation:
[Here lie the remains of Bisho]p Steph[anus, who fell asleep in] peace,
be[seeching the Lord to grant him rest with] his forefathers, and he will
have a share in the kingdom (of Heaven).
[Year] 207, indiction 8, 1st of the month of Dystros.
Given date:
year
month
day of the month
indiction
Date:
March-April or February-March 455 CE.
Summary:
An epitaph dated to March-April or February-March 455 CE according to the era of Rome.