Sinai Greek 172 is a manuscript of the Four Gospels. On folio 197 recto we read the following inscription.
+ Ἐτελειώθη σὺν θ(ε)ῶ ἡ θεόπνευστος βίβλος αὕτη· διὰ χειρὸς ζαχαρίου πρεσ(βυ)τ(έρου) πανελαχίστου, του πραιτωριότ(ου)· ἐξεπιτροπῆς θεοδώρου μ(ε)γ(άλου) ὑπάτ(ου) καὶ τεποτ(ηρη)τ(οῦ) κολωνείας τοῦ γαβρᾶ· καὶ τῆς αὐτοῦ συνεύνου εἰρήνης· πρὸς σκέπην καὶ διατήρησιν καὶ ὑγείαν καὶ σ(ωτη)ρίαν καὶ ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν αὐτῶν· + μηνὶ μαΐω ινδ(ικτιῶνος) Ε΄· ἔτους ͵ϛφοε΄· επὶ βασιλέως αὐτοκράτορος ῥωμαίων κων(σταν)τ(ίνου) τοῦ δοῦκα + οἱ ἀναγινώσκοντες, εὔχεσθε ὑπὲρ τοῦ γράψαντος ἅμα τῷ κτησαμένω την βίβλον ταύτην· + διὰ τὸν κ(ύριο)ν· +
+ This God-inspired book, finished with the (help) of God by the hand of the presbyter Zacharias, the smallest, the praetoriotes, on the commission of Theodoros Gabras, great hypatos and tepoteretes (governor) of Koloneia and his wife Irene; for protection, preservation, health, salvation, and forgiveness of their sins; in the month of May, indiction 5, year 6575 (1067) in the reign of Constantine Doukas, emperor of the Romans. + May the readers (of this book) pray for him who wrote this book as well as for him who acquired it + for the sake of the Lord. +
Theodore Gabras recaptured Trebizond from the Seljuks in 1075. Alexis I Komnenos appointed him governor of Chaldia, the historical region in northeast Anatolia. In the late eleventh century, Theodore Gabras was de facto independent ruler of Chaldia. In 1098, he was defeated in battle and given an ultimatum, ‘Denounce your faith, or die’. He confessed his faith in Christ, for which he suffered many torments. He remained steadfast, and at last received the martyr’s crown. His memory is celebrated on October 2. Saint Theodore the Great Martyr is held in special veneration by the Greeks from Pontus.
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