E01693: Greek building inscription probably commemorating the construction of a martyr shrine (martyrion) dedicated to *Sergios (soldier and martyr of Rusafa, S00023). Found at Sīfre near Lake Gabboula, Beroia/Aleppo, and Chalkis (north Syria). Dated 527/528.
Cult activities - Non Liturgical Practices and Customs
Construction of cult buildings
Source
A stone lintel, with a carving of a cross within a circle in the centre. There are the letters Α and Ω below the horizontal arms of the cross. No published description.
Found in a modern channel, 4-5 km from the village of Sīfre, close to Sugane/Sokhani. When recorded, the stone lay partially under water.
Seen and copied by Joseph Dumbakly. The copy was forwarded by Sébastien Ronzevalle to Louis Jalabert and René Mouterde for publication. First published in the second volume of Les inscriptions grecques et latines de la Syrie in 1939.
Discussion
The layout of the inscription is problematic, but if the words were read correctly, we can accept that the inscription commemorated the construction of a martyr shrine dedicated to Sergios.
The date, the year 839, is given according to the Seleucid era, which corresponds to AD 527/528.
Bibliography
Edition:
Jalabert, L., Mouterde, R., Les inscriptions grecques et latines de la Syrie, vol. 2: Chalcidique et Antiochène (BAH 32, Paris: P. Geuthner, 1939), no. 258.
Reference works:
Bulletin épigraphique (1940), 172.