Methodios, monk and synkellos, mid 11th century. Seal (Lead, 28 mm, 12.56 g, 12 h). MHP [ΘV] Nimbate Theotokos 'Nikopoios' facing, holding medallion of Christ with both hands. Rev. ΘKЄ R,HΘ, / [M]IΘⲰΔH / [MⲰ]NAXO / [S CVN]KЄΛ in four lines. Unpublished in the standard references. Flan faults, otherwise, good very fine.


The reconstruction of the legend is made difficult by the flan fault and the lack of a parallel example. Apparently, omicron and omega were switched, as were epsilon/eta and iota. A synkellos was a very important cleric in the entourage of the patriarch. The name of the office was originally monastic ('he who lives in the same cell').