Romanos, bishop of Telmoupharan (Tell-el Fara'in?), circa 11th century. Seal (Lead, 23 mm, 7.68 g, 12 h). O / Є/Λ/Π-I/Δ/I/O, Nimbate bust of Saint Elpidios facing, holding martyr's cross in his right hand. Rev. KЄ R,Θ, / PⲰMAN, / ЄΠICKOΠ, / TЄΛM૪/ΦAPAN/KI૪ in six lines. Unpublished in the standard references. A highly interesting episcopal seal from Egypt. Very fine.


This intriguing seal may well belong to a bishop of Tell-el Fara'in, in Egypt, a bishopric that was part of the patriarchate of Alexandria. During the tenure of Romanos, Egypt was under Fatimid rule