E04557: Scarcely legible Greek inscription on a stone reliquary, possibly invoking the help of *Phokas (if so, probably the martyr of Antioch, S00413). Found at Karm Saddeh near Tripolis (Lebanon/Roman province of Phoenicia). Probably 5th or 6th c.

In his commentary on works discussing the reliquaries of Apamea (see E01829; E01832), René Mouterde mentions the inscribed lid of a stone reliquary from the village of Karm Saddeh, kept in a modern church. According to Mouterde's description, the lid comes from a reliquary shaped as a sarcophagus, is fitted with acroteria, and measures c. 0.40 m. There is no published image.

On the two narrow, gable sides there are busts of respectively: a male figure with nimbus (Christ or a saint), and another unidentified person.

One of the wide sloping sides bears a carving of a cross and three holes, possibly for pouring in oil or inserting a rod. The other side is decorated with a carving of a cross within a circle, flanked by ornaments.

The inscription runs on band at the bottom of the lid, where it once conjoined the chest of the reliquary. Letter height c. 0.015 m.

ΑΓ · ΦΩ · ΛΒΓΕΩΡΓ – ΑΙΒΛΟΜΗΤ

This is interpreted by Mouterde as:

ἅγ(ιε) Φω[κ]ᾶ, β(οήθει) Γεωργ(ίῳ) [κ]αὶ β(οήθει) Δομητ[ίῳ]

'O Saint Phokas, help Georgios, and help Dometios!'

Mouterde points out that Phokas was also venerated near Tripolis in Orthosia, where his relics were discovered together with those of a certain Loukas and Romanos ($EXXXX, Life of Peter the Iberian).

Dating: Based on the shapes of letters, Mouterde tentatively dates the inscription to the 6th c.