Monastery of Aghia Panaghia Goumenissa

Monastery of Aghia Panaghia Goumenissa

Greece trash can

Greek (modern)

This modern inscription is written on a trash can that was found outside of a monastery in Gouménissa. This inscription is a common Greek phrase associated with the Eastern Orthodox Church that is thought to have originated from Saint Gregory of Nazianzus (c. 329 BCE - Jan 25 390 BCE). The inscription, "ΝΙΨΟΝ ΑΝΟΜΗΜΑΤΑ ΜΗ ΜΟΝΑ ΝΟΨΙΝ," is a palindrome which means it can be read the same way backward and forwards.

This phrase can be found inscribed outside of many churches around the world. Most notably, a mosaic of the phrase arches over the holy water font outside the church of Hagia Sophia in Constantinople. This phrase is always found beside water-related iconography or near holy fonts outside of churches because it is a common practice for members of the church to have to cleanse oneself with holy water before entering church space. That tradition is maintained here by having an amphora painted below the words.

ON CAN: ΝΙΨΟΝ ΑΝΟΜΗΜΑΤΑ ΜΗ ΜΟΝΑ ΝΟΨΙΝ

TRANSCRIPTION: Νίψον ανομήματα μη μόναν όψιν.

TRANSLATION: "Wash the sins, not only the face."

[unknown]

2011 [photographed]

Pria Jackson, Tina Salowey (photo)

Images provided for non-commercial research and reference use only. No permission is required from the rights-holder(s) for educational uses. For other uses, you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s). Should you have use questions or any legal concerns about this image or collection, please contact the Wyndham Robertson Library.

Part of Greek in the Wild: Inscriptions Explained

stucco; acrylic paint

hand-painted

Greek

utilitarian objects

monastery_goumenissa

Gouménissa, Kilkís, Macedonia, Greece

Gouménissa, Kilkís, Macedonia, Greece