Inscriptions

Inscription #1071, S. Maria Novella 624 Tomb of Joseph, Patriarch of Constaninople

Diplomatic Transcription

+ ECCLESIAE ANTISTES FVERAM QVI MAĞVS EOAE ⋮ HIC IACEO MAGNVS /
RELIGIONE IOSEPH ⋮ HOC VNVM OPTABĀ MIRO INFLAMMATUS /
AMORE ⋮ VNVS VT EVROPAE CVLTVS VT VNA FIDES ⋮ ITALIAM /
PETII FOEDVS PERCVSSIMVS VNVM ⋮ IVNCTAq: ROMANAE EST ME DVCE /
GRAIA FIDES ⋮ NEC MORA DECVBVI NVNC ME FLORENTIA SERVAT ⋮ QVA /
TVNC CONCILIVM FLORVIT VRBE SACRVM ⋮ FELIX QVI TANTO DONARER /
MVẼRE VIVENS ⋮ QVI MORERER VOTI COMPOS ET IPSE MEI ⋮ /
+ ÌꝎCΗ ΦΑΡΧΙΕΠÍCΚ◊ΠΟCΚꝎΝCΤΑΝΤΙΝŎΠ'◊ΛΕꝎCΝÉΑCṔώΜΗC SⵀΊΚΟVΜΕΝΙΚÒCΓP̄IΑṔΧΗC Ǵȳ ЯϠμ̅3

Critical Transcription

Ecclesiae Antistes fueram qui mag(n)us eoae, hic iaceo magnus religione Ioseph, hoc unum optaba(m) miro inflammatus amore, unus ut Europae cultus ut una fides, Italiam petii foedus percvssimvs unum, iunctaq(ue) romanae est me duce graia fides, nec mora decu(m)bui nunc me Florentia servat, qua tunc Concilium floruit urbe Sacrum, felix qui tanto donarer mu(n)ere vivens, qui morerer voti compos et ipse mei. Ìωσηφ αρχιεπίσκοπος κωνσταντινŏπλεως νѐας ʹρώμης (καῚ) οίκοyμενικòς π(ατ)ριαρχης (ετους) ͵ϚϠʹΜʹΖʹ

Regularized Transcription

Ecclesiae Antistes fueram qui magnus eoae, hic iaceo magnus religione Ioseph, hoc unum optabam miro inflammatus amore, unus ut Europae cultus ut una fides, Italiam petii foedus percvssimvs unum, iunctaque romanae est me duce graia fides, nec mora decumbui nunc me Florentia servat, qua tunc Concilium floruit urbe Sacrum, felix qui tanto donarer munere vivens, qui morerer voti compos et ipse mei. Ìωσηφ αρχιεπίσκοπος κωνσταντινŏπλεως νѐας ʹρώμης καῚ οίκοyμενικòς πατριαρχης ετους ͵ϚϠʹΜʹΖʹ

Translation

I had been the great Bishop of the Eastern Church, here I lie, Joseph, pure in sanctity, I, inflamed by an extraordinary love, was wishing for only one thing: that there should be a single cult in Europe and a single faith. I made for Italy and we are striking an agreement: with me as a guide the Greek faith was united with the Roman one. I lay down without delay, now Florence watches over me, the city in which the Sacred Council then flourished. Blessed to have been given so great a duty while living, whereby having died myself in accordance with my vow. Joseph Archbishop of Constantinople New Rome and Ecumenical Patriarch, year 6947 [1439 according to the Byzantine calendar]