The Holy Church of Theopolis (Antioch), 6th-7th centuries. Seal (Lead, 25 mm, 11.70 g, 12 h). +AΓ’ / ЄKKΛ’ in two lines. Rev. ΘЄ૪/ΠOΛЄ in two lines. Cheynet, Zacos 10 (dated 6th-7th century). DO Seals V, 9.17 (dated 9th century). Laurent, Corpus V/2 1512. Metcalf, Cyprus I 488. Zacos/Veglery 773. A very well preserved ecclesiastical seal. Very fine.



Oikonomides suggests (“The Anonymous Seal” in SBS IV p. 71-79) that these seals mentioning 'churches' were issued when the metropolitan was absent from his see or when the episcopal throne was vacant. Metcalf (Cyprus I, p. 376) argues against this and suggests that the anonymous seals of churches were held by the archdeacon.