Костен архиерейски жезъл от затворения комплекс при Църква № 3 на Трапезица
A Prelatic Bone Sceptre from the Closed Complex Near Church № 3 at Trapezitsa

Author(s): Mirko Robov
Subject(s): Christian Theology and Religion, History, Archaeology, History of Church(es), Local History / Microhistory, Middle Ages, Theology and Religion, 6th to 12th Centuries, 13th to 14th Centuries, 15th Century, Biblical studies
Published by: Великотърновски университет „Св. св. Кирил и Методий”
Keywords: sceptre; bishop; Trapezitsa
Summary/Abstract: The prelatic sceptre is a symbol of strength and spiritual power. It imposes the obligation and responsibility to care for the integrity and preservation of the spiritual flock. The sceptre provides the bishop the power to judge and make decisions. The find from Trapezitsa is discovered in the big duplex building, in the civil complex near church № 3, in the Southeastern sector of the stronghold. The find has a biconical shape, with an almost flat upper surface. It’s quite possible that the workmanship is linked to a metropolitan studio. The entire surface features a “bird eye” ornament, applied circumferentially and also radially. Eight relief sheets are placed on the side surface. They are crafted in tall relief. From below the item ends with a bush for the attachment of the wooden stick. It remains an open question as to what kind of a representative of the metropolitan aristocracy was the complex in question meant for – a high-ranking layman or a clerical individual? The bone end of the prelatic sceptre is an important find, which links the new-found civil complex of Trapezitsa with a high-ranking representative of the metropolitan ecclesiastical hierarchy.

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