Divine Namesakes

May you, the light that led the way, protect the protosynkellos of the same name, shepherd of the flock of Mytilene.  

The bishop of Mytilene obliquely conveyed his personal connection to St. John the Baptist, depicted on the obverse, by citing their shared name. He also referred to his patron metaphorically as the light that led the way, an eloquent gloss on John as the forerunner of Christ.

Image Source

• Seal of John, metropolitan of Mytilene and patriarchal advisor (protosynkellos) (eleventh century, second half). BZS.1958.106.8