Evidence ID
E04533Saint Name
Mary, Mother of Christ : S00033Saint Name in Source
ΜαρίαType of Evidence
Inscriptions - Inscribed objects
Images and objects - Other portable objects (metalwork, ivory, etc.)
Archaeological and architectural - Cult buildings (churches, mausolea)Evidence not before
450Evidence not after
550Activity not before
450Activity not after
550Place of Evidence - Region
Palestine with Sinai
Palestine with SinaiPlace of Evidence - City, village, etc
Sebaste
ShilohPlace of evidence - City name in other Language(s)
Sebaste
Caesarea Maritima
Καισάρεια
Kaisareia
Caesarea
Kayseri
Turris Stratonis
Shiloh
Caesarea Maritima
Καισάρεια
Kaisareia
Caesarea
Kayseri
Turris StratonisCult activities - Non Liturgical Practices and Customs
Prayer/supplication/invocationCult Activities - Protagonists in Cult and Narratives
Other lay individuals/ peopleCult Activities - Cult Related Objects
Ex-votos
CrossesSource
The inscription is on a bronze cross. The arms of the cross also bear holes at their ends.
The cross was found in the debris of the so-called Later Northern Church at Shiloh. The church houses two inscribed floor-mosaics (SEG 61, 1691-1692, cf. Madden 2014, no. 184) which, however, do not specify its dedication. One of them records the completion of the floor-mosaic in the north aisle under the presbyter Delmatios, the other invokes God as the Lord to accept an offering (presumably the same mosaic pavement).
The inscription on the cross was first published by Leah Di Segni in 2012.Discussion
The cross was apparently a votive offering for the repose of the Anianios mentioned in the inscription. Remarkably, it is not God who is invoked to grant repose to Anianos but solely the Virgin Mary (here named Holy Mary/Hagia Maria). Therefore, this is an interesting record of a belief that saints (or at least some particular saints) could act independently, and not only by interceding with God. We can compare this request with similar cases where Mary and God (E04401), and Thekla and God (EXXXX) are invoked as equal partners.Bibliography
Edition:
Di Segni, L., "Greek inscriptions from the Late Northern Church at Shiloh", in: N. Carmin, E. Levin, C. Ebert, M. Gugenheim (eds.), Christians and Christianity, vol. 3: Churches and Monasteries in Samaria and Northern Judea (Judea and Samaria Publications 15, Jerusalem: Israel Antiquities Authority, 2012), 219-222, no. 3
Further reading:
Madden A.M., Corpus of Byzantine Church Mosaic Pavements in Israel and the Palestinian Territories (Leuven - Walpole, MA: Peeters, 2014), 127 no. 184.
Reference works:
Supplementum Epigraphicum Graecum 62, 1693.
