★ The Hospital of Saint Zotikos ★

The Hospital of Saint Zotikos, 2nd half 12th century. Seal (Lead, 24 mm, 9.60 g, 12 h). [O A]ΓI/[O]C - Z/ω/T/I/K/O Saint Zotikos standing facing, wearing simple robes, his cape spread behind him, both hands raised in prayer. Rev. CΦPAΓIC / AΔЄΛΦωN / TOV OCI૪ / ZωTIK૪ ("Seal of the brothers of Saint Zotikos") in four lines, -+- above. DO Seals V 62; Laurent, Corpus V.3, 1916. Wassiliou-Seibt, Corpus 2326. Some cracks along the channel, otherwise, very fine.

This seal belongs to the leprosarium of Saint Zotikos, founded in the 4th century and situated on a hill below Galata. It was also the site of the tomb of its founder. In 1200, Antony of Novgorod visited the leper colony and reports that it consisted of a hospital and a church. The 'brothers' mentioned on the seal most likely refers to the monks running the colony and caring for the sick.