Unique graffiti found in Polotsk

The Savior-Transfiguration Church of Polotsk is unveiling new pages of Belarus's ancient history. The temple is not only a unique monument of ancient architecture but also a true "library" of ancient graffiti inscriptions. They date from the 12th to the 19th centuries, and their number has reached four thousand. In April, as a result of restoration work on the northern doors of the temple, a fragment of a wall was cleared, on which new graffiti were found.

One of them became a real sensation. A memorial record of five lines, measuring 17x6.5 cm, was deciphered by I. Kalechyts, a leading specialist at the Center for the History of Science and Archival Affairs, and an associate professor, as follows:

"Avdakim passed away in the month of March, on the first day, a priest of St. Savior. Remember, Lord, in eternal life. Master from the Greek side."

The graffiti were created in the 12th century, as evidenced by paleographic data. The person who left the inscription was very familiar with writing.

The rather concise memorial inscription, in essence, unfolds before us the biography of a person who came from Byzantium and was most likely a builder or a master of fresco painting. After working in the churches of Polotsk, and perhaps he also participated in the construction or painting of the Savior Church, he remained in the city, took holy orders, became a "popin" – a priest in the Savior Church, and died on March 1st.
Thus, through the study of ancient graffiti, we know the name of another person, the master and priest Avdakim, who lived during the time of Saint Euphrosyne of Polotsk and can be placed on par with the renowned names of the architect Ioann and the master Lazar Bohsha. The graffiti of the Savior-Transfiguration Church also reveal the names of the icon painter Kuzma and the builder Sava, priests and abbesses, who are not mentioned in other written monuments.

"VITEBSKY VESTI"