E00989: A white marble reliquary with carvings and Greek inscriptions referring to the relics of an unidentifiable saint *K(- - -), and apparently also to four unnamed martyrs. Found at Sebasteia (Roman province of Armenia I, eastern Asia Minor). Probably 6th/7th c.

An inscribed white marble reliquary (H. 0.42 m; W. 0.7 m), brought to Sivas (Sebasteia, Armenia I) from a nearby town or village (probably from Erzincan). The front face is decorated with a carving of a lamb standing in front of a cross. The lamb is flanked by two acanthi. One of the inscriptions runs around the edges of the reliquary, the others are inscribed on its sides.

Around the edges:

ἐπὶ | τοῦ ἁ|γιο(τάτου) ἐπ|ισκ|όπου | Θωμ|ᾶ ἐν | ἰνδ. | β΄, | μη(νὶ) Φ|εβρ|ουαρ(ίῳ) | κη΄, [...(?)] κ̣ατ|άθε|σις | τῶν | ἐνδ|όξω|ν λη<ψ>|άνω|ν τοῦ | ἁγίου ̣Κ(- - -)

'Under the most holy bishop Thomas in the 2nd indiction, in the month of February, on the 28th (day), the deposition of the glorious relics of Saint K(- - -).'

On the sides:

+ Λίψανα τῶ-
ν ἁγίον ̣δ΄ (?) μ(αρ)τύρ(ων)

perhaps ἁγίο<ν> ν̣δ΄ (?) μ(αρ)τύρ(ων) Schneider

'+ The relics of 4 (?) holy martyrs.'

Χριστιανῶν
τοῦτο τὸ σῆμα
ἐφ' ᾧ ὁ Χ(ριστὸ)ς λό-
γῳ ἐξετανύσθη

'This is the sign of Christians, on which Christ was stretched, according to the Word.'

Text: Schneider 1939.