Greek inscription mentioning a cross of saint *Nicholas (probably the bishop of Myra under Constantine, S00520). Found in Mylasa (Caria, western Asia Minor), apparently late antique (5th-8th c.).
Evidence ID
E00828
Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Formal inscriptions (stone, mosaic, etc.)
+ σταυρὸς τοῦ ἁγίου Νικολάου
τοῦ ἀρ̣χ̣ιάστρου
'Cross of Saint Nicholas the 'lord of stars' (?) (or: the 'arch-physician'?).'
Text: I. Mylasa, no. 628.
Cult Related Objects
Crosses
Source
Marble plaque found in Mylasa (Caria, west Asia Minor) by Louis Robert. First published by François Halkin.Discussion
The most interesting feature of this inscription is Nicholas' byname: ἀρχίαστρος. François Halkin says that this puzzling word resembles an epithet used for the pagan goddess Astarte and the Moon, e.g. ἀστροάρχη and ἀστράρχη which can be freely translated as the lady of stars. Saint Nicholas of Myra could be called so because he was considered as a patron of sailors, using stars to navigate. Another explanation is that the epithet was misspelt and it should be read as ἀρχιατρός, i.e. the great physician. The word ἀρχιατρός occurs in another late antique inscription from Mylasa (see I. Mylasa, no. 629) which is apparently a poorly preserved list of objects belonging to a local church. It is therefore possible that the church was dedicated to Saint Nicholas the 'Great Physician'. This text is, however, to be republished by Denis Feissel with a photograph by Louis Robert.Bibliography
Edition:Die Inschriften von Mylasa, no. 628.
Further Reading:
Halkin, F., "Inscriptions grecques relatives à l'hagiographie, IX, Asie Mineure", Analecta Bollandiana 71 (1953), 99.
Reference works:
Bulletin épigraphique (1954), 26.
Record Created By
Pawel Nowakowski
Date of Entry
02/11/2015
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00520 | Nicholas, bishop of Myra in Lycia, under Constantine | Νικόλαος | Uncertain |
|---|
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
Pawel Nowakowski, Cult of Saints, E00828 - http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E00828