www.byzcath.org Forums General Discussions Town Hall What could it be?

Hello Ray Kaliss! Thank you that you've got interested.
As it was said, yes, I think it was worn on some chain maybe around neck or belt but not sure still. I don't know if there was any "web" thing in Orthodox art? Do you any?
About letters - it is the biggest riddle here still need solving...
About herbs - unfortunately it's gone, the person that it belongs to didn't think it's something important and took it out to clean that philakto.
Unfortunately I don't know whose image is on the front, nobody talked about it yet and I'm ignorant here Do you have any images similiar to this? are you sure it would be Christ? I thought it could be a monk?

Dear Zenovia,
I'll post another photo here that shows the bar:
[Linked Image] [imajr.com]
I've posted it already on that other forum I gave link for it.

You are right, we don't know the story behind it, that's why it's so difficult case. About family - they don't consider it holy, it's just me who have such idea coz of the kind of images (cross, that "holy" person?). On other forum they said it could be damaged in case it was used as a seal or stamp, then the letters should be read reversed. But who knows


it's another great suggestion of yours, I will try to do it as soon as possible!
Thanks!

Dear Daeg,

I just realized that I could enlarge the photos, and that there are Greek letters on it. Then it is certainly either Byzantine or Greek, which is basically the same thing. The backward 'k' I've seen before, so I don't think it means anything. I think the ancient Greeks made their k's backwards. The gamma, which looks like a y looped on the bottom is certainly Greek, and frankly only a priest would know the meaning of the letters. I'm not that knowledgable. The three loops on the bottom, if they are loops, probably had something hanging on them. Maybe some small crosses. Also, it might have been used as a seal since two of the letters are backwards. How curious! If it was a seal, then maybe it belonged to a priest, otherwise who would have had a seal with a religious symbol on it?

Of course coming from Imvos where the greatest Orthodox theological seminary existed, it understandable that it would belong to a cleric. Otherwise, who would it have belonged to? Could it be that the box contained some wax in order for the seal to be used...by a cleric of course? Maybe then some necessary things were hanging from the loops?

You know I have another suggestion. Why not ask the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese. They might have the courtesy to respond. Or better yet, get in touch with the Church of Greece. They would probably be more courteous, knowing that you're a foreigner. I would say to ask the Patriarchate in Istanbul, but they have so many problems now in Turkey, that I don't think you would get any kind of response.

There is also the Benaki Museum in Athens. It has many Byzantine artifacts, and one never knows. I guess it depends on whether they find it worth their while. Don't let them know it's not for sale.

You know Daeg, you have really gotten me involved now. Keep me posted.

God Bless,

Zenovia