Nikephoros, patriarch of Theoupolis, the Great Antioch and the whole East, 11th century (1079-1091?). Seal (Lead, 27 mm, 14.69 g, 12 h).
MHP - ΘV The Mother of God "Nikopoios", standing facing, nimbate, holding medallion of Christ; to left, Saint Peter, nimbate, standing right, raising his hands in supplication; to right, Saint Paul, nimbate, standing left, raising his hands in supplication.
Rev. +KЄ R,Θ, / NIKHΦOPⲰ / [Π]ATPIAPXH / [Θ]Є૪ΠOΛЄⲰC / [M]ЄΓAΛHC AN/[T]IOXЄIAC / ΠACHC A/[N]ATOΛ, ('Lord, help Nikephoros, patriarch of Theoupolis, of Great Antioch and the Whole East') in eight lines. Laurent, Corpus V/2, 1525. Metcalf, Cyprus I, 486. Seyrig 235. Zacos II 57 bis. An impressive patriarchal seal of high historical importance. Very fine.
From a European collection, acquired before 2021.
Antioch was one of the most important bishoprics in the East, with the Christian community there supposedly being established by Saint Peter and Saint Paul, who duly appear on the obverse of our seal. The city was an important center of Christian thought and later became the seat of one of the five great patriarchates. At the same time, Antioch was a hotbed of religious controversy, and already in the early 6th century, the local church split into a Greek Orthodox faction and a Syriac Orthodox one. Antioch slipped out of Byzantine control after Syria was conquered by the Arabs in the 7th century, but under the emperor, Nikephoros II Phokas (963-969), the city was again incorporated into the empire. While little is known about the Greek Orthodox patriarch, Nikephoros, he was likely the predecessor of John the Oxite, who was exiled by Bohemond I after the First Crusade. Interestingly, the titles employed on this seal are still in use by the Orthodox patriarch of Antioch to this day.
