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The monastery of Glossia (eleventh century)

 
 

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin holding medallion of Christ before her. On either side: ΡΘΥ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines preceded and followed by an ornament. Border of dots.


σφραγ,

τησμον,
τγλ
σσιν
·

Σφραγὶς τῆς μονῆς τῶν Γλωσσίων

Obverse

Bust of the Virgin holding medallion of Christ before her. On either side: ΡΘΥ̅ : Μήτηρ Θεοῦ. Border of dots.

Reverse

Inscription of four lines preceded and followed by an ornament. Border of dots.


σφραγ,

τησμον,
τγλ
σσιν
·

Σφραγὶς τῆς μονῆς τῶν Γλωσσίων

Accession number BZS.1955.1.5072
Diameter 15.0 mm; field: 12.0 mm
Previous Editions

DO Seals 1, no. 28.4.

Translation

Σφραγὶς τῆς μονῆς τῶν Γλωσσίων.

Seal of the monastery of Glossia.

Commentary

The independent monastery of the Holy Apostles of Glossia, near the tip of Mount Athos, is well attested from 1012 to 1071. It later declined, became a simple skiti, and finally was attached to the monastery of Lavra (1353). For a brief history and bibliographic references, see Iviron I, 212.

The peninsula of Mount Athos was a territory reserved for monks from the ninth century on. The origins and early history of the monastic community, which from the beginning was dedicated to the Virgin, are discussed by Denise Papachryssanthou in Prôtaton. The central administration, located in the town of Karyes, was supervised by an elected protos, who together with his council, also administrated communal properties, while the monasteries maintained their independence.

Bibliography