Anonymous, circa 10th century. Medallion (Lead, 43 mm, 16.12 g), "Eulogia" of St. Symeon Stylites the Younger. [+EVΛOΓIA TOV AΓIOV] CVMЄONOC [TOV ΘAVMATOVPΓOV...] ('Blessing of Saint Symeon the Miracle Worker') Nimbate half-length bust of St. Symeon the Younger, wearing monastic hood and holding book of Gospels, seated on column, flanked by two flying angels; below, on the left side of the column, Symeon’s mother St. Martha nimbate, standing right; on the right side of the column, Symeon’s disciple Konon nimbate, standing left, both with their hands raised in gesture of supplication. Rev. Blank. Cf. Gary Vikan: Art, Medicine, and Magic in Early Byzantium, in: DO Papers 38 (1984), p. 65-86, fig. 7. Edge chipped, otherwise, good fine.


As their name suggests, "eulogia" tokens were material blessings that pilgrims could take home with them after they visited a holy site or a stylite saint, such as Saint Symeon the Younger, who reportedly lived on top of a pillar for 68 years. Originally made out of terracotta, later eulogia tokens such as ours were often produced in lead