★ An extremely rare image of Gregory the Theologian (329-390) ★

Gregorios, bishop of Nazianzos, 11th century. Seal (Lead, 26 mm, 12.48 g, 11 h). [Θ Γ]P,/ΓⲰ/P, - [O] Θ[Є]/Ⲱ/ΛO/Γ, Nimbate facing bust of Saint Gregory the Theologian, raising his right hand in benediction and holding a book of Gospels in his left. Rev. [+KЄ R,Θ,] / TⲰ CⲰ Δ[૪] / ΓPHΓOP, / ЄΠICKOΠ, / NAZIAN/Z૪ in six lines. Zacos II 483. An intriguing seal of an important bishop bearing extremely rare iconography of the Cappadocian church father. Struck on a short flan, otherwise, very fine.

From a European collection, formed before 2005.

The 'Cappadocian Father', Gregory the Theologian (329-390), was born in Nazianzos, which makes him a proper choice to appear as patron saint on the seal of a bishop of this city. Gregory the Theologian, archbishop of Constantinopolis, was a classically trained orator and philosopher, and a prolific and accomplished writer of theological works, but also of poetry, epigrams and letters. He is revered as a saint in both the eastern and western Churches. Together with St. Basil the Great and John Chrysostom he is one of the 'Three Hierarchs' of Eastern Christianity. His image appears only very rarely on Byzantine seals.