Michael patrikios and protos tes presbeias (eleventh century, second half)
Obverse
Half-length of the Mother of God holding the Child in her left arm. Sigla on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΚΕ,Θ,
ΤΣ,
ΜΙΧΗΛ
Π̅Ρ̅Ι̅⸣ Τ,
Π̣ΡΕΣΗ
Σ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Μιχαὴλ π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ) (καὶ) (πρώτῳ) τῆς πρεσβήας
Obverse
Half-length of the Mother of God holding the Child in her left arm. Sigla on either side: ̅ΘΥ̅ : Μή(τη)ρ Θ(εο)ῦ. Border of dots.
Reverse
Inscription of six lines beginning with a cross. Border of dots.
ΚΕ,Θ,
ΤΣ,
ΜΙΧΗΛ
Π̅Ρ̅Ι̅⸣ Τ,
Π̣ΡΕΣΗ
Σ
Κ(ύρι)ε β(οή)θ(ει) τῷ σῷ δού(λῳ) Μιχαὴλ π(ατ)ρι(κίῳ) (καὶ) (πρώτῳ) τῆς πρεσβήας
| Accession number | BZS.1955.1.2534 |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 26.0 mm |
Translation
Κύριε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ Μιχαὴλ πατρικίῳ καὶ πρώτῳ τῆς πρεσβήας.
Lord, help your servant Michael, patrikios and protos tes presbeias.
Commentary
The office of protos tes presbeias has been understood as the head of a (lay) brotherhood entrusted with the care and presentation of a processional icon of the Mother of God (note the image on the obverse of this seal). See Nancy Sevcenko, "Icons in the Liturgy," Dumbarton Oaks Papers 45 (1991), 45-59, p. 55 n. 72.