John bishop of Larissa. But which one?

[iolkia]

Hello

This is my latest acquisition. 23 mm, 7.38 g.

MP ΘV Facing bust of mother of God, Holding Medaillon with Christ. Probably first half of 11nth century since Theotokos is not Orans.

ΚΥΡΙΕ ΒΟΗΘΕΙ

ΙΩΝ ΕΠΙC
ΚΩΠΟ ΛΑ
ΡΗCCHC

So the owner was John, Bishop of Larissa. But which one? The one in Thessaly (the seller gives as reference PBW Ioannes 139 Bishop of Thessalian Larissa, in 11th century) or the Cappadocian Larissa where also a Bishop named John lived in the 11th century ?

Some of the Thessalian Larissa seals depict Saint Achilleios but not all.
The spelling of the city could possibly be a key?

I am curious to hear your comments.

Regards
Iolkia

[Gert]

First of all, I think your seal was misread. Most likely, the bishop was named Kon(stantinos) and there's a trace of K, not I before the omega. Where did you find a bishop of Cappadocian Larissa? I only find Thessalian Larissa.
Regards
Gert

[iolkia]

You are most probably right about the name. I should have considered this. After a quick research I found that  KWN is a usual abbreviation for Constantine while I couln't find the same abbreviation for John.

Problem is that I can't find any Constantine Bishop of either Larissas in the 10th or 11th centuries.

Here the link with John bishop of Larissa in Cappadocia. He lived in the 10th and not 11th century by the way.

https://db.degruyter.com/view/PMBZ/PMBZ30619

Regards
Iolkia

[Gert]

Interesting. Your seal dates to c. middle 11th century (the Nikopoios type is usually from that period) while this Yohannes is an interesting late 10th cent. figure. Moreover, he was a bishop of the Armenian apostolic church who were monophysites. In that capacity, it is pretty much impossible that the seal can belong to him, being a 'heretic' within the empire. But later he did adopt the Chalcedonian creed, effectively 'converting' to Byzantine orthodoxy. There was not an orthodox bishopric in Cappadocian Larissa as far as I can find, so your seal must belong to Thessalian Larissa, which was a metropolis. Looking in Laurent's Corpus of clerical seals, St. Achilles seems to be the patron saint, but there are is Mother of God type as well. I would continue to search for a Konstantinos, metr. bishop of Larissa in Thessaly.
Regards
Gert

[iolkia]

Thank you Gert for your thoughts and opinion. It Looks like I'll have to do some homework : )

Regards
Iolkia

[Gert]

Yes. Of course it can also be unique!
Gert

[Magistros]

Lovely seal, congratulations on your acquisition!

[iolkia]

Thank you Macerata1!

Btw, is it meant the one near Ancona? Very nice ancient coins with the elbow. I hope some time I find one!

Regards
Iolkia