Athos Holy Mount

Seals Of The Monasteries	17.8 Seal of the Holy Community 1850 Protaton Copper alloy, diameter 4.7 cm
	The seal is quartered along its horizontal and vertical axes, the four sections numbered on the reverse in Greek (Α, Β, Γ: the section numbered Δ is missing). The matrix when reconstituted bears a representation of the Virgin Vlachernitissa with Christ in an attitude of benediction. The figure of the Virgin is flanked by her monogram, M(HTH)P Θ(EO)Y:, and that of Christ by the corresponding I(HΣOY)Σ [X(PIΣTO)Σ]. Running around the perimeter is the legend (in Greek and Turkish): + ΣΦPAΓIΣ TOY ΠPΩTA[TOY THΣ KOINOTHTOΣ T]OY AΓIOY OPOYΣ. AΩN CEMAAT-I AYANOROZ ('Seal of the Holy Community of Mount Athos 1850 / Community of Mount Athos'). The four-part matrix was introduced by the Typikon issued by Patriarch Gabriel IV in 1783. The second article of this document deals with the seal of the Holy Community: 'The former seal of the community is to be broken and taken out of use; henceforth the four-part seal lettered in Greek and Turkish, which has already been prepared, is to be used for all purposes and requirements, including sureties of debt... Each of the four parts of the seal shall be retained by one of the four overseers, and at the end of each year's term of service shall be surrendered to the new officers.' The quartering of the seal reflects the collegiate nature of this administration. The four overseers, who together constitute the executive arm of the Holy Community, each hold one part, thus making it impossible for a document to be sealed (and therefore validated) in the absence or without the approval of any one of the four.
	Bibliography: Alexandros 1886-7, pp. 409-13. Meyer 1894, col. 18-28. Delikanis 1902, p. 282. Gabriel S. 1922, pp. 114-5. Mamalakis 1971, p. 629.
	K.Ch.
	Index of exhibits of Protato 19th century

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