Greek fragmentary inscription with invocation to *Mary (Mother of Christ, S00033), probably from a church dedicated to her. Probably found at Barka (Cyrenaica, eastern North Africa). Probably 6th c.
Evidence ID
E08475
Type of Evidence
Inscriptions - Formal inscriptions (stone, mosaic, etc.)
Σὺ εἶ Θεοτό[κος ἡ ἐγείρουσα ἀπὸ γῆς]
πτωχὸν κα[ὶ] ἀπ[ὸ κοπρίας ἀνυψοῦσα τὸν]
πένητα κ[…]ετ[
μετὰ βασιλέω[ν
ΠΗCIAN[…
CΩ[…
'You are the Mother of God [who lifts from the earth the]
beggar and [from the dung-heap raises the]
poor man [and places him]
among kings [...'
Text: J. Reynolds, in Ward-Perkins and Goodchild 2003, 265, no. 32.
Translation: J. Reynolds, modified.
Cult Places
Cult building - independent (church)
Source
Two conjoining pieces of a rectangular block recorded by Joyce Reynolds from a photograph on which 'Barka' was written - presumably its findspot. Dimensions and current location unknown.The lettering is carefully cut, and probably sixth century.
Discussion
From the wording of the inscription, we cannot be confident of the context of this invocation to Mary, but a church dedicated to her is its most likely setting.The inscription borrows words from 1 Samuel:2.8 (the prayer of Hannah); in so doing it ascribes powers to Mary, that in the biblical text are attributed to God.
Bibliography
Editions and discussion:Ward-Perkins, J.B. and R. Goodchild, ed. J. Reynolds, Christian Monuments of Cyrenaica (Monograph 4, Society for Libyan Studies 2003), 265, no. 32. [The inscriptions in this volume were published by Reynolds.]
Reynolds, J. "The Christian inscriptions of Cyrenaica," Journal of Theological Studies 11 (1960), 284-94, at 290, no. 18.
Record Created By
Bryan Ward-Perkins
Date of Entry
25/07/2023
| ID | Name | Name in Source | Identity | S00033 | Mary, Mother of Christ | Certain |
|---|
Please quote this record referring to its author, database name, number, and, if possible, stable URL:
Bryan Ward-Perkins, Cult of Saints, E08475 - http://csla.history.ox.ac.uk/record.php?recid=E08475