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association with the [handwritten: xx] rite of baptism or the celebration of the Epiphany. This inscription is no exception. Now there are two psalms especially associated with the entrance of a church and the beginning of the rite of [handwritten: a] baptism, the 83rd and [handwritten: xxx] 121st. The whole of the 121st was recited near the beginning of the Coptic dedication of a baptistery. In the Nestorian celebration of the Epiphany, there were [handwritten: xxxxx] recited at least the first two verses of the same psalm,(121),
[handwritten: Ἐυφράνθην ἐπὶ τοῖς εἰρηκοῖν μοι] [handwritten: 491 492]
Handwritten: Εἰς οἶκον κυρίου πορευσόμεθα.
These same two verses are inscribed on a lintel found in Syria and 'undoubtedly, belonging to the south doorway.' [handwritten: 493] Since the way from the baptistery, often on the south side of the church, was through the south door, this door with [handwritten: 494] its inscribed lintel may well be associated with baptism. The second line of this psalm quoted is obviously analogous to the first and last lines of our inscription. The [handwritten: ἐπταγὼ] and [handwritten: ἐυτυχὼς] of our inscription may well be reminiscent of the lines of the same psalm (121),
Handwritten: γενέσθω δὴ εἰρήνη ἐν τῇ δυνάμει σου
Handwritten: καὶ εὐθηνία ἐν ταῖς πυργοβασεσίν σου.
In the Nestorian rite of the celebration of the Epiphany [handwritten: 495] and in the [handwritten: xxx] Coptic dedication of a baptistery, [handwritten: the whole] [handwritten: 496][handwritten: parts] of the 83rd psalm [handwritten: was] recited, [handwritten: were] On a lintel found in northern Syria [handwritten: and in the Nestorian rite of baptism, 497 the whole of it.]
65 figures hard to readstruck struck outadded written in above” jug ditto, and what it repeatsword reading not certain
