376 I'ROVEEDIXaS of the national museum. vol. 40. 



Christ the Sovereign King, only Son of the only Grod, be thou pure 

 in mind and flesh and deeds, in order that thou mayest by thy pure 

 prayers (help) the mortal people." 



2. In the rectangular vignette: "The very beautiful mosaic work 

 of this sanctuary, and of the holy house of the altogether pure Sover- 

 eign Mother of God (has been made) by the care and zeal of this 

 town of Madeba for the salvation and the reward of the benefactors, 

 dead and (living) of this sanctuary. Amen, Lord! It was accom- 

 pUshed by the aid of God in the month of February of the year 674 

 induction 5." As it is not known after what era the years were 

 reckoned, the date can not be determined. If the Seleucidan era was 

 intended, the year 674 would correspond to 362 or 363 A. D. 



3. To the right in one line: "Holy Mary help Menas IV." Per- 

 haps referring to some bishop or another prominent man who was 

 buried in the church.* 



4. The three vignettes on the upper right corner: "Christ God 

 reared this house under the holy Sergius, bishop of the same by 

 the zeal of the presbyter Sergius, son of the Holy AeHanus in the 

 year. * * * "2 



1 See PEFQS, 1895, pp. 208-210; also Kubitschek, p. 368. Nevue Biblique, vol. 7, 1898, pp. 422, 643. 

 » For a discussion of the date, see Clermont-Gannean , PE FQS , 1897, p. 224. . 



