Memorials

S. Maria Novella 624 Tomb of Joseph, Patriarch of Constaninople

Situated In

S. Maria Novella -- Transept, right (east)

Rosselli Number	624.0
Memorial Type
Status	extant
Current Repository	in situ
Primary Installation	wall
Secondary Installation	frn
Tomb Form	wall tomb
Liturgical Orientation	W
Documented Types	sepolcro cartella
Component Parts	plaque arch relief sculpture
Decorative Elements	portrait
Material	marble
Database ID	12003

Dates

1439 a	inscription
June 1st, 1440 b	inscription
circa 1572 (date is approximate) c
circa 1592 (date is approximate) d	decoration

Inscriptions (2 total)

1071	+ 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	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]
1070	hIC IACET EXIMIUS IOSEPhPATRIARCHA COnSTAnTINOPOLITAnUS QUI OBIT Å. Dⁱ. M̊ CCC̊CC̊CC̊CXXXX [sic] DIE PRIMA IUNII	Here lies the exceptional Joseph, Patriarch of Constantinople, who died in the year of the Lord 1440 [sic] on the first day of June

Individuals (1 total)

Shishman, Joseph II (patriarca) di Ivan (Patriarch of Constantinople)

circa 1440 (date is approximate) to present

Groups (1 total)

Shishman

Related Memorials (2 total)

S. Maria Novella 625 Wall tomb of Fra Aldobrandino Cavalcanti 1279	circa 1572 (date is approximate) to present
S. Maria Novella Tomb of Bishop fra Bartolomeo Rimbertini 1466:	1466 to circa 1572 (date is approximate)

Sources (3 total)

A. Diana, "Intorno al monumento funebre del Patriarca"
ASF, Manoscritti, 812, Sermartelli, Sep. S. M. Novella (copy)	fol. 50 (p. 45 o.s.)
ASF, Manoscritti, 625, Rosselli, Sepoltuario Fiorentino, 1657 (copy)	pp. 761, no. 624

Notes

[a] The Greek portion of the marble inscription includes the year 6947, which is 1439 according to the Byzantine calendar. Patriarch Joseph II died in Florence during the night of 10/11 June 1439. For bibliography on his poor health and untimely death during the Council of Florence, see Alessandro Diana (2012, p. 155).
[b] A painted inscription gives the correct month and day for the patriarch's death, but advances the year by one, rendering it in a peculiar fashion as M̊ CCC̊CC̊CC̊CXXXX. See Diana (2012, p. 162n33).
[c] According to Alessandro Diana (2012, p. 161), a contemporary chronicle records that the marble elements of the patriarch's tomb were moved from its original location in the last bay of the right aisle to its current position on southern (liturgical west) wall of the right transept to make way for a new tomb for Bishop Giovanni Battista Ricasoli who died in 1572. The portrait fresco remained on the aisle wall until 1592.
[d] According to Diana (ibid.), per the same chronicle the original portrait of the patriarch was destroyed in 1592 and repainted under the canopy of his relocated tomb in the transept.
[e] Patriarch Joseph II died on June 1, 1439, it is not known when his tomb was installed, but by the late 16th century it carried the date June 1, 1440.