New Coptic Texts from the Monastery of Saint Macarius

New Coptic Texts from the Monastery of Saint Macarius

Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn White

Manuscripts of the 5th–10th century

English translations of the fragments from the library of the Monastery of Saint Macarius in the Wâdi ’n Natrûn that were bought for the Cairo and the Cambridge collections: apocryphal gospels and acts of the apostles, texts on the Virgin and the archangels, martyrdoms, lives of monks and bishops, homiletic fragments and liturgical fragments. Most of them are broken, so each section is a fragment of a larger work; the dots and brackets are the editor’s marks for places where the manuscript is damaged.

Apocryphal Fragment on Adam

1 Thus it was—God approving him (sc. Abel) and his good disposition—that when Cain his brother saw that which he did, he envied him with a wicked envy. He also brought of the firstfruits of his field offerings to the Lord. Whensoever he brought them, he would say in his heart: "God eateth not anything": he would sit down to eat them in the presence of the Lord in his unpardonable greed. God had respect unto the disposition of Abel, but to the Sacrifice of Cain He paid no heed. Now Cain was vexed in heart: his countenance changed through shame. God said unto Cain from Heaven: "Wherefore art thou vexed in heart? Though thou didst well in bringing them, thou didst not well in dividing them. Bethink thee that thou hast sinned." So Cain was wroth against Abel his brother, because God loved him (Abel) more than him. He said unto him (Abel) in the guile of his father the Devil: "Let us go into the field to take our pleasure for a little." For, lo, (as) God made all things in six days, so also He made man a giant, (so that) if he journeyed from the eastern parts, he would come to the western in six days' journey. Therefore Cain journeyed with Abel his brother three days' journey, until he came to the Rock of Golgotha, the place of Jerusalem, the place wherein there was no town; for as yet there was no man there. Cain the wicked one did this thing that his father might not hear his (Abel's) voice when he should slay his brother.

2 When he had brought his brother up thither like a little lamb which is dumb, he trampled upon him with his feet. [...The waters of the Flood] "rolled it, until it came to the place wherein his son's blood was poured forth. When the men saw it, they marveled greatly, saying: This is one of the men of old time:" they buried it in that place. They called it The Place of the Skull unto this day, and they built the city in that place. So when men were multiplied, they turned back to their old sins. But the Son of God could not endure when He saw that the whole image (sic) of manhood would go to perdition. He bowed the Heaven of Heavens and came down: He gave Himself up into the hands of sinners. They condemned Him to death. He endured all torments in [the flesh?...] 3 [Three lines lost.] "They took His cross and fixed it upon the Rock of Golgotha, the place where Adam's skull was buried with Abel his son: they hanged the Savior upon the Cross. (Yet) after all this His Godhead did not separate from His Manhood. They thrust a spear into His holy side, and thereout came water and blood which fell upon the ground. It (the ground) was rent: the depths were troubled, because He unto whom they did all this was God: the luminaries of Heaven were darkened. When the First-created saw all this he marveled and arose and drew near to the Cross to behold that which was come to pass. The Savior stretched forth His holy hand upon him who approached...his arising (?): He [commanded the] Archangel...

Fragment from an Apocryphal Gospel

1 10 And lo, the days were accomplished that the Virgin should bear Our Savior. She said unto Joseph: "Help me; for He Who is in my womb would come to birth." With the Angels let us praise Him! Recto [He did not resist when the] "soldiers sought Him, nor did He take weapons. Lo, He hangeth in your midst, O my brethren, like one of your own kind. I speak not of a kingdom for a season, but of a kingdom for ever: when He shall have arisen from the dead, He shall reign over all, the living and the dead. For this same cause I say: My Lord, remember me when Thou shalt come in Thy kingdom." Jesus answered: "Today shalt Thou be with Me in My kingdom." Then the impious Gestas rebuked his companion, saying: "[If He were?] not a sinner (?)..." Verily I say unto you that this one (Gestas) also departed and received the portion of Judas in Amenti. Verso

2 Pilate, therefore, when he saw that there was in Jerusalem at that time a multitude of people from every nation and every country, showed forth Jesus unto them as the King of the Jews. He wrote an inscription in this manner (and placed it) upon the cross. He wrote it in Hebrew because of the Jews who were in the city and the strangers also; that they might read it when he should have raised it up, that they might not deny it. He wrote in Latin because of the Romans who were in Jerusalem...

The Descent into Amenti

1 Who is This Who hath trodden down Amenti and hath brought up the dead, and hath made war in the land of Death, and is in state? Who is This Who bindeth and maketh fast in the midst of the brethren, and releaseth them that are in the prison that He may bring them forth from darkness? Lo, This is He Who by His death giveth new life, and, behold, the country of the dead is troubled at His entering into it. Who is This Whom the land of the dead heard and arose, and, lo, the bodies therein were troubled, seeking after their limbs? Who is This Who hath bound the strong ones in their country, the destroyers of the land of Death and Satan? Who is This Who weareth on His head a crown of thorns and is pierced? He hath cast off the corruption of Death. He will not return...

2 Be ashamed, O Death, and know that This is the Christ, the Son of God... (l. 6) Not even the demons failed to know Him upon Golgotha, and the elements knew Him when they quaked at His voice. By the unveiling of His flesh He hath confounded powers and authorities and astounded them in that they knew Him upon the Cross. Had it not been for the Crucifixion, they would not have known the Son, Who He was; but at the Crucifixion they all beheld and knew Him, every one. Judas himself not even... the demons who knew the Son of God. For he did not take... upon himself to know Who it was Who in His weakness showed us the power of His mightiness, and at His Crucifixion received the adoration of the Gods. On that (i.e. the Cross) whereby all the strong ones are laid low they raised Him up and glorified Him...

3 [(The souls in Amenti cry out to Christ)... And another said: "Let] Thine abundant mercy [come] speedily Recto unto me, my Lord." Another (said): "Deliver my soul from the depths of Amenti." Another: "Bring my soul out from the depths of Amenti." Another: "Bring my soul out of this prison." Another: "Thou wilt not leave my soul in Amenti." Another: "Let my life come up from destruction, O Lord my God." Now when Christ Whose compassion is abundant heard them, He saluted (?)... For this cause God the Word visited all men who were in the flesh through the medium of flesh, there being therein (sc. in the flesh) a reasonable soul. But as for the souls which were separated from their bodies, He appeared unto them in Amenti through the medium of the holy divine soul which is separate (from the body). Therefore let us haste to go down to Amenti in our understanding that we may behold how with... might He seized authority... at that time...

4 …and more than she sought. Peter wept and asked forgiveness of Thee, and Thou gavest him the keys of the Church of them who are in the Kingdom of Heaven. For such is Thy... upon them who have been cast away from of old, and upon them who had not there any hope of salvation in Thee, and upon them who came alone unto the land of Amenti by reason of sin, in that Thou hast revealed unto them the greatness of Thy love for man. For this cause I say and will not cease to say: "Quicken me for Thy mercy's sake. For in death there is none that remembereth Thee. Who shall be able to show Thy praise in Amenti?" For this cause I hasten, for this cause I prepare, for this cause I labor, knowing that there draweth nigh unto me "the end of my life. Shall I confess God at all in Amenti?... There is no deliverance after death, there is no deliverance in the grave. For my life is a...; and while its course(?) passeth, there is none to contend(?)... and to gain the crown in that place; while the night taketh hold on me ere yet the market with its goods is opened. Harken unto that which the Scripture saith concerning all men who end their lives (well): For death..."

5 "Prepared is the bride-chamber, prepared are the victuals made ready for the marriage-feast, the tabernacles and the everlasting habitations are prepared. Opened are the treasuries of good things, already prepared is the everlasting Kingdom of the Heavens. The good ones stand looking down upon men." While the true Potentate, Christ, was speaking these and such like words, He raised up Adam whom He had reconciled with Himself; and He raised up Eve together with him. And He raised up also many bodies of the Saints who slept from of old, and He brought them forth from the tombs. And they preached the Resurrection "of the Lord after three days; the which took place to the joy of us, the faithful; and when we beheld it, we welcomed it. And now let us exult with the Angels and hold festival with the Archangels. Let us give glory with them unto Him Who hath raised us up from destruction, even Christ.

6 To Whom belongeth glory and might together with His good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, now and at all times and throughout all ages. Amen.

Fragments of an Apocalyptic Gospel

1 that there was to be an earthly Kingdom of feasting and good cheer, as also did Irenaeus. In the latter half of the second century the fanaticism of the Montanists discredited belief in the earthly Millennium, and it was sapped by the allegorizing teaching of Origen at Alexandria. The belief also finds expression in the Apocalypse of Paul—whatever be the date of that work—; though 'a new earth' or mystic 'land of inheritance' is to be the scene of the Thousand Years' reign. But while Alexandria and other intellectual centers might philosophize and spiritualize, the simple and illiterate peasantry of Egypt retained the material beliefs which alone were intelligible to them. Before 260 A.D. an Egyptian bishop, Nepos, led a reaction in the Arsinoite nome against the Origenistic school, teaching belief in the Thousand Years as a period of bodily luxury and delight. The movement was formidable enough to call for the intervention of the Archbishop, Dionysius, who in confuting it impugned (as others had done) the authenticity of the Revelation, the corner-stone of the Chiliastic doctrine. Very possibly the opinion, though outwardly silenced, remained unshaken in the country villages; but it never again found an articulate champion in Egypt. Methodius of Tyre (early fourth century) and Apollinarius of Laodicea (c. 368 A.D.) were the latest exponents of Chiliasm in the Near East, but do not seem to have been connected with Egypt.

2 Now our fragments certainly represent an attempt to express in authoritative form the Christianized belief in the Millennium, and, as was usual, the belief has been embodied in a 'Gospel' or 'Revelation.' To produce such a work the compiler has selected passages or episodes from the Johannine Revelation, and after working them up to suit his purpose, has made them the backbone of his narrative. But—perhaps because the Revelation was open to challenge—he has also worked in strands from unimpeachable sources: such are the resurrection of the righteous and their assumption to meet the Lord (fol. 116), the Coming of Christ in full view of the sinners and the severance of the wicked from the just (fol. 116), and the introduction of Chorazin and Bethsaida (fol. 117). Further instances will be found in the Notes. Other elements are apparently either invented—e.g. the 'blessing' pronounced by the Father (fo. 112)—or are derived from Old Egyptian beliefs, the Judgment in Amenti (fo. 117) being a notable instance of the latter. The presence of this typical Egyptian belief suggests that the 'Gospel' is Egyptian in origin, or at least extensively worked over by Egyptians; and the play (if it is deliberate) on the words cobr—cebrus (fo. 117 ll. 9 f.) points in the same direction.

3 If this is so, we have here fragments of an Apocryphon of local origin upholding a definite belief not known to have been publicly championed in Egypt after the second half of the third century. Though our leaves contain nothing distinctly pointing to this period, neither (I think) do they show marks of later date. Possibly, therefore, the 'Gospel' is to be connected with the anti-allegoristic movement headed by Bishop Nepos in the Arsinoite Nome. Conjecturally, but only conjecturally, we can go a step further and identify the original work with the apocryphal book ascribed to Nepos and entered on the black list in the Decree of Gelasius. If so, the fragments assume something of historic importance. The 'Gospel' was doubtless attributed to some venerated name by those who used it, but on whom it was fathered we cannot tell. In fo. 116 Bartholomew is introduced, but quite without significance; nor does the only other definite personal reference (to Mary, fo. 141) furnish any clue to the authorship.

4 1. "...Thou shalt remember My head and My right hand, that Thou mayest say: Blessed be My Father Which is in the Heavens." For lo, every one shall say that I and Thou together are one. For Thou art the form of My Godhead, the express image of My essence and My might, with one kingdom, one dominion and one power. When Thou shalt go down upon the earth that Thou mayest hold festival with the righteous in the Thousand Years of Thine inheritance, there shall come unto Thee the angels and the great powers of the Heavens... that they may spend good days (?), that Thou mayest delight Thyself with Thy holy ones upon the earth. "The door of the Heavens shall stand open, while good things come down upon the world from them who are on high, that they may remain with them, (even with) the saints who shall eat of them. They shall know how far above the good things of earth are those of My kingdom."

5 And after that My Father shall have blessed Me, hear the manner in which I shall come. Michael and Gabriel and Raphael shall sound the trumpet before Me at the command of My Father. Then shall the host of Heaven crown themselves, they shall raise a chant before Me, saying: "Ye angels rejoice, and ye Heavens hold festival; for the Kingdom is of the Lord and of His Christ." "Recho" [I will raise up the bodies of My martyrs...], "and My pure virgins, and the continent who finished (their course) in purity. They shall stand upon their feet, their souls returning into them in a moment. The Angel of the Presence shall comfort them all: he shall take them up upon the Chariot of the Cherubim: he shall carry them up to Heaven, that they may walk with Me in their flesh upon the clouds of Heaven. They shall behold Me with them as I come down from the gates of the Heavens—even the sinners who were numbered with the anti-Christ: these are they who shall be upon the earth in the days of My Appearing."

6 "Verso Bartholomew answered and said: My Lord, 'wilt Thou that... in the days of Thine Appearing? If the righteous shall be upon the earth for the Thousand Years, where shall the sinners dwell? Surely they will not live with the righteous of Thine inheritance?'" The Savior answered and said: "In the day when I come upon the clouds of Heaven, all the pure ones shall be with Me from Adam, and Abraham, and Isaac and Jacob, and all the righteous: I will set them before My face. And Mistrael, the Angel of Wrath, shall gather together all the sinners to the western part of the whole earth, that he may remove them to the regions which are without, unto the place which is anti-Christ's. "There shall be a Pillar of Light, like unto silver, in Amenti: all the multitudes of mankind shall be brought unto the Place of Judgment. But ye upon your thrones within the wall shall order the judgment. But the rest of the righteous—they who shall not be able to attain unto the measure of the judgment—shall sit upon a Pillar of Light, that they may behold them who do judgment and them who have judgment done upon them.

7 In that day I will cause the Angels of Wrath to go forth in the whole world, that they may bind the anti-Christ and them that are with him and cast them into chains of fire. Straightway the Shameless One shall wax wroth, the Great Devil shall arise: 'he shall show himself forth in the world, he shall cause error, he shall make the multitudes to err, (saying): I am God; there is none other save me.' He shall go up unto the cities, wherein I did My mighty works and they believed not on Me, Chorazin and Bethsaida: he shall lead forth a multitude following after him and crying out: 'Thou art God, our Christ and our King.' Then Enoch shall say unto them in that day: 'This is not God: believe not on him! But this is the Son of Iniquity: this is the Devil, who from the beginning hath led men astray from life. Lo, in the land of the Inheritance shall the Christ do judgment'..."

8 "Retto..." and Enōs and Nōe and Iaphet and Melialeēl. He made them to stand up in His presence in the midst of the Angels of Glory, and said unto them: 'Lo, the works of the Devil increase in Sodom and Gomorra: his abominations increase in them. What will ye that I should do unto them, O my righteous ones? I will cast upon them fire and brimstone that I may consume them to their foundations.' "Verto Then the righteous wept in the presence of My Father, saying: 'O God and Father of Wisdom, the Lord of Virtues and of Spirits, pardon them that Thou mayest show them the way, that Thou mayest bring them back to Thee; because the Devil hath led them astray through his wicked works.' My Father said unto them by the mouth of a Seraphim—for lo, it is not possible (for any) to behold My Father save the Cherubim who are His council, and all the pure ones—My Father said: 'O My chosen, the righteous, the word hath gone forth from My mouth: I will consume them, I will consume them; because Satan hath exalted himself in his workings, saying: "Mine is the whole earth: the place wherein I wish to be, (there) I will be. Lo, I choose for myself the land of Sodom: I am therein." Lo, now I will consume them and destroy them to their foundations'..."

9 "[...spreading] 'forth our hands we prayed, and He uttered a prayer. The earth quaked and the whole city bowed to this side and to that. And if ye wish to hear that prayer which He uttered in Chorazin, arise and beseech Him to declare it unto you together with the mighty works which He wrought upon the (sic) bodies until He raised them up, that ye may hear and marvel." Then the Apostles all hastened to our Savior and kissed His hands, saying: "Our Lord and our Teacher, we would not that any man should speak with us, save Thee. For lo, we wish 'to hear Thy sweet voice at all times. (As for) Mary, our sister, we find her at all times to speak with us; but (as for) Thee, there are two more days which Thou wilt spend among us ere the Pentecost is completed, and after that Thou wilt go up into the Heavens from among us."

10 The Savior answered and said: "O My disciples, though ye say that when I shall have gone up into the Heavens, ye will find Me no more to speak with you; verily I say unto you that every time that ye shall ask a question, everything which ye shall ask in My name and the name of My Father, I will come straightway to declare [it unto you]..."

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Travels of Saint John

1 not deserve to live! If thou canst not serviceably perform a task, then why didst thou undertake it eagerly, leaving me to undo your carelessness? Art thou come hither to mock Romanna, her whose fame reaches unto Rome? Thou shalt not be able to escape me; for thou art my servant. In eating and drinking thou delightest thyself, but for doing work thou art remiss. O thou ill-favored one, change thy disposition, that thou mayest serve Romanna." Now when I heard these things which she said to John dealing him sore blows the while, "I was in great sorrow of heart and grief. But John said unto me: My son, Prochorus, wherefore art thou perplexed? For thou knowest that we set out boldly on the sea, and art thou grieved in heart at a single buffet from a woman and a little anger? Get thee to the work assigned thee, and perform it cheerfully. For our Lord Jesus, our Maker, was buffeted: they spat in His face, they scourged Him, they crucified Him. Us, even us, His handiwork, He Himself hath redeemed with His blood, and gladly 'became like unto us: and He told us all these things beforehand. But in His patience let us possess our souls."

2 Now when he had thus spoken unto me, I went my way and toiled at the task appointed me by Romanna. And when the morning of the next day appeared, Romanna came to John and spake unto him in this wise: "If thou needest aught else for the body, I will give it thee: only give heed to thy work properly." John said unto her: "I have enough for the needs of the body; and as for the work, we will attend to it." She said unto him: "Then why do many (complain of thy neglect?"). [John explains that he is unused as yet to his task. A demon in the guise of Romanna appears threatening and reviling John.] ("...depart) from this place. I by no means wish that thou shouldest serve me more." But John knowing through the Spirit that it was a demon, prayed in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. And straightway the demon fled away ashamed.

3 Now on the morrow Romanna came saying unto John: "Many tell me concerning thee that thou payest no due heed to thy work. But thou doest thus of thy perverse wish that I may release thee from this place. And The demon is speaking. thou canst not depart again out of my hand. If thou shouldest seek to escape from me, I will not leave one of thy members whole." And in "all this, John did not answer her. But when she perceived his patience and gentleness, she thought to herself that he was a simpleton, and spake unto him with harsh speech, reviling him and saying unto him: Art not thou my slave, O ill-favored one? What sayest thou? Dost thou not admit thy slavery? Answer me!" And John said unto her: "Verily I am thy slave, I the fire-man, and also Prochorus the bath-man." Now Romanna that accursed woman had a friend who was chief among the judges, among them who are called scholastici. She betook herself unto him and spake with him saying: "Two slaves of my parents, whom they bequeathed unto me, (ran away) many years ago; and now they are come (back) to me, confessing, 'We are thy slaves.' Is it possible for me to establish afresh the sale of them?" The scholasticus said to her: "If they say: 'We are thy slaves since the time of thy parents,' thou mayest take three trusty witnesses unto them, in order to establish securely the fact of their purchase."

4 But John through the Spirit was aware of this and said unto me: "Know, my son, that this woman desireth us to admit to her that we are her slaves. Now let us not be grieved at this thing, but rejoice the more, and let us do so (as she bids); that by these means Our Lord Jesus the Christ may show this woman whose disciples we are." When John had so spoken, Romanna came in in great triumph and straightway seized upon John, saying: "O runaway slave, why when thy mistress entereth in dost thou not come forth unto her to do obeisance to her?" [John and Prochorus admit that they are the slaves of Romanna. The bath-house is haunted by a demon who thrice a year strangles the first person to enter.] (Now the owner of the) bath-house, Dioscorides, used to observe the day on which these things occurred. This man had a son, eighteen years old, very comely in form, named Domnus. And he used to keep guard over him on the days when the mischief was to occur, and would not allow him to go to the bathhouse on that day. So then after we had spent three months at the bath-house, the son of Dioscorides entered into the bath-house alone to bathe. And I went with him, having the utensils in my hand and waiting on him. And straightway, when he had entered in before me, the demon strangled him.

5 And when his servants knew of it, they came forth weeping and saying: "What shall we do? For our lord is dead." And when Romanna heard it, she cast her mantle upon the ground and tare the hair of her head, saying: "Woe is me, wretched that I am! What shall I do henceforward? With what face shall I look upon the face of Dioscorides? Or how shall I answer him, miserable that I am? But as for him, if he shall hear that his son is dead, he too will die. For my lord Domnus was his only son. O great Artemis, help; that life may return unto this youth through thy power. For we know all, both men and women of Ephesus, that it is thou who reignest over all. I beseech thee raise up thy servant Domnus." And she kept tearing the hair of her head from the third hour of the day unto the ninth hour. And there was no life in the youth.

6 Now there was a great multitude assembled because of the lad, some lamenting for the boy, and others wondering at Romanna and the way she acted in her grief. And when John was come forth from the stoke-hole, he said to me: "Prochorus, my son, what is this tumult in the city today by reason of this woman?" But when Romanna saw him speaking with me, she rushed (upon him) and seized him, and said to him: "O wizard, thy sorceries are revealed! For because of thee my goddess hath withdrawn herself from me." And she dealt him a buffet, saying: "O wicked slave, that art come now to mock me! Dost thou rejoice over that which hath befallen my son? What sayest thou, O worthless slave?" When John had heard these things from Romanna, he departed into the bath-house. [John restores the boy to life: Romanna, Dioscorides and others are consequently converted. A demon takes the form of an imperial official commissioned to arrest John and Prochorus, and bribes two of the city guards to aid him.]

7 (The demon said) "unto them: Swear to me by the great Artemis that in death and in life ye will work with me, and I will show you. And they sware unto him: "We will stand by thee in all things. And he showed them a great load of gold, saying: "My comrades, do your utmost, and, lo, I these (monies) I have prepared for you in return for your pains. And they said unto him: "Show us thy business and be not anxious. He said unto them: "I, poor wretch, am a man of Caesarea in Cappadocia in Palestine (sic). I am an adjutant of a comentaresius, and there were delivered unto me two men, wizards, from Jerusalem: the name of the one was John, and the name of the other was Prochorus. Now I cast them into the prison. And on the fourth day the archon asked for them; and, lo, they were shown to have wrought wicked and harmful deeds. And when the archon saw the multitude of their evil deeds which were manifested, he sent them again to the prison, that by examination of them he might know of a certainty concerning the evil deeds which they had committed. Now when I had removed them to cast them into the prison, they escaped out of my hands by wicked sorcery. And when I informed him who was over me of the matter, being vexed with me he said: Depart, wretched man, and seek after them.

8 If thou dost not bring them to me, thou shalt die miserably; and if thou dost not find them, do not return to me. For I know the wrath of the archon against me. And he was showing them the semblance of a pile of gold, saying: "I have heard from a number of men that they are in this region, and for this cause I am come to this city. And he began to weep, "saying: My wife and my children and they of my house—I have left them behind me, and lo, now I wander in this strange land. But consider us, my good comrades, and take pity on my condition as a stranger. And the guards said unto him: "Be not troubled, comrade. Only, are the wizards in this place? He said unto them: "Yea; but I fear lest perchance they escape from this place by reason of their wicked art, that is, sorcery. But do thus, my good comrades. Cast them into some place and let no man know it, that ye may slay them secretly and receive these monies which I have brought away with me."

9 But they said unto him: "It is much better for thee if they be taken, that thou mayest bring them to thy country; for if they be killed, how wilt thou return to thy city?" But he said unto them: "Slay them, my good comrades; and I do not wish to see my city ever, nor to behold it again." And they agreed with him to slay them and to receive at his hand the semblance of money. Now the holy John knew through the Spirit that which the evil spirit did. And he said to me: "Myson, Prochorus, I would have thee know and prepare thy 'soul for certain trials. For lo the demon who is in the Temple of Artemis stirreth up reproach and great affliction against us. For, lo, he hath raised up two of the guards against us, having spoken evil to them concerning us. And Jesus, my God, hath showed me everything which the demon hath spoken against us. Be strong of heart, therefore, my son Prochorus, and prepare thyself for these things."

10 So while John was telling me these things, there came to us the two men who were of the guard, and seized us. Now Dioscorides was not there at that time, 'but was gone to his house on some public business. And John said unto them: "For what cause do ye this?" And they said: "For an evil art, that is, sorcery." But John said: "And who is he who accuses us of these things?" They said to John: "We will take you to the prison until you meet your accuser." But John said unto them: "Ye may not take us wrongfully. If ye have not here our accusers before our faces, why then do ye vainly this idle thing?" But they 'dealt John a buffet. And as they dragged us away, they did not take us into the prison, but took us to a house apart, that they might kill us, even as the evil demon had enjoined upon them. But Romanna made search for Dioscorides. So when that man heard her, he arose in haste and came and delivered us. And he spake harsh words to the guards, saying: "It is not lawful for you to imprison any man unaccused and unless he who accuses them appears face to face with them—much more 'since they are not in the public prison, but in a private house, so that ye may plot evil against them. Behold now, these men (shall be) in my house; and if there is any man who accuses them, let him come and take them, and let them be judged according to the law." And Dioscorides took us to his house.

11 But the guards said to one another: "Let us go and bring hither their accusers (sic), and then we shall be able to get justice." Now in dealing with this matter alone, Dioscorides was rough with them. So they went to the place where the demon "was sitting—he who claimed to be one of the guards and an adjutant of a comentaresius—, and they did not find him. They fell into great and unendurable lamentation. They sat down in that place, saying: Woe unto us! What shall we do? For that man is not here, and if Dioscorides shall find us lying (?)—for he is a man of great power—perchance he may deal hardly with us." And they were in that place lamenting. And while they were so speaking, there came to them (the demon...) [The demon stirs up the people of Ephesus against John and Prochorus. At the prayer of John the temple of Artemis falls down and the demon is cast out. The two are now brought before the magistrates of the city accused by a Jew, named Mareôn.]

12 [And the magistrates said:] "What have they done that appertains to the working of sorcery?" And Mareôn declared unto them: "A man of the guard who came from their country seeking them, he gave information concerning them and the things which they did in that place." Then they said to Mareôn: "Let the man who came, of whom thou speakest, appear, that he may declare the truth concerning them. As for these men, let them be cast into the prison until that man appear, to speak the truth concerning them." Then they cast us into the inner prison, securing us with fetters. But the multitudes went about through the whole city seeking for him who was called one of the guards. And they kept seeking for him by means of heralds, who are those who cry out. And when these could not find him, after three days they (sc. the people) came to them who governed the city, saying: "We have not found the man who knoweth the truth concerning these men." But the rulers of the city said unto them: "Then we cannot hold strangers in the prison if their accusers are not here to bring an indictment against them."

13 And they who controlled the city sent and let us go, casting us out and commanding [us not to stay in the city]. [John and Prochorus retire to Marmareôn, but are bidden by Christ to return to Ephesus, whence John should be transported to the Isle of Patmos. The sufferings and achievements of John are more fully recorded elsewhere.]

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Death of Saint John

1 [... are written] down in other (works) in an exceeding great discourse which we call Kamatike, that is to say, The Sufferer. And for all those things which come upon us we give glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen. wonders innumerable through the Name of Our Lord Jesus the Christ, and had brought back almost the whole country from the pollution of idols, and had brought them from the bitter servitude of Satan to the knowledge of Our Lord Jesus the Christ and of His good Father and of the Holy Spirit, and filled the whole country 'with Churches of the Christ, assigning unto them a multitude of Bishops and Priests and Deacons, while moreover the faith of Our Lord Jesus the Christ and knowledge of Him spread and increased among them all; and after that all the holy Apostles had finished their course—Peter being crucified in Rome, and Paul beheaded, and Mark in Rakoti drawn for two days until he died: in a word, each one in the country whither the Lord had sent him (having perished) under a multitude of afflictions and by various deaths—the blessed John (still) lived in this world for a number of years down to the reign of Domitian. He spent seventy years in the body after the Resurrection of the Lord and became an old man, exceeding heavy. He did not taste the bitterness of death by the sword or by any other instrument of execution, because the Lord loved him greatly according to his merit; as it is written in the Gospel. For he was the beloved of the Lord, he who was found worthy to rest upon His bosom...

2 [God purposes to give rest to John. The Apostle addresses the believers at Ephesus and, after administering the Eucharist to them, causes Prochorus and others to dig a grave outside the city. He then utters a thanksgiving to God.] '... 'Who deliverest at all times those who with all their heart long for salvation; Thou who didst give Thine own self, that all living things might know Thee; Thou Who hast care for all Thy creation, down to the smallest creature, and forgettest none (of them); Thou Who didst cause the wild and waste soul to become tame and gentle; Who didst reveal Thyself to her when she was dead, and redeem her for Thyself when she was defiled with the filth of sin, and didst unite her with Thyself as a pure bride when she was defiled with the uncleanness of her iniquities and wholly vanquished by Satan; Who didst give her Thy hand and raise her up from the fall caused by her enemy, making her to guard (?) against him, and casting him down under her feet; Thou Who alone art pure and abidest in them that are pure, Jesus the Christ, my King, the only Gracious One, Joy of them who are in the Heavens, Protector of them who are upon the earth, Dread of them beneath the earth, Delight of all them that are Thine; Who preservest them who are upright with their whole heart; Who takest to Thyself in glory them who are worthy;—take me to Thyself also according to Thy word and Thy promise unto me of old, that Thou mayest give me repose..."

3 [After ending the thanksgiving, John bids his companions return to the city with a last message to the brethren.] "When we heard these words, we kissed his hands, weeping with a bitter weeping. And when we had left him in the pit, we went unto the city and told the brethren everything; and they straightway went forth with us to that place. And as for him, the holy Evangelist, we did not find him; but we found his garments and his sandals, sprinkled over with dust which covered over the pit wherein we had left him, (that is), the place into which he had descended. And we marveled at that which was come to pass, (for) we did not recognize the place of the pit wherein his body was buried, because of the abundance of the dust which was gathered over it and which covered the whole spot. "And so we returned to the city giving glory to Christ our God, Who doth vouchsafe such grace as this to them that are worthy of it, Who glorified His beloved, the holy and pure Apostle and Evangelist John, with this form of death, marvelous beyond the deaths of the rest of the Apostles.

4 And for these things we laud and we glorify our good God, our Lord Jesus the Christ, our true King, with psalms and praises and spiritual songs. For to Him fitly belongeth glory, together with His good Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life and consubstantial with Him, both now and at all times and for ever and ever. Amen.

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Preaching of Philip and Peter

1 of the Lord." "And straightway the gate came in together with the pillar which was upon it and became (part) of the building in the presence of the whole multitude; and no sound of it was heard at all. And Philip turned himself unto the multitudes and said unto them: "Lo, we will build the house of the Lord. Let the children who are virgins come to work upon the house of the Lord: after that, let us all work." And the whole multitude, men and women, all came to work upon the house of the Lord. Now the Apostles were in the house of Karron, the ruler of the city, rejoicing at the faith of "the whole multitude. At that time the Savior took the form of a man of light and came and spake unto them: Hail, Peter and Philip, my honored Apostles! See ye not the multitudes which believe? Now therefore go forth unto them that ye may teach them the word of life. Only be not neglectful. Whatsoever ye shall ask, I will give it unto you. My peace be with you at all times." And when Jesus had said these things unto them, being in the form of a man of light, He went up into the Heavens in glory.

2 Then the faces of Peter and Philip, "the holy Apostles, shone with the glory of Jesus which He had revealed unto them. And when they came forth, the whole multitude fell at the Apostles' feet and worshiped them. But the Apostles raised them up and taught them, declaring unto them the faith of the Lord Jesus the Christ and (exhorting them) to depart from their former sins. And all the multitudes pressed upon the Apostles desiring to receive blessing at their hands, especially when they saw the glory of Our Lord Jesus the Christ which surrounded them. Now there was also a man, possessed by a demon, who cried out with "a loud voice, saying: I beseech you, holy Apostles of Christ, do not torment me. I will come out of him." Then the demon cast the man upon the ground, and after that came out of him. But Peter and Philip commanded the demon not to return unto him for ever. Then the man who was cured cast himself down at the Apostles' feet and began to kiss them.

3 Now Philip and Peter took the multitude to the waters and baptized them in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. And the Apostles said to the multitude: "Lo, the Lord hath forgiven

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Martyrdom of Philip

1 you your sins which ye committed in ignorance. Do that which is good also henceforward, that ye may receive the good things of the Kingdom of the Heavens." And they all cried out saying: "We give glory to Thee, O God of Peter and Philip, because Thou hast had compassion on us and had mercy upon us." And the Apostles consecrated for them the Church; and the whole multitude was assembled unto it in great joy and gladness while they harkened unto the word of God. Philip read unto them in the Law (and the Prophets), while Peter interpreted them unto them through (the Spirit). [The Apostles celebrate the Offering for the people and, after appointing a bishop, priests, and deacons, depart from the country.] And the men said unto him: "And where is the God Who made all these things whereof thou speakest?" The holy Apostle Philip said unto them: "He is in the Heavens and upon the earth with us, the men who do His will."

2 When the Devil perceived that the holy Apostle desired to bring back the whole multitude unto God, even the Christ Jesus our Lord, he quickly filled their hearts with his evil thoughts and wrought within them for evil. He caused them to seize the holy Apostle Philip; and they bound him meaning to put him upon a cross. And thus everyone who seized him fell blind. And the whole multitude cried out, saying: "One is the God of the holy Apostle Philip! Do not slay the holy Apostle who is come to save us all at once." Thus the whole multitude delivered the holy Apostle Philip from the hands of them who wished to slay him. He was journeying also, preaching in all the regions round about him, preaching unto them God the Word with many miracles and healing every man who was sick among them; so that the whole multitude of the city sought after him, while he taught them concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. When they brought unto him the blind, he bestowed healing upon them; when they brought unto him the lame, he cured them by the word of his mouth alone; when they brought unto him the halt, he caused them to be whole; when they brought unto him the deaf, he made them to hear; when they brought unto him the dumb, he made them speak through the power of Christ which was in him; when they brought lepers, he cleansed them through the laying-on of his hands, while he prayed to God over them; when they brought unto him men possessed with demons, he cast them out; and through the grace of our God he wrought (?) healing upon these also. In a word, he was healing every sickness and every frenzy: they were all being healed at the hands of the holy Apostle Philip.

3 Then the great men of the city were wroth when they saw those things which the holy Apostle did for them that were diseased; but more especially when they saw their beloved ones, their sons, and their daughters, and their brethren, and their companions, renouncing their worship (of idols) and believing on the Christ Jesus, the Only-Begotten and the Word of the Father. And so they assembled together, even all the great men and they who did not believe on the holy preaching of Philip. They assembled therefore in a secret place and spake shameful words with one another, saying: "Up, all of us together, that we may seize this great sorcerer who is called 'Apostle,' and lay our hands upon him and bind him to kill him. For we will not leave him alive, lest the whole city perish through his attempt. And moreover, this will be an advantage unto us, that the king will not hear that a strange man is come into our city and overthrown the heart of all the men who are therein; lest he (sc. the king) send and slay us, (asking): 'Wherefore do ye bear with him until he corrupt the whole multitude of the city that they may disobey my decree?.'"

4 And the great men of the city took one resolve together, and laid hands upon the holy Apostle Philip, and seized him, and bound him, adding blasphemous words also which they spake to his face: and they kept reviling him also with great impiety. But the holy Apostle was gentle... [Philip urges his persecutors to repent. They hang him on a cross head downwards and torment him until he dies.] (And they) "all (took counsel together) saying: Let us kindle a fire and cast his body into it, that his bones be not found any more." But while they were kindling the fire, that they might cast his body therein, lo, the Lord Jesus the Christ, for Whose Name's sake he had endured all these sufferings, sent His angel, (who) took his body out of their midst and out of their hands in the middle of the day, the whole city and the region thereof gazing after him (sc. the angel), as he rose on high in glory and honor: and he hid it (sc. the body) in a rock at Jerusalem.

5 Now when the whole multitude "saw the great marvels which were come to pass and the many great miracles of this man of God, they lifted up their voices on high to God, crying all with one cry, and saying: One is the God of the holy Apostle Philip, the faithful servant of Jesus, the Lord of them in Heaven and of them on earth, the great God Who is exalted and blessed both in Heaven and upon the earth."

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Preaching of Bartholomew in the City of the Oasis

Then they changed their raiment and took on the appearance of husbandmen and appeared before the archon and his beasts. Peter said unto him: "Hail, O Master of camels!" And the man answered: "Hail." Peter said unto him: "Thou wilt be able to do us a kindness, if thou wilt take us into the city with thee." The archon said unto him: "For what purpose goest thou into this city, to buy or to sell what?" Peter said unto him: "I wish to go into the city to sell this slave of mine." Straightway the archon descended, making his camels kneel and said: "Today is a great day for me. For, lo, for many days have I been abroad with my beasts and my servants seeking for a slave to purchase, but have not found one. Behold, now I have found what I sought." And the archon said unto Peter: "Tell me what is his craft, that I may buy him and give thee his price." Peter said unto him: "(He is) a vine-dresser; and the vines which are blighted he makes to flourish again." The archon said unto him: "It is for a skilled worker of this kind that I am seeking; for I have many vines, and I wish to put him in charge of them all."

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Martyrdom of Matthias

him and have not found him profitable." And the archon wept, saying: "What shall we do? Not only the beasts, but we ourselves twill perish of thirst in this wilderness." Then Bartholomew also wept; and he was praying inwardly without utterance, that they might not know that he was an Apostle. [Bartholomew having restored the camels to life, the caravan reaches the city. The Apostle works in the vineyard and while there cures a nobleman who had been bitten by a snake. In consequence, the people are converted and a Church is built on the vineyard where the miracle took place.]

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Martyrdom of Mark

1 [Mark is appointed to preach in Egypt, Libya, and Marmarika. The state of the inhabitants is described.] (... the people) there were uncircumcised, being idolaters, full of all uncleanness and worshipping material creatures, and building in every quarter and at the beginning of every street dwelling-places and temples of the idols. And they used to practise therein magic rites and sorcery and fornication and slaying of children. Now when he (sc. Mark) was sent forth by the Apostles, he came first to Pentapolis; for by race he was a man of that region. He preached unto them the beginning of the word of God and wrought among them great marvels and mighty works. For them that were sick he healed; the lepers he cleansed; multitudes of evil spirits he healed (sic) through the word of grace. A multitude believed on Our Lord Jesus the Christ because of him, and they brought down their idols and destroyed their groves: they received the light and were baptized in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

2 Now in that place it was revealed unto him through the Holy Spirit that he should depart unto Rakoti (Alexandria), (the city) of the Pharos. [On entering Alexandria Mark meets with and converts a certain shoemaker.] The man (believed on God) by reason of those things which Mark was speaking, when signs and wonders came to pass. He received baptism, he and all his house, together with a great multitude of that place. Now the name of that man was Anianus. So when there was a great multitude of them that believed on the Christ, the men of the city heard that "a Galilean is come hither and turneth away the sacrifices of the gods and revileth their worship." And they were seeking after him to take him and slay him, and they laid many traps for him, to slay him. But when the blessed Mark was aware of their design, he ordained Anianus as bishop, and three priests, Mélius, and Kerdonos, and Primus, and seven deacons, and eleven door-keepers for the service of the Church.

Apocryphal Acts of the Apostles: The Martyrdom of Luke

1 Again he fled and betook himself to the Pentapolis; and when he had spent there two years, he ordained there other bishops and clergy, and again went unto Rakoti. And they increased in the grace and knowledge of God. And he established for them a Church in the regions called The Cattle-Pastures in the place which is above the sea, in a great quarry, beneath a rock. And the righteous one rejoiced greatly and, bending his knees, gave glory to God. Now when a long time was passed and the Christians were multiplied, they mocked at the idols and derided the Pagans. And when the Pagans knew that he was come thither, they were filled with envy because they heard concerning the miracles which he was working. Them that were sick he healed; the lepers he cleansed; the deaf he caused to hear; unto a multitude of blind he vouchsafed sight; and he preached unto them the good tidings of salvation and grace... through Our Lord Jesus the Christ.—And they were seeking after (him) to take him, but did not find him. And they were gnashing their teeth: and in their theaters and their banquets of their idols they kept crying out speaking against him, saying: "Great are the iniquities of this wizard."

2 Now the hallowed (Feast of the Passover) took place... [Mark is at length seized and is dragged through the streets until he dies. An attempt is made to burn his body, but it is carried off by the believers.]

Texts relating to the Virgin: A Life of the Virgin

1 But when she heard these things, she cried out and said unto him: "How shall this come to pass unto me? I have not known a man at any time." So soon as the Virgin opened her mouth and spake with the angel, the Holy Spirit entered into her and filled all her members. And the angel said unto her: "A holy spirit shall come upon thee, a power of Him who is exalted shall overshadow thee. For this cause that Holy One Who shall be born of thee, shall be called the Son of God"—and the remainder of the exalted praises which he spake unto the pure Mother of God, Mary. From that day the Spirit was within her, and she was filled therewith. Her womb became as (the womb) of them who are with child, through the grace and... of the Holy Spirit. But when Joseph regarded Mary and saw her womb thus increased, he was troubled and thought that... she had conceived. He said within himself: "I am an old man and I honor... [ll. 32-35 are too imperfect for translation.]

2 These and such like things he pondered; even as the Evangelist informs us and says: "Joseph her husband being a righteous man and not wishing to make her a gazing-stock, planned to put her away privily. And while these things were in his heart, as he was sleeping, lo, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying: 'Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife; for He Whom she shall bring forth is of a holy spirit'—and the rest of all the words which the angel spake unto her. 'And Joseph arose from sleep and did according as the angel said unto him. He took Mary, his espoused wife, into his house, and knew her not.' Then God wrought within her, and the Holy Spirit increased (?) within her. And her face shone with the...full of glory, which is the grace of the Holy Spirit.

3 '...the root of David, thou hast been unto Me a place of rest. All the holy ones shall come unto thee to behold thine ineffable glory, marveling that a woman of the daughters of Sarah should be held worthy of glory of this sort. Lo, I give thee authority, O My holy Mother, that they all submit themselves unto thee, and authority... Lo Paradise... [ll. 13-17 too fragmentary for translation.]... by all the holy ones. If thou shalt have need (?) of Paradise..., all good things shall be thine—those which eye hath not seen and which have not entered into the heart of man. If I stretched forth My divine hand and took thy breast, and drank of the milk... in thee, like... [Eight lines are wholly lost.] before thy face, O My Mother. Eat and drink and delight thyself in the ineffable good things of Heaven. For lo, all the precious things of the Kingdom of Heaven are prepared for thee, O My Virgin Mother, who art perfect.'

4 Now when Mary heard of these glories from her Son, she was exceeding glad and her spirit rejoiced greatly within her. She cried out, saying: 'Who am I, even I, that I should receive all these glories after this sort? I know, O my Son, that I was held worthy to be unto Thee a resting-place upon the earth; but all these glories pass the measure of all human kind. I know, O my Lord, that Thou wast in my womb nine months, by a mystery which cannot be contemplated, even as (it is with) all women who are with child. But all the glory which I beheld today surpasses...' [Seven lines are wholly lost.]

Texts relating to the Virgin: Saints Peter and John, The Death and Assumption of the Virgin

1 The Departing out of the Body of the Lady of us all, the holy Theotokos, Mary, the very Mother of God, on the twenty-first day of Tōbi, and her holy Assumption on the sixteenth day of Mesurē; according as they were related by Peter and John, the holy Apostles of Our Lord Jesus the Christ. In the Peace of God! Amen. 2 While the Mother of God, Mary, was dwelling retired in her cell with ten holy virgins abiding with her, unto whom God was revealing great mysteries, it came to pass that, when the day of her repose, which was declared unto her by the Lord, was drawn near, in the night of the twentieth day of Tōbi she beheld a vision. She called unto the virgins who were with her; and they came unto her and said: "What hath befallen thee, O Mother of the Lord? "And she said: I have seen a vision this night, as if I saw my Son in the midst of certain little children clad in robes and with crowns of pearl upon their heads: wondrous to relate was their glory and their honor. After that I beheld Peter and John with fine raiment in their hands. The little child, who was like Jesus my Son, said unto me: 'O woman, dost thou know who I am?' But I perceived that He was my son and said unto Him: 'When I behold thee I seem to behold Jesus, my Son.' He said unto me: 'O My beloved Mother, I will not leave thee apart from Me, but will take thee to Myself, that thou mayest rest for ever.' And I said unto Him: 'What seek these little children who walk with Thee?' And He said unto me: 'These are the little children whom Herod slew, at the time when thou didst bear Me into the world, thinking that he would find Me among them.

3 For this cause do they walk with Me at all times.' And I said unto Him: 'My Lord and beloved Son...'..."he said unto me: "...O my beloved brother, remember all those things which the Lord spake. And remember that it was thou who didst rest upon His bosom: He revealed unto thee all His mysteries; there is none that knoweth them but thou and He. For thou art His chosen virgin; and as for me, He did not leave me sorrowful, when I said unto Him: My Lord and my God, [show unto me? those things which Thou hast spoken to John thy Beloved..." 4 ..."Mary and the virgins who were with her. And the holy Virgin said unto them: "What is this great disturbance which ye cause me today?" They said unto her: "O our holy Mother, we would not have come forth to this place; but in this night we heard a sound of a great trumpet which cried saying: 'Arise, haste ye to Jerusalem, unto Mary the Mother of the Christ, for the day of her departure is come.' For this cause are we all come unto thee today, O our Mother." "And she marveled greatly when she heard the chosen (?) virgins. And she said unto them: Let us go (?) to pray." When they had prayed, they were speaking unto the virgins who were with her. [And while they conversed] together, [lo, the Lord Jesus the Christ] came. [And] the [Virgin said unto Him]: "My Son…what is the will (?) of my...from Peter...guide them unto me. He said unto me...that thou mayest do it...when I (?) come...

5 "..."For the glory belongeth unto Thee with Thy good Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen." Then answered Our Lord Jesus the Christ saying: "O My Virgin Mother, all things which thou shalt ask, shall be done for thee. I say unto thee that in all places wherein My Name shall be preached throughout the whole world, when they shall build Churches in thy name, he who shall expend that which... "He who shall take care in his heart to do a good deed and write thy holy life—I will write his name in the Book of Life; and every sin which he hath committed, I will forgive him: I am the Lord. He who shall take care for My holy Gospels, or the words of My Apostles and My chosen Prophets, or the books of the holy Scriptures—I will set him in the Church [of the Congregation (?)...

6 ...[Whosoever shall give] "a crust of bread in thy name, I will requite him an hundred-fold (?) in My Kingdom. He who shall take care for the Offering, or...vessels, or a..." "... (l. 4) [she bowed?] her head down into the bosom of her Son and fell asleep on the twenty-first day of the month Tōbi, according to the good pleasure of Him Who shall come in heavenly glory. Now after all these things Our Savior said: Haste ye..."... "We sang over it (sc. the body of the Virgin) a spiritual song. But as we were going out to the tomb, it (the song) reached the heart of the chief priests. They said to one another: Come, let us slay them who carry her body and let us burn her body with fire." Now they, the lawless men, pursued after us; and we set down her body together with the bier and fied. But as for them, the Lord cast blindness upon them (all) save one of them, that he might be a witness of those things which were to happen.

7 ... "and it (the fire) destroyed the multitude, even unto the resting-place of the body of the holy Virgin. But when the Apostles saw that the Jews were retreated, they arose and came forth from the place wherein they were hiding. And when the man, whose arm was torn off, saw the Apostles, his courage returned unto him, and he besought them, saying: O my lords, have pity upon my unbelief." And he came to Peter weeping and (saying)…"every [one] whom the... He was found in... Who is... unto the rest. We also knew [...] which was come to pass... For He is the Lord of the "Greeks together with all the Christians; He unto Whom belongeth might and power and honor and glory, Christ, the Very God of the Christians, for ever and ever. Amen.

Texts relating to the Virgin: Evodius of Rome, On the Death of the Virgin; Theodosius, The Death and Assumption of the Virgin

1 (The text is too faint for accurate transcription.) "A Discourse which our thrice-blessed Father Abba Theodosius, the Archbishop of Rakoti and the Confessor (p. 1) who put on Christ, delivered. And he delivered it touching the Assumption of the Lady of us all, the pure Mother of God, Mary, which is the sixteenth day of the month Mesôrê; beginning from the Dispensation of Christ unto the End of this Holy Virgin and her pure Assumption. And he delivered this Discourse in his last year, wherein he was to fall asleep. In the Peace of God! Amen. Today is fulfilled the prophecy of the singer, David, which saith: "They shall bring in unto the King (p. 2) virgins behind her: they shall bring in unto him all her companions also." Verily, O our Father the Prophet, there is a mystery in this saying. Thou sayest: "They shall bring in unto the King virgins," implying a multitude; "behind her," implying one: "they shall bring in unto her all her companions also."

2 Moreover he saith: "Give me your devout attention and your heedful understanding, that the discourse may proceed without check. For today they bring in unto the King virgins, that is the virgin body of the Virgin and her very Soul, both together."

Theodosius: Encomium on the Archangel Michael

1 "...(They who are in Heaven hold festival because there hath been cast) out from them he who slandered (?) them—he who was the enemy of Him who created him. For this cause we (?) they) hold festival in honor of the Archangel Michael, because it was he...who conquered and humbled the proud one... speedily. And when he had brought him low, he cast him forth... (l. 4)...he came down and mastered him and bound him in chains which may not be loosed. Nor...did he leave him bound upon the earth; but it is written concerning him that [he cast him into] the lake which is full of fire and (there) he is kept until the day of the Great Judgment. [For if he (the Devil) had remained] upon the earth no flesh would have escaped his evil... But thou wilt say unto me, friend: "If the Devil was bound, why, when the Angels of God stood in the presence of the Lord, as it is written in the Book of Job, (and) in what manner did he...and how did he bring evil upon Job, since he was bound?" He saith...

2 "Harken and I [will inform thee...] Paul the...Apostle saith The servant of Satan buffeteth me..." Our good Savior spake (?) unto him saying: "Get thee behind me, Satan." But now we will not linger over this story (lit. the word) nor spend long time in speaking of him who hateth our race: let what has been said suffice (?). Rather let us return unto the Conqueror, the honored wearer of the crown, the Archangel Michael, who hath prepared (?) for us today the glorious table of the great festival which is spread for us today in the heavens and upon the earth according to the commandment, our Lord Jesus the Christ Himself, (Who is) one God, and one Lord, and one Kingdom existent in the Holy Trinity which is consubstantial for ever. Now as for us, O my beloved, since we know how great a potentate is the great Archangel, let us rejoice with him whom God hath glorified; [let us] eat of the good things which the holy Archangel Michael hath prepared for us. But thou wilt say: "Since it is a royal banquet, it befits us to hold back until they are summoned before us, who are the nobles of the Palace of the King and of his Chief Captain Michael. Afterwards let us follow them." (It is well spoken; for) as was said above, O my beloved, humility exalteth and guideth (aright). But arise (?) and follow me. Lo, the nobles have already gone in unto the banquet of Michael...

3 These are the nobles who have already taken their places. Harken attentively and I will declare them unto you:—Adam and Abel, and Seth his son; Enoch, Methuselah, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph his son; Moses, Aaron, and Joshua the son of Nun; Gideon, Barak, Samson, and Jephthah; David the King, and Solomon his son, and Hezekiah, the righteous Kings; Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, the Prophets; the Three Holy (Children), Elias and Elisha the great Prophets; Zacharias the Priest with John his son and the Twelve Apostles; Stephen the Archdeacon, the righteous old man, the Priest Simeon, and all the Martyrs. Why do I speak only of men of the earth? Nay, there are the Lord of Sabaoth and the whole host of Heaven... [But I] desire to return again unto the Palace of the holy Archangel Michael, unto the great ones...the holy men of earth that I may [inquire] of them concerning this great feast which is spread out for us today, that I may...it; to the end that today I also may "rejoice with them that do rejoice," according to the saying of the wise Solomon (sic).

4 But I will commence my task with the Father of all mankind, with him whom God made after His likeness and His image, your Father Adam. For he is the first whom I behold in the banquet hall, foremost amongst the men of earth...today. And although I am a sinner, yet I will pay him reverence with my tongue and say unto him: "Hail, my holy Father! Hail, Father of all mankind and of my holy Fathers who have been and who shall be." If I give him these three greetings which befit his glory at this festival, doubtless he will cry out like a good father to his son: "Come, let us rejoice with thee today at this great festival." And when I find boldness of speech before him, I will ask him: "My lord Father, art thou not he whom God fashioned with His own hands, whom He filled with (the glory of) His likeness and His image? Art thou not he whom God commanded, saying: 'Eat of the trees...'"

5 ...He glorified the God of the Archangel Michael. Then Dorotheos said to Theopiste: "My sister, lo God hath ordered (everything): let us prepare (the table) for the archon." For the time was come for them to go to the Synaxis; and they spread their great cushions to do honor to the archon. And they set the tables for the brethren according to the custom. (Then) they clothed themselves with white and glistening garments and went to the Synaxis in great joy. And when they were entered into the sanctuary of the Archangel Michael, they fell down upon their faces giving 'thanks unto God and saying: "Thanks be unto thee ten thousand times. We glorify thee, O Lord and the holy Archangel Michael, because Thou hast not deprived us of Thy mercy and hast not forgotten our offering, but hast declared unto us Thy loving-kindness speedily." Then after these (words) they received the (Kiss of) Peace and returned in haste. They opened the door of their house unto the brethren and busied themselves about the archon with great zeal. And when the house was full of rejoicing, they filled (it) with people and rose up and ministered unto them in great gladness in (all their) wants...

Encomium on the Archangel Gabriel; John Chrysostom, Encomium on the Prophet Elias

1 "[We have not] laid trouble upon ourselves on thy account; but, thanks be to God and the holy Archangel Michael, there is no stranger amongst all these whom thou beholdest. But they are all brethren and kinsfolk and friends of our fathers and our kindred." And while they were saying these things, the Archangel Michael was rejoicing at the perfection of their dispositions. [At Michael's bidding Dorotheos brings in the fish, which he had bought for the Archangel's entertainment, and opens it.] "He found a great bag in it secured with a seal. And Dorotheos marveled and said: What is this, my Lord, which I have so found?" The archon—that is, Michael—said unto him: "Great fishes are wont to swallow up everything which they find. Open it, that we may see what is in it." And Dorotheos said: "My Lord, how shall I open it..."...the holy Elias, he...chariots of fire. For who among you can touch the fire of this world without being burned?—much less the fire of those chariots, over which the holy Elias had power because of his purity.

2 For this cause therefore, my beloved, let us love purity, let us cast away from us uncleanness which the Lord abhors more than all (other) sins. Let love dwell among us; for love covereth a multitude of sins: let us be humble of heart, for pride of heart is the root of all evil. Let us hold fast the foundation of the right faith: so shall we [put away] defilement and..., purifying our souls and our bodies and our conscience. Let us hasten into the Oratory of that pure one, the holy Elias—he whom we [commemorate] today. Let us sing of him with spiritual songs, to the end that we may gain grace [from the Lord Jesus the Christ], that He may forgive us our sins, and that we may make ourselves worthy of His pure Body and Blood. So shall we keep the feast of the holy Elias, each one according to his ability. For he requires nothing from us beyond [our power, but only bread whereon we shall feast together with him on the day of his Commemoration. If we give] a cup of cold water according to our power, we shall make ourselves worthy of the blessing of the holy Elias, even as the widow of Sarepta in Sidonia made herself worthy of it. She also will be with us to make us worthy thereof through the prayer of the holy Elias the Tishbite, by the grace and the high power of our Lord, and our God, and our Savior, Jesus the Christ;

3 Through Whom all glory and all honor and all worship befiteth Him together with the Father and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life and Consubstantial with Him—now and at all times and for ever and ever. Amen.

Encomium on the Three Children; Miracles of Saint George

1 ... "But the holy George [appeared] to the King...saying:...this steward...for, lo,...Behold, for many days I have desired [to bring] punishment upon him, but...because of the worship of idols of Diocletian. And now, when thou art arisen in the morning, take away the keys from him and give them to another one whom the people shall choose." And when the King was arisen, he went into the topos to pray, and found all the people looking towards him with joy; because they had found a righteous King, perfect after God's own heart, like David and Solomon. And when he had prayed, he sat down; and they all showed him "and informed him concerning the steward of unrighteousness, telling him of his pitilessness towards the poor and needy, saying: We know of what sort (?) are all the things which this man hath done unto this day, but we could not speak because of the idolatry which was spread abroad over the whole earth. But now, O our Lord, that God hath sent thee unto us as a deliverer, do justice according to thy wisdom."

2 And the King declared unto all the multitude those things which the holy George had spoken unto him concerning the steward in the vision. And he sent straightway and caused them to destroy his house and his garners; and they cast him out of the topos. And they made inquiry throughout all the city and found a man...

The Martyrdoms of James the Persian and of Theodore the Stratelates

1 Redo [It came to pass that when the] 'holy man saw the Lord Jesus the Christ with His holy Angels standing by Him, while the whole place was filled with light, he feared greatly and became as a dead man. But the Savior stretched forth His hand and signed (with the cross) his whole body in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. He took away his fear from him, and said unto him: "Take courage, Theodore My chosen one, be not afraid. Rise up that I may speak with thee and show thee all those things which shall befall thee, to the end that thou mayest be strong of heart and contend in the good contest, until thou shalt receive the crown of victory and inherit the good things of the Kingdom of Heaven which I have prepared for those who shall love Me and do My will."

2 Verso "Then the holy man Theodore answered: Who art Thou, my Lord, that I see Thee with this great glory about Thee?" The Savior said unto him: "I am Jesus, thy King: I am the crown of them that take in hand to contend for My Name's sake. Dost thou not remember the day when thou wast sick? Thou didst escape death by saying in the presence of them who surrounded thee: 'Would that I also had become a martyr, to die for the name of the Christ, if perchance I might find a little loving mercy at His dreadful judgment-seat.' But now, Theodore My chosen, prepare thyself to contend for My Name's sake. I have finished preparing for thee thy dwelling in the Heavens; I have written thy name in the Book of Life." [Theodore in his sickness cries out] "... (l. 10) my Lord Jesus the Christ, deliver me that I may die for Thy holy Name in the presence of all them who are in this place." Now the great rulers of the city surrounding him... (l. 20) They spake with one another, saying: "What is this Name...able...of this great...?" But when... (plural) arrived..., that holy man saw...his vapor (sic)...

3 ...he said: "O mighty martyr,...to thee the Cross of the true Son of God, Jesus the Christ, Who came into the world to save sinners. I am the...my soul..."... (l. 4) But when it was day, he (the Governor) ordered that they should fix him (Theodore) upon a wheel. He... "Redo Verso...(l. 4) He lifted up his eyes to heaven and his (?)...unto Him Who had done good unto him. And he was saying: My God, the Ineffable, Thou Who didst...; Thou Who didst break the gates and the iron bars of [the house?] of Amenti..." "Redo Verso this healing." When she heard this, she fell down straightway, and became as one dead. And..." saying: Alas! If your father Theodore were here and saw you,...here..."

The Martyrdom of Justus the Stratelates

1 Then the Archbishop took the son of the King of the Persians and guarded him according to the command of the King Diocletian. But after certain days the King of the Persians heard that Nicomedes his son... "(Arianus cried out:) "Woe is me today more than all the princes of the earth. For the King is wroth with me and seeks to destroy my life. Therefore he hath sent unto me the great General that he may set fire to my city." Then the multitudes returned and declared unto Justus everything which had come to pass. And when he heard, he had great compassion. Then he caused them to bring paper and ink and wrote unto him (Arianus) saying: "I am Justus, the least of all men. I swear unto thee by the high power of my Lord Jesus the Christ that no harm shall happen unto thee if thou shalt deal with me according to the command of Diocletian the King."

2 So they took the letter and sought for him (cc. Arianus). They found him in a bakery, and gave him the letter. Now when he had read it, he took courage a little; and he arose and went to the place wherein was the blessed Justus. And when he saw him afar off, Arianus cast himself down and did obeisance "to him, saying: What hath befallen thee, O my Master, Lord Justus the General, that thou art come to this place?" The holy Justus said unto him: "I am sent unto thee that thou mayest torment me as it pleaseth thee and afterwards cut off my head. For I and this multitude which followeth me are Christians openly." When Arianus heard this he was greatly encouraged and straightway ordered the executioners to put to death the whole multitude. After that, he said to the blessed Justus: "Lo, I have killed all thy servants. Now, if it be thy wish, do thou thyself offer sacrifice." The blessed man said unto him: "The death of my servants is no death; but I have sent them before me to the bridechamber of the Christ." Arianus said unto him: "Be content with these words, and do sacrifice. For lo I feel shame before thee: it is not possible for me to torment thee, neither shall I be able to neglect the command of my lord the King."

3 But the blessed man said unto him: "As Jesus the Christ, my true bridegroom, liveth—He Whose General I will be from henceforward, inflict on me every torment which pleaseth thee and every form of death, and I am ready to endure them by the help of Him Who strengtheneth me, my Lord Jesus the Christ. Only fear not at all." Now when Arianus heard this his spirit grew strong within him exceedingly. And straightway he commanded that they should hang him upon the hermetarian and torment him. He caused them to pour pitch upon the instruments of torture which they applied to him. After that, he made them lay him down upon the hermetarian, and bring awls of iron, heated in the fire, and thrust them into his ears, so that the fire entered into his whole head. And again, he made them lay bare his privy parts and pour molten lead thereon.

4 But the blessed man lifted up his eyes to heaven and said: "Hear me, my Lord Jesus the Christ! I suffer even unto death. Harken unto me, Thou Who art in the glory of Thy Father; 'for Thou art my glory and my might and my strength. Send unto me Thy holy Angel, that he may strengthen me in this hour of necessity. For the victory is Thine, my Lord Jesus the Christ, together with Thy good Father and the Holy Spirit for ever. Amen.'" When he had so spoken, he looked towards his right and saw the Savior with Michael on His right hand and Gabriel on His left. And the Savior said unto him: "Fear not, Justus My chosen one, but be strong and of a good courage. I have finished preparing for thee thy throne in the Heavens, and I will set thee... in the Place of Glory." And He stretched forth His hand upon his whole body and healed his frame (?). And He strengthened him, saying: "Be not afraid, neither be dismayed at all. For the death of this world is no death but life eternal. (I swear by) the... head of My Father that since thou hast exiled thyself and suffered shame for My sake,..."

5 Ratio...king because of them, that he should declare their value. I had gold sufficient to buy thee, if I had wished, with all thy provinces. But I abandoned all these for the sake of the Kingdom of Heaven which I have chosen for myself. And now do unto me that which pleaseth thee. Fear not at all." When Arianus heard that, he was troubled and resolved to kill him, that he might depart from him. And forthwith he commanded that a mill should be brought and he made them cast him beneath...a mill-stone that they might crush him with (?) a water-wheel... (I. 24) And, lo, our Lord Jesus the Christ came down from the Heavens, having [angels round about Him: He] laid His hands...upon the [holy one?…within him. And so He brought his soul again into his body. He made the sign of the cross upon his body and said unto him: "He who hath conquered maketh thee to conquer. Be of good courage, O My chosen one, Justus. Fear not: My strength shall be with thee. I am Jesus, thy King." Now when the Savior had said these things unto him, He gave him His peace and went up into the Heavens in glory.

6 Then the multitudes, when they saw that the blessed Justus was arisen again from the dead, all cried out: "We are Christians openly: we believe on the God of the holy Justus." And straightway Arianus was wroth...when he saw the multitude following after Justus... (LI. 26-30 too fragmentary for translation.) (The multitudes cried out) "with one voice: We are Christians openly." And when Arianus saw them following after Justus, he knew that they would not sacrifice. And straightway he commanded that the blessed Justus and all the multitude should be led forth and their heads cut off. Forthwith the Savior appeared unto him (sc. Justus) and said unto him: "My true champion, verily thou hast contended! I also will cause great marvels to be wrought in the sanctuary wherein they shall lay thy body. And after thy death I will put it into the heart of a faithful man—lo, he standeth now with a multitude—to bury thy body according to thy glory and thy worth. And I will cause them to build a great martyrium for thee in a little village to south of this city and to lay thy body therein—and the name of the village is Tisi-djereht in P-halé. And I will cause many mighty works to be performed through thee by means of thy body, and in every place wherein thy name shall be uttered. And all men that are sick of any sickness or are in any stress, if they shall say in faith, 'O God of the holy Justus, help us,' I will harken unto them right soon and pity them, whether they be sick, or in prison, or in peril, or on the sea, or on the rivers, or (in danger of) murder, or (of) theft, or in any place, or in any stress: I will grant all their petitions. If a woman shall be in pangs of child-birth..."

7 (The missing folios contained the conclusion of the promises to Justus and the execution of the Saint and his companions.) Recto "But after these things there came a faithful man, even as the Lord had said unto him (sc. Justus), and embalmed his holy body properly and removed it to Tisi-djereht in P-halé. They built a martyrium over it, according to his deserving, and placed his holy body therein. For (sic) everyone who was sick with any sickness soever, if they worshiped over his body, obtained healing. Now we also, O my beloved fathers and brethren—since God hath vouchsafed unto us the gift of his pure martyrdom—after this long time let us give glory unto God the Father on the day of his glorious Commemoration, to the end that he may obtain grace for us in the presence of God, that our sins may be forgiven us by the Lover of 'Mankind, Our Lord Jesus the Christ—through Whom all glory and all honor and all worship is meet for the Father together with Him and the Holy Spirit, the Giver of Life, now and at all times and for ever and ever. Amen.

8 The blessing of the holy Justus the General be with us all evermore. Amen. Verily if thou speakest, be wise; if thou barkenest, understand. For a wise and prudent man, my son, buildeth the House of the Lord. Bless me, forgive me, make mention of me that the Lord Jesus the Christ may forgive me my sins. I am the poor one, sinful above all men who are upon the earth, and not worthy of the name by which I am called, the most mean Markur(ios), the son of Philotheos, of Pidjis. Make mention of me, that the Lord may forgive me my sins. He who shall say 'Amen,' shall also receive according to (sic) the blessing, Amen, so let it be; Amen; (Amen).

Sergius: The Martyrdom of Apa Apoli

1 (ll, 20 ff.)... prayed... (and) did not keep silence. And straightway the Lord Jesus came unto him with the holy archangels Michael and Gabriel. The Savior said unto him: "Hail, Apoli, My righteous martyr! I am with thee." And the holy Apa Apoli said: "Who art Thou, my Lord, Who art in this great glory?" And the Savior said unto him: "I am God Who came unto thee when thou wast sleeping in... I spake with thy father Justus and thy mother, saying..." (ll, 20 ff.) "... I will heal the flesh of thy body again." And straightway the Lord went up into the Heavens in great glory. And when morning was come—there was a man in Pouasti named Iskhiron (Ischyrion). This man was exceeding rich in substance; and he had two sons. And this man was wont to sit with the eparch in his house at all times while they feasted... [And while a] feast was being held in the [house of the eparch...].

2 [News is brought that the two sons of Ischyrion have been killed in the collapse of a house which they were demolishing. They are raised to life by the Saint. The eparch next attempts to burn Apa Apoli.]... the holy Apa Apoli prayed in this wise, saying: "My Lord Jesus the Christ, my Savior, harken unto my prayer! Thou Who didst harken unto the prayer of the First Man and didst restore him again to his first estate; Who didst harken unto righteous Abel and didst avenge him upon Cain; Who didst bring forth Abraham and cause him to be in a strange land and didst deliver him with Sarah, his wife; Who didst deliver Isaac in the midst of the Philistines; Who didst deliver Jacob from the hands of Esau his brother; Who didst deliver Joseph out of the hands of the woman of Egypt; Who didst give strength unto Judith so that she cut off the head of Holofernes; Who didst deliver Jonas out of the whale's belly; Who didst harken unto Susanna (and deliver her) out of the hands of the Elders; Who didst deliver the Three Holy Ones out of the midst of the fiery furnace in Babylon; Who didst deliver Daniel out of the den of lions;... aid me today, that... Jesus the King of Kings forever and 'ever.'"

3 And when he had spoken thus, the fire came forth and consumed the priests of Apollo. But the holy Apa Apoli stood up in the presence of the whole multitude, and there was no harm happened unto him. And they all cried out saying: "One is the God of the holy Apa Apoli! There is no other god save He." And straightway there sprang forth into the midst forty men and fifty women and twelve young children. And they cried out: "We are Christians openly." And Ptolomeos the eparch was wroth and ordered them to be slain with the sword. And they accomplished their martyrdom on the seventeenth day of the month Epèphi. In the Peace of God! Amen. Now it came to pass after these things that the holy Apa Apoli stood up in the presence of the eparch and said unto him: "Be ashamed, thou and thine accursed gods! My Lord Jesus the Christ hath sent His good angel and delivered me out of the midst of the fire." And Ptolomeos the eparch commanded [that he should be driven out] of the Palace and [cast] out of the city, and that the gates of Pouasti should be shut.

4 (ll. 3 ff.)... "But the holy Apa Apoli stood up and spread abroad his hands to pray, saying: My Lord Jesus the Christ, come, help me and strengthen me and grant me the means to come unto this eparch, and that I may put him to shame and his gods. For the power and the glory belong to Thee with Thy good Father and the Holy Spirit forever and ever." When he had said these things, the Savior appeared unto him with Michael and Gabriel on His right hand and on His left. And the Savior said unto him: "Hail, Apa Apoli, My chosen! Because thou hast left the perishable riches of this world, and hast cured thy passions, (and) hast followed after Me,... I will bestow on thee three crowns, one because of thy martyrdom which thou shalt accomplish, and again another because of thy virginity, and a third because of thy riches which thou hast forsaken. And now fear not: I am with thee at all times."

5 And the Lord commanded Michael "[to touch the guards of the gates?] And [they] all became as dead men. And the Savior stretched forth His hand and opened the gate: the saint entered into Poaasti. And the Savior gave him His peace and went up into the Heavens in glory. Now the holy Apa Apoli went unto Ptolomeos the eparch and cried aloud, saying: "Be ashamed, thou and thy gods! For whereas thou didst cast me out of the city and didst shut the doors, my Lord Jesus the Christ... hath opened all the gates." And the eparch was troubled, and said to them of the guard: "What shall we do with this little lad who wearies us, and will cause every man in this city to confess his God, and [will...] upon us...?" And they of the guard said: "Let us cast him into the prison until... that we may take counsel." And the holy Apa Apoli [was cast] into [a dungeon where there was] no... and no light.

6 [Christ again appears to the saint in prison. Apoli asks where his body will be buried since he is in a strange land. Christ informs him of the honor to be paid to his relics.]