A very rare and historically important seal!

A very rare and historically important seal!
Byzantine Lead Seal (Lead,43.06 g. 39 mm.) Alexios Stoudites, Patriarch of Constantinople (1025-1043)
Obv: Full-length figure of the Virgin Hodegetria, facing, standing and nimbate, holding the infant Christ on her l. arm. Christ has nimbus cruciform. Sigla: Μ(ήτηρ) Θ(εοῦ). Within a border of dots, a circular inscription along the circumference beginning at eight o'clock: +Θ(εοτό)κε βοήθει τῷ σῷ δούλῳ.
Rev: Inscription in six lines: +[᾿Α]λεξίῳ [ἀ]ρχιεπι[σ]κ(όπῳ) Κωνσταν[τ]ινουπόλ[εως] Νέας ῾Ρώμ(ης) Border of dots.
Translation: Mother of God. Theotokos aid your servant Alexios, archbishop of Constantinople, New Rome.
Oikonomides, Dated Seals no. 84; Zacos II no. 14b; Seibt - Zarnitz no. 5.1. 5. PBW Alexios 11.
Alexios Stoudites was the Patriarch of Constantinople from 1025 to 1043. Alexios was appointed patriarch by Emperor Basil II on the latter's death bed without the sanction or knowledge of the metropolitan. As his appointment was not in accordance with Canon Law, his entire reign was marred by arguments and altercations. The importance of his patriarchate lies in his administrative policies, which were marked in numerous edicts, synods, and disciplinary laws. He concerned himself extensively with the doctrines of the Monophysites and the Messalians and with Byzantine marriage laws. In 1034, Alexius founded a monastery patterned after those of the Studite Order and devoted to the Blessed Virgin; it was later named after him.

Year: 1025-1043 AD
Diameter: 39 mm
Weight: 43.06 g
Material: Lead