Antonios II Kauleas, archbishop (patriarch) of Konstantinopolis, the New Rome, 893-901. Seal (Lead, 36 mm, 26.00 g, 12 h). +ΘЄOTOKЄ - ROHΘЄI✱ The Mother of God 'Hodegetria', nimbate, standing right, wearing chiton and maphorion, pointing with her right hand towards Infant Christ seated on her left arm. Rev. ANTⲰNIⲰ / APXIЄΠICKO/ΠⲰ KⲰNCTAN/TINOVΠOΛЄⲰC / NЄAC PⲰMHC in five lines; above, decorations; below, cross and decorations. Laurent, Corpus V/3, 1628. Zacos II 9. An important and rare patriarchal seal. Minor breakage on the edge and with light cleaning scratches, otherwise, very fine.


Before becoming patriarch, Antonios Kauleas was the abbot of a monastery that he had founded himself. The complex had a church dedicated to the Theotokos, and the sermon that emperor Leo VI delivered at the inaugaration of this monastic church has even been preserved. It is known to have housed a mosaic representing the Hodegetria, probably much like the image he later chose for his patriarchal seal. After his death, Antonios was buried at the monastery, and a string of miracles were ascribed to him, leading to his canonization as a saint by both the Orthodox and Catholic churches.