E02967: Lid of a limestone reliquary, covered by four Greek inscriptions referring to *Stephen (the First Martyr, S00030), *Christophoros (martyr of Pamphylia, S00616), a certain *John (probably the Baptist, S00020, or the Apostle and Evangelist, S00042), and the *Apostles, all of them with unnamed companions (?). Unknown provenance (possibly Syria), now in the Benaki Museum (Athens). Probably 5th-6th c.

Lid of a limestone reliquary in the form of a sarcophagus. Dimensions: H. 0.215 m; W. 0.195 m. The lid, which has an unusual double-gabled shape, offers altogether four inscribed surfaces. Provenance unknown: probably Syria. Now in the Benaki Museum (Athens).

The lid was first published in 2011 by Anastasia Drandaki, in the catalogue of the exhibition Transitions to Christianity. Art of Late Antiquity, 3rd-7th century AD. The editor offered the following text of the inscriptions (in majuscule, and without line breaks):

+ μαρτύριον τοῦ +
Στεφάνου καὶ τῆς
συνοδίας αὐτοῦ +

'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of + Saint Stephen and his company (synodia). +'

+ μαρτύριον τοῦ ἁγί-
ου Χριστοφόρου +
καὶ τῆς συνοδίας

'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of Saint Christophoros + and the company (synodia). +'

+ μαρτύριον τῶν +
ἁγίων ἀποστόλων
καὶ τῆς + συνοδίας

'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of the + holy Apostles and the + company (synodia).'

+ μαρτύριον τοῦ +
ἁγίου Ἰωάννου
καὶ τῆς + συνοδίας

'+ Martyr shrine/reliquary (martyrion) of + Saint John and the company (synodia). +'

The editor also notes finely carved crosses under the arcades of the vertical sides of the lid. Yet another cross, with triangular spreading ends of branches is present 'on the lower part of the lid'. Its lower branch develops into a base. The following inscriptions flanks the cross:

Ἰ(ησο)ῦ Χ(ριστ)έ/'O Jesus Christ!'

Text: Drandaki 2011.