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Organization of the Church in Medieval Nubia in the Light of a Newly Discovered Wall Inscription in Dongola

    Tomasz Derda, Adam Łajtar

Jahrbuch der Österreichischen Byzantinistik 69, pp. 135-154, 2020/05/28

doi: 10.1553/joeb69s135

doi: 10.1553/joeb69s135

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doi:10.1553/joeb69s135



doi:10.1553/joeb69s135

Abstract

The paper offers an edition of a Greek inscription written on a wall of the so-called Church B.V in Dongola, the capital of the Christian Nubian Kingdom of Makuria. The inscription commemorates the inauguration or a renovation of the church, accomplished by the archbishop of Dongola Aaron. It says that the ceremony of the church consecration was attended by nine bishops in addition to Aaron, and lists their names and the names of their sees. The bishops stayed in Dongola for seven days, probably taking part in a synod of the local Church. The content of the inscription casts light on the organization and functioning of the Makurian Church. Prosopographical indications, especially the mention of Ioannes bishop of Faras, suggest that the event took place either between AD 804 and c. 815 or AD 999 and 1002.

Keywords: Greek Wall Inscriptions, Church Organization, Nubia, Dongola