The ekdikoi of Hagia Sophia, 13th century. Seal (Lead, 42 mm, 60.41 g, 12 h). I૪/[CTINIANO]N Δ/ЄC/Π (on the left) H A/ΓIA / CO/ΦIA (in the center) MHP / ΘV / H / B/OH/ΘI/A ('The emperor Justinian. The Mother of God, the Helper. The Hagia Sophia') The Mother of God, on the right, nimbate, and the emperor Justinian I, on the left, nimbate, wearing loros, both holding between them the Hagia Sophia. Rev. +TOIC ΘЄ/OCЄBЄCTATOIC / ΠPЄCBVTЄPOIC / KAI ЄKKΛHC/ЄKΔIKOIC ('The most pious priests and ekklesiekdikoi') in five lines. Zacos II 75. An extremely rare and impressive seal. Doubling on the obverse and surface cracks along the channel on the reverse, otherwise, good very fine.



Hagia Sophia is the largest, best-preserved, and most famous Byzantine church ever built. Constructed under the orders of Justinian I (527–565), its architects, Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, pushed the boundaries of ancient architecture, creating the world’s largest interior space and the first fully pendentive dome. Nearly fifteen hundred years of renovations and political changes—especially extensive repairs after earthquake damage and the addition of four tall minarets following the Ottoman conquest of Constantinople in 1453—have significantly altered its appearance compared to its original state when completed in 537. Nonetheless, the magnificent structure retains its beauty and monumentality and still boasts the fifth-largest church dome in the world today.

This impressive seal features, on the obverse, an image of the Mother of God and Justinian I holding Hagia Sophia in their hands. It was struck on behalf of the priests who served on the tribunal of the patriarch, known as ekdikoi or ekklesiekdikoi. They were presided over by a protekdikos, and their sessions took place in Hagia Sophia. Their seals were traditionally large in size, which allowed die-cutters to produce detailed and impressive iconography.