The Interpretations of the Theotokias by the Patriarch John ibn Qiddis 9781463239497

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The Interpretations of the Theotokias by the Patriarch John Ibn Qiddis

Gorgias Eastern Christian Studies

53 Series Editors George Anton Kiraz István Perczel Lorenzo Perrone Samuel Rubenson

Gorgias Eastern Christian Studies brings to the scholarly world the underrepresented field of Eastern Christianity. This series consists of monographs, edited collections, texts and translations of the documents of Eastern Christianity, as well as studies of topics relevant to the world of historic Orthodoxy and early Christianity.

The Interpretations of the Theotokias by the Patriarch John Ibn Qiddis

Youhanna Nessim Youssef

gp 2020

Gorgias Press LLC, 954 River Road, Piscataway, NJ, 08854, USA www.gorgiaspress.com Copyright © 2020 by Gorgias Press LLC All rights reserved under International and Pan-American Copyright Conventions. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, scanning or otherwise without the prior written permission of Gorgias Press LLC. ‫ܗ‬

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2020

ISBN 978-1-4632-3948-0

ISSN 1539-1507

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A Cataloging-in-Publication Record is available from the Library of Congress. Printed in the United States of America

TABLE OF CONTENTS Acknowledgements................................................................................ vii Introduction .............................................................................................. 1 The Author ...................................................................................... 2 Liturgical activities of Ibn Qiddis ............................................... 11 Pastoral activities of Ibn Qiddis ................................................. 25 Literary activities of Ibn Qiddis .................................................. 33 Literary Activities During His Time .......................................... 35 The Interpretations of the Theotokias as a Literary Genre ... 35 Coptic language at his time.......................................................... 37 The manuscript ............................................................................. 38 John Ibn Qiddis or John of Naqada .......................................... 40 The Interpretations of the Theotokias: Text and Translation ........ 43 Glossary of technical terms ................................................................ 143 Bibliography .......................................................................................... 145 Index of Proper Names ...................................................................... 153 Index of Greek Words ........................................................................ 155 Index of Biblical References .............................................................. 163

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS I should like to thank all those who have helped me with the publication of this text. First of all, the President of the Saint Shenouda Society for Coptic Studies, Mr Hany N. Takla, who helped me in acquiring several significant references. I am always very well received by the staff at the Bibliothèque Nationale de France, but I usually forget to thank them for their hospitality and help. I would also like to thank my friend Gamal Hermina who provided me with a copy of the manuscript from the Coptic Museum with all the necessary authorizations. The librarians of the University of Melbourne, the Australian Catholic University, and the United Faculty of Theology, were kind enough to facilitate my work by searching for references. My friends Lisa Agaiby, Abanob Saad, and John D’Alton kindly helped me with my English. Basem Morgan helped me in typesetting and computer matters. Finally, I would like to thank the two reviewers and Gorgias Press for accepting my book for publication. This work is dedicated to Professor Pauline Allen, director and founder of the Centre for Early Christian Studies at the Australian Catholic University. Youhanna Nessim YOUSSEF

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INTRODUCTION Coptic history, especially of the early fourteenth century, is like a puzzle for which we do not possess all the pieces. In what follows, I will give an overview of relevant sources and their various interpretations. The sources can be classified under the following headings: a- Coptic Sources: Our main sources are the Book of the History of the Patriarchs, ascribed to Ibn al-Muqqafa, as well as the Patriarchal History, attributed to Yusab, bishop of Fuwwah. The Synaxarion can be considered a good source of information, and secular sources provide historical context for the events. Many of these sources paint an image of John Ibn Qiddis as a beloved patriarch of the Coptic church, and his eulogy was still being transcribed after centuries of his death. b- Islamic Sources: Valuable information is found in Islamic sources contained in the History of the Mamluk Sultans by alMufaddal Ibn Abi al-Fadail. c- Liturgical sources: In addition to these historical sources, we have ones describing the liturgical activities of Ibn Qiddis and his contemporary, Ibn Kabar. These shed additional light on Ibn Qiddis and his Interpretations of the Theotokias. d- Manuscript colophons: The colophon of the Mingana Arabic 61 Coptic 2 manuscript provides important information about Ibn Qiddis’ time. Further information is found in the Coptic Museum Biblica 12 manuscript. According to the latter, John Ibn Qiddis was known as al-Mu’tamin and he copied the book of Isaiah. e- A manuscript on the Consecration of Myron: The Paris National Library MS Arabe 100 gives an account of two Holy Myron consecration ceremonies performed by Ibn Qiddis. This manuscript also lists the participating bishops and their 1

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS dioceses. It thus sheds light on the pastoral activities of Ibn Qiddis as well as on the creation of new dioceses and disappearance of old ones. f- Contemporary Copto-Arabic literature: Knowledge of Christian literary activity in the late thirteenth and early fourteenth century Egypt adds another piece to the puzzle.

All these axes of research contribute to our understanding of Ibn Qiddis’ main work that is published in the present book. We will discuss each of these axes in detail in order to give the reader a fuller understanding of the author and his work.

THE AUTHOR

The brief, anonymous1 chapter on the life of John VIII in the Book of the History of the Patriarchs, ascribed to Ibn al-Muqqafa, gives mere few details about John’s patriarchate. He was the eightieth patriarch (1300–1320), known as Ibn Qiddis. In his day, Christians were forced to wear blue turbans, and a great earthquake took place. Ibn Qiddis also attended the funeral service of father Barsuma the Naked.2 The History of the Patriarchs,3 attributed to Yusab, bishop of Fuwwah, has this to say: ‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺑﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻟﺜﲈﻧﻮن‬

‫ﻗﺪم اول ﺷﻬﺮ ﺗﻮت ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﻒ ﺳﺒﻌﺔ ﻋﴩ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا وﻛﺎن ﰲ اﻳﺎﻣﻪ ﻟﺒﺲ اﻟﻌﲈﻳﻢ‬

‫اﻟﺰرق وﻣﺎ ﳚﺮي ﳎﺮاه وﺣﺪﺛﺖ زﻟﺰﻟﺔ ﻋﻈﻴﻤﺔ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﻒ وﺗﺴﻌﺔ ﻋﴩ ﻳﻮم اﳋﻤﻴﺲ‬ ‫ﻧﺼﻒ اﻟﻨﻬﺎر واﻗﺎم ﻫﺬا اﻻب ﻋﲆ اﻟﻜﺮﳼ ﻋﴩﻳﻦ ﺳﻨﺔ وﺛﻠﺜﺔ وﻋﴩﻳﻦ ﻳﻮم‬

‫وﺗﻨﻴﺢ راﺑﻊ ﻳﻮم ﻣﻦ ﺷﻬﺮ ﺑﻮﻧﺔ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﻒ ﺳﺘﺔ وﺛﻠﺜﲔ وﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﺗﻘﺪﻣﺘﻪ ﰲ ﺧﻼﻓﺔ‬

‫اﻻﻣﺎم اﳊﺎﻛﻢ ﺑﺎﻣﺮ اﷲ ﰲ ﳑﻠﻜﺔ اﻟﺴﻠﻄﺎن ﳏﻤﺪ اﺑﻦ ﻗﻼوون واﻟﺴﺒﺢ ﷲ داﻳﲈ اﺑﺪﻳﺎ‬

The patriarch Anba Yuanis Ibn al-Qiddis, the eightieth.

Den Heijer 1989, p. 145. Khater and Burmester 1970, pp. 134–135 (text), p. 231 (translation). 3 For this book, cf. Moawad 2006, pp. 255–270. 1 2

INTRODUCTION

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He was ordained on the 1st of Tut, 1017 AM (1300 CE), and during his days, there was the wearing of blue turbans, etc. In the year 1019 (1302 CE), there was a great earthquake on a Thursday in the middle of the day. This patriarch remained on the throne for 20 years and 23 days, and rested on the 4th of Baunah, 1036 (1320 CE). His consecration took place during the caliphate of the Imam al-Hakim Bi Amr Allah and the reign of the Sultan al-Malik al-‘Adil Mohamed Ibn Qalawūn. Praise be to God for ever and ever.4

The popular edition of the Synaxarion5 adds that John was from Minyat Bani Khasib, and was known as al-Mutaman Ibn al-Qiddis. (Prior to being elevated to the patriarchate, his name was John ibn Absal.) He became a monk in the monastery of Šahrān. According to al-Mufaddal Ibn Abi al-Fadail, Ibn Qiddis was made a hegumen for the Muallaqah church on Tuesday the 14th of Amšîr, 1016 AM (8 February 1300 CE). This means that John was a mere monk before his election to the patriarchal seat.6 Ibn Qiddis’ ordination as patriarch, then, took place in Alexandria on Sunday the 19th of Amšîr.7 Great persecution took place in the days of this shepherd. In 1301, Sultan Qalawūn issued an edict ordering all Christian employees to be fired. The edict was renewed in 1321 by the same sultan.8 Moreover, Christians were made to wear blue turbans, and the churches of Old Cairo, Cairo, and the countryside were all closed, except for a few located in monasteries, Alexandria, and other villages. During the persecution, hundreds of Christians denied Christ and converted to Islam; so much so that 450 persons were said to convert to Islam daily.9 In response, a messenger from Barcelona was sent by the king of Spain to intercede for the Christians. Subsequently, two churches were re-opened: the church of the Virgin in al-Suriani and Daoud, n.d., p. 182. The Mahabah edition, pp. 223–224. Labib 1991. 6 Burmester 1960, p. 9 (text), p. 54 (translation) 7 Blochet 1928, p. 158[664]–159[665]. This, however, is not the date given in the History of the Patriarchs. 8 Fattal 1958, p. 262. 9 Fattal 1958, p. 173. 4 5

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

Harit Zuwaylah and the Melkite church of St. Nicholas at Hammam al-Akhawayn.10 The church of Harit al-Rum remained closed for eleven years and was re-opened on the 23rd of Tut, 1311 CE.11 Ibn Qiddis was the last patriarch to dwell in the church of Abu Seifen in Old Cairo, and it was he who transferred the throne to the church of Harit Zuwaylah.12 Ibn Qiddis resided in this church from 1303 CE onwards, when a great earthquake occurred and destroyed many parts of Syria and Egypt. Ibn Kabar mentions that the patriarch made modifications to the liturgy (the Eucharist). It was also during the reign of Ibn Qiddis that Saint Barsuma, known as “the Naked” (Bin al-Tabban), died. The patriarch prayed over him on the 5th of Nasi, 1021 AM. According to Symon Semeonis (1322–1324 CE), churches were forced to close in 1320. The closure lasted for three years and ended the year Ibn Qiddis died.13 Islamic sources mention that John’s election and consecration as patriarch took place during the second reign of al-Nasir Muhammad (1299–1309 CE) and that it was quietly performed without opposition. The patriarchate of John Ibn Qiddis succeeded that of Theodosius II (1294–1300).14 Theodosius II seems to have been unpopular, and unrest began to manifest during his brief reign. This unrest is reflected in a homily delivered by Ibn Kabar on the occasion of a meeting with the patriarch.15 John Ibn Qiddis was also a contemporary of Baybars-Jashankir (1309–1310), who was followed by al-Nasir in his third reign (1310– 1341). During this period, the Copts suffered from a setback due to restrictions on their freedom imposed by a Maghribi vizier. On his way to Mecca for a Muslim pilgrimage, the vizier passed through

The emperor of Constantinople also tried to intercede for the Christians in Egypt, Blochet 1928, p. 195[701]. It is noteworthy to mention that the church of the Crucifixion in Jerusalem was destroyed and became a mosque. 11 Forget 1963, p. 37 12 R.-G. Coquin 1991b; Blochet 1928, pp. 38[544]–40[546], 67[573]– 73[579], 95[601]–92[602]. 13 C. Coquin 1974, p. 95. 14 Labib 1991, pp. 2241–2242. 15 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 207–209. 10

INTRODUCTION

5

Cairo.16 While riding in the city, he noticed a well-dressed person on horseback with poor folk surrounding him, asking for favours. When the vizier inquired about the dignitary, he was infuriated to learn that the individual was a Coptic Christian. The vizier went to al-Nasir and his viceroy, Salar, to protest that “infidel” Christians could occupy such high positions. As a result, the Copts suffered from the enforcement of antiquated and humiliating decrees. They were ordered to wear blue turbans and girdles and to ride donkeys instead of horses. In a similar vein, Jews were required to wear yellow turbans. The patriarch and the chief rabbi were summoned to the court and both were ordered to enforce these regulations in their respective congregations. The Maghribi vizier also tried to convince the local authorities to destroy churches, but his attempts failed because the chief justice issued a special juridical verdict (fatwa). According to the verdict, the Covenant of ‘Umar had specified that only newly built churches could be demolished, whereas older ones had to be protected. The chief justice in question was Taqi al-Din Muhammad ibn Daqiq al-‘Abd, a Muslim whose ancestors were Islamized Copts.17 Yet the verdict did not stop a Muslim mob from mounting frequent attacks on the churches. In 1303 CE, Baybars abolished the custom of celebrating the relics of John of Sanhut.18 According to Maqrizi, all churches were again closed in 1316 CE and only the Muallaqah church was reopened two months later.19 John Ibn Qiddis was one of the most beloved patriarchs in the Coptic church. His eulogy, which was still being transcribed centuries after his death,20 depicts the patriarch as a saint. Here is the colophon:

‫اذﻛﺮو اﻟﻨﺎﺳﺦ اﳌﺴﻜﲔ اﳊﻘﲑ اﻟﻘﺲ ﺟﺮﺟﺲ اﻟﺒﻬﻨﺴﺎوي ﺑﻠﺪ ﹰا واﻻن ﻗﺎﻃﻦ ﺑﺎﺑﻮ‬

‫اﻟﺴﻔﲔ واﳊﻘﲑ ﺟﺮﺟﺲ ﺗﻠﻤﺬ ﻟﻠﻘﻤﺺ ﺑﺮﺳﻮم ﺧﺎدم اﺑﻮ اﻟﺴﻴﻔﲔ ﺑﴬب اﻟﺒﺤﺮ‬ El-Leithy 2006, pp. 106–108. Quatremère 1845, Vol. 2, pp. 179–180. 18 Meinardus 1970, p. 172, Viaud 1979, p. 10. Lutfi 1998, pp. 254–281. 19 C. Coquin 1974, p. 68. 20 Cf. Abd El Shahid 2005, pp. 71–72, Number 425 (6509). 16 17

‫‪THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS‬‬

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‫ﺑﺤﺎرة اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك ﺑﻤﴫ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﻤﺔ واﻟﺸﻜﺮ ﷲ داﻳﲈ اﺑﺪﻳﺎ اﻣﲔ‬ ‫ﰲ ︦ⲍ ﺷﻬﺮ ﻣﴪ￯ ﺳﻨﺔ ︦ⲑ︦ⲩ︦ⲁ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا‬

‫‪Remember the poor, humble scribe, Girgis (George), originally‬‬ ‫‪from Behnasa and now dwelling in (the church) of Abû Seifen.‬‬ ‫‪The humble Girgis, the disciple of hegumen Barsûm, the minis‬‬‫‪ter of Abû Seifen, (located) in the street of the river21 in the lane‬‬ ‫‪of the patriarch in Misr al-Qadîmah (Old Cairo). Thanks be to‬‬ ‫!‪God for ever and ever, Amen‬‬

‫‪On the 7th of the month of Misrâ, in the year 1409 of the martyrs‬‬ ‫‪(= 1693 CE).‬‬

‫‪And here is the text of the eulogy itself:‬‬ ‫ﺑﺴﻢ اﻻب واﻻﺑﻦ واﻟﺮوح اﻟﻘﺪس اﻻﻟﻪ اﻟﻮاﺣﺪ‬

‫ﻣﺮﺛﻴﺔ ﻗﺮﻳﺔ ﻋﲆ اﻻب اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮاﻧﺲ اﺑﻦ ﻣﻴﺴﺎك اﻟﺜﲈﻧﲔ ﰲ ﻋﺪاد اﻟﺒﻄﺎرﻛﺔ‬ ‫‪22‬‬

‫ﺳﻨﺔ ﺳﺘﺔ وﺛﻼﺛﲔ واﻟﻒ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺴﻨﺔ اﳊﺎدﻳﺔ واﻟﻌﴩون ﻣﻦ ﺑﻄﺮﻳﺮﻛﺘﻪ وﻗﺪ ﻛﻤﻞ ﰲ‬ ‫اﻟﺮﻳﺎﺳﺔ ﻋﴩون ﺳﻨﺔ وﺛﻠﺜﺔ اﺷﻬﺮ وﻧﺼﻒ ﺑﺮﻛﺎﺗﻪ ﺗﻜﻮن ﻣﻌﻨﺎ اﻣﲔ‬

‫اﳌﺠﺪ ﷲ اﻟﻪ اﻻﺣﻴﺎء واﻻﻣﻮات اﳌﺘﴫف ﺑﺴﻠﻄﺎن ﻗﺪرﺗﻪ ﰲ اﻟﺴﻤﻮات واﻻرض‬ ‫اﳌﻤﺠﺪ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻜﺮاﳼ واﳌﺮاﺗﺐ واﻟﻄﻐﲈت اﳌﻘﺪس ﻣﻦ اﻟﺸﺎروﺑﻴﻢ واﻟﺴﺎراﻓﻴﻢ‬ ‫واﻟﺼﻔﻮف واﻟﻘﻮات راﻓﻊ ﻧﻔﻮس اﻻﺑﺮار اﱃ ﳏﻞ اﻟﻨﻮر* وﻧﺎﻗﻠﻬﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻋﺎﱂ اﻟﺰوال‬

‫اﱃ ﻋﺎﱂ اﻻﺳﺘﻘﺮار وﻣﻨﻮﳍﺎ ﻣﻮاﻋﻴﺪه اﻟﺼﺎدﻗﺔ ﰲ ﻧﻌﻴﻤﻪ اﻟﺬي ﻻ ﲣﻄﺮ ﻋﲆ اﻻﻓﻜﺎر‬ ‫وﻣﻌﻮﺿﻬﺎ ﻋﻦ اﻟﻔﺎﻧﻴﺎت ﰲ ﻫﺬا اﻟﺪﻫﺮ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﺎﻗﻴﺎت اﱃ اﻻﺑﺎد واﻻدﻫﺎر‪ .‬ﻟﻪ اﳌﺠﺪ ﰲ‬

‫اﻻﻧﺎء واﻻوﻗﺎت واﻻﺻﺎل واﻻﺳﺤﺎر وﻻﺑﻨﻪ اﻟﻮﺣﻴﺪ اﻟﺬي ﴎ ان ﻳﻜﻮن رﻳﻴﺲ‬ ‫اﺣﺒﺎر اﳋﲑات اﳌﻨﺘﻈﺮة ﻛﲈ ﻗﺎل ﻟﺴﺎن اﻟﻌﻄﺮ اﻟﻔﺎﻳﻖ ﺑﻮﻟﺲ اﳌﺨﺘﺎر وﺟﻌﻞ ﻟﻨﺎ ﻋﲆ‬ ‫ﻣﺜﺎل ﻃﻘﺴﺔ اﺣﺒﺎر ﳜﺪﻣﻮﻧﺔ ورووﺳﺎ اﺣﺒﺎر وﻟﺮوح ﻗﺪﺳﻪ اﻟﺒﺎرﻗﻠﻴﻂ اﳌﻌﺰي ﻣﻘﺴﻢ‬ ‫”‪Lit. “the sea.‬‬ ‫ﻗﺮﻳﺖ ‪Read:‬‬

‫‪21‬‬ ‫‪22‬‬

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‫‪INTRODUCTION‬‬ ‫اﳌﻮاﻫﺐ اﻟﺮوﺣﺎﻧﻴﺔ ﻋﲆ رﺳﻠﻪ اﻻﻃﻬﺎر* ﻛﺎﻟﺴﻨﺔ واﻟﺬي ﺟﻌﻞ ﺑﻴﻌﺘﻪ اﳌﻘﺪﺳﺔ‬ ‫ﻛﻤﺜﺎل اﻟﺴﲈء ﰲ ﻃﻘﻮﺳﻬﺎ واﻗﺎم اﻟﻜﻬﻨﺔ ﻣﻨﲑﻳﻦ ﻛﺎﻟﻜﻮاﻛﺐ ورووﺳﺎﳞﻢ ﻣﻘﺎم‬

‫ﺷﻤﻮﺳﻬﺎ وﻛﻤﻞ ﺗﺮﺗﻴﺐ ﻧﻈﺎﻣﻬﺎ وﻧﻈﺎم ﺗﺮﺗﻴﺒﻬﺎ وﲨﻞ ﺗﺎدﻳﺐ اوﺿﺎﻋﻬﺎ واوﺿﺎع‬

‫ﺗﺎدﻳﺒﻬﺎ واﻗﺎم ﻟﻘﻄﻌﺎﻧﻪ اﻟﻨﺎﻃﻘﺔ ﺣﺮاﺳﺎ ﻣﺘﻴﻘﻈﺔ ﳊﲈﻳﺘﻬﺎ وﺣﻴﺎﻃﺘﻬﺎ ﻣﺜﺒﺘﺎ ﻟﻪ ﳊﻔﻈﻬﺎ‬

‫ﻣﻦ اﻟﺪﻳﺎب اﳋﺎﻃﻔﺔ وﺻﻴﺎﻧﺘﻬﺎ وﻣﺪﺑﺮﻳﻦ ﻳﺮﻋﻮن ﻛﺒﺎﺷﻪ ﰲ اﳌﺮوج اﳌﺨﺼﺒﺔ‬

‫وﻳﻮردﻫﻢ ﻣﻮارد اﳊﻴﺎة اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﻨﻔﻊ اﻟﴬ￯ وﺗﺮو￯ اﻟﻐﻠﺔ وﻳﻌﺪوﳖﻢ اﻻﻏﺬﻳﺔ‬

‫اﻟﺼﺎﳊﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺸﺪ* اﻟﻘﻮ￯ اﳌﻨﺤﻠﺔ وﻳﺪاوﳞﻢ ﺑﺎﻻدوﻳﺔ اﻟﺸﺎﻓﻴﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﺗﺸﻔﻲ‬ ‫اﻟﻨﻔﻮس اﳌﺘﻌﻠﺔ وﻳﺮدوﳖﻢ ﻣﺎ اﺧﺬوه ﻣﻦ رﺑﻨﺎ ﻟﻪ اﳌﺠﺪ ورﺳﻠﻪ وﻳﺎﻣﺮﳖﻢ ﺑﲈ اﻣﺮه ﺑﻪ‬

‫ﻗﻮاﻧﻴﻨﻬﻢ اﻻﺑﺴﻄﻠﻴﺔ وﻣﺎ ﳖﺘﻢ ﻋﻦ ﻓﻌﻠﻪ وﻳﻄﻠﺒﻮن ﳍﻢ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺮب ﺟﻞ ذﻛﺮه ﺣﻞ‬

‫رﺑﺎط اﳋﻄﺎﻳﺎ وﻳﻠﺘﻤﺴﻮن ﳍﻢ ﻣﻦ ﻛﺮﻣﺔ اﻓﺎﺿﺖ اﳌﻮاﻫﺐ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻠﺔ واﻟﻌﻄﺎﻳﺎ‬ ‫وﻳﻘﻄﻌﻮن ﺑﻜﻠﻤﺔ اﳊﻖ ﺑﺎﺳﺘﻘﺎﻣﺔ وﻳﺼﻨﻌﻮن ﺑﻴﻨﻬﻢ اﻟﺼﻠﺢ واﻟﺴﻼم ﺛﻢ اذا ﻛﻤﻞ‬

‫اﺣﺪﻫﻢ ﺳﻌﻴﻪ اﳌﺴﺘﻘﻴﻢ وﻧﻘﻠﻪ اﻟﺮب اﱃ ﻓﺮدوس اﻟﻨﻌﻴﻢ ﻟﻴﺴﱰﻳﺢ ﻣﻦ اﻻﺛﻘﺎل‬ ‫وﻳﺘﻨﻌﻢ ﺑﺬﻟﻚ اﻻﻧﺘﻘﺎل ﰲ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ * اﻟﺬي ﻳﻌﻠﻢ رﺑﻨﺎ ان اﳌﺼﻠﺤﺔ ﻟﻠﻤﻨﺘﻘﻞ ﻓﻴﻪ ﺑﺎﻃﻨﻪ‬

‫واﳋﲑة ﻟﻪ ﰲ ﻣﻄﺎوﻧﺔ ﻛﺎﻣﻨﺔ ﻓﺎﻋﺎﱂ اﳋﻔﻴﺎت وﺳﺒﺤﺎﻧﺔ اﳉﺎﻟﺲ ﻋﲆ اﻟﻜﺎروﺑﻴﻢ‬ ‫وﻳﻨﻈﺮ اﱃ اﻟﺴﻔﻠﻴﺎت وﻟﻦ ﻳﻘﺘﻔﻲ اﺣﺪ اﺣﻜﺎﻣﻪ اﻟﺒﺎﻫﺮة وﻻ ﻳﺪرك اﺛﺎره اﻟﻐﺎﻣﻀﺔ‬

‫ﻋﻦ اﻟﻌﻘﻮل اﻟﻨﲑة وﻛﻞ اﻋﲈﻟﻪ ﻣﻔﻌﻮﻟﻪ ﺑﺎﳊﻜﻤﺔ اﻟﺘﻲ ﻋﺪت اﻻﻓﻬﺎم ﻋﻦ ادراﻛﻬﺎ‬

‫ﻗﺎﴏه وﻗﺪ ﻋﻠﻤﺘﻢ اﳞﺎ اﻟﺴﺎدة اﻟﺮووﺳﺎ اﻻﺧﻴﺎر واﻻﺑﺎء اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺴﻮن اﻻﺑﺮار‬

‫واﳋﻼن اﻻﺣﺒﺎ اﻻﻃﻬﺎر ﺑﻨﻲ اﻟﺒﻴﻌﺔ اﷲ اﳉﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟﺮﺳﻮﻟﻴﺔ اﳌﻮﻟﻮدﻳﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻮﻻدة‬

‫اﻟﻌﺎﻟﻴﺔ ﺑﲈء اﳌﻌﻤﻮدﻳﺔ ﺧﱪ اﻟﻠﺔ ﻳﺘﻤﻜﻢ وﻏﻔﺮ ﻟﻜﻢ اﺛﻤﻜﻢ واﻧﺎر ﺑﺎﴍاق روح ﻗﺪﺳﺔ‬

‫ﻓﻬﻤﻜﻢ ﻻن اﺑﻴﻨﺎ اﻟﺴﻴﺪ اﻻب* اﻟﻌﺎﱂ اﻟﻌﺎﻣﻞ اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻞ اﻟﻜﺎﻣﻞ اﳌﺎﻫﺮ اﻟﺒﺎﻫﺮ‬

‫اﻟﻜﻮﻛﺐ اﻟﺰاﻫﺮ ﻣﻌﻠﻢ اﻟﺒﻴﻌﺔ وﻣﺼﺒﺎح اﻟﴩﻳﻌﺔ اب اﻻﺑﺎء ورﺋﻴﺲ اﻟﺮووﺳﺎ ﺛﺎﻟﺚ‬ ‫ﻋﴩ اﻟﺮﺳﻞ اﳊﻮارﻳﻮن وﺧﺎﻣﺲ اﻻﻧﺠﻴﻠﻴﻮن اﻟﺒﴩﻳﻦ اﻟﻌﻈﻴﻢ ﰲ اﻟﺒﻄﺎرﻛﺔ‬

‫اﳌﻀﺎﻫﻲ ﺳﲑت اﳌﻼﻳﻜﺔ اﻧﺒﺎ ﻓﻼن ﺑﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﳌﺪﻳﻨﺔ ﻟﻌﻈﻤﻰ اﻻﺳﻜﻨﺪرﻳﺔ واﻟﺪﻳﺎر‬

‫اﳌﴫﻳﺔ واﻟﺒﻼد اﻟﻐﺮﺑﻴﺔ واﳊﺒﺸﺔ واﻟﻨﻮﺑﺔ وﻣﺎ اﺷﺘﻤﻠﺖ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ اﻟﺘﻠﻤﺬة اﳌﺮﻗﺼﻴﺔ ذوا‬

‫‪THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS‬‬ ‫اﻟﻠﺴﺎن اﳊﻠﻮ واﻟﻜﻬﻨﻮﰐ واﳌﻨﻄﻖ اﻟﻌﺬب واﻟﺪاوودي واﻟﺘﻌﻠﻴﻢ اﻟﺒﺪﻳﻊ اﻟﻼﻫﻮﰐ‬

‫اﻗﺎﻣﻪ اﻟﺮب ﺧﻠﻴﻔﺔ ﻋﲆ * ﻛﻨﻴﺴﺔ وراﻋﻴﺎ ﻋﲆ راﻋﻴﺘﻪ ﻓﺼﺎر ﻓﻴﻬﻢ ﺳﲑة ﳑﺘﺪﺣﺔ‬ ‫واﻧﺰﳍﻢ اﺛﺎرا ﻣﺼﻠﺤﺔ واﻣﺘﺤﻦ ﻣﻦ اﻻﻧﻄﻼق ﻓﺼﱪ وﺟﺮت ﰲ ﺷﻌﺒﻪ وﺑﻴﻌﺔ‬

‫اﺻﻌﺐ اﻟﺘﺠﺮﺑﺎت ﻓﻘﻮي ﻓﻴﻬﺎ وﺷﻜﺮ وﺿﻴﻖ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﻋﻠﻴﻬﻢ ﻓﺘﻠﻘﻰ ذﻟﻚ اﻟﻀﻴﻖ‬

‫ﺑﺴﻌﺔ ﺻﺪره وﱂ ﻳﻔﺘﻮره اﻟﺼﺨﺮة وﺗﻮﻛﻞ ﻋﲆ اﻟﺮب ﻓﺎﻋﺎﻧﻪ وﲤﺴﻚ ﺑﺮﺟﺎﺋﻪ ﻓﺼﺎﻧﻪ‬

‫وﺗﻮﺳﻞ اﻟﻴﻪ ﻓﺎﺻﻔﻰ ﻣﻦ اﻟﻜﺪر زﻣﺎﻧﻪ واﻗﺎم ﻟﻪ ارﻛﺎن ﻳﻌﻀﺪوﻧﻪ ﻓﺸﻴﺪ ارﻛﺎﻧﻪ‬

‫وﺗﺪارك ﻣﺴﺎﻛﲔ ﺷﻌﺒﻪ ورﲪﻬﻢ وﻋﻄﻒ ﻋﻠﻴﻬﻢ ﻗﻠﻮب اﳌﻮﻟﻴﲔ ﻻﻣﻮرﻫﻢ وﻓﺘﺢ‬

‫اﺑﻮاب اﻟﻜﻨﺎﺋﺲ واوﺳﻊ اﻟﻌﻨﺎﻳﺔ ﺑﺎﻻﻳﺎس ﻣﻨﻬﻢ واﻟﻴﺎﺑﺲ ﺑﻄﻠﺒﺎت* ﻫﺬا اﻻب‬ ‫وﺻﻠﻮاﺗﻪ وﻧﻴﺘﻪ اﻟﺬي ] [ـﻊ اﻟﺮب ﻋﻠﻴﻬﺎ ﰲ ﺧﻠﻮاﺗﻪ ﺛﻢ اﻧﻪ ﻛﺎن ﺑﻌﻴﺪا ﻋﻦ اﻟﺸﺒﻬﺎت‬

‫ﻣﻨﺰﻫﺎ ﻋﲆ اﳌﻜﺮوﻫﺎت ﻣﺘﻔﺎﺿﻼ ﰲ اﻟﺼﺎﳊﺎت ﻣﺘﺤﺮز ﰲ ﺗﻄﻬﲑ اﻟﴩﻃﻮﻧﻴﺎت‬ ‫ﻟﺘﻜﻮن ﻣﻦ ﻏﺮوﺳﻪ اﻟﺬي ﻳﺰرﻋﻬﺎ ﰲ ﺑﻴﻌﺔ اﷲ ﻇﺎﻫﺮات اﻟﺜﻤﺮات ﳏﺎﻓﻈﺎ ﻋﲆ ﻗﻮاﻧﲔ‬ ‫رﻫﺒﺎﻧﻴﺘﻪ ﻋﺎﳌﺎ ﺑﻔﺮاﻳﺾ ﺻﻠﻮاﺗﻪ وﻧﻮاﻣﻴﺲ ﻓﻔﻠﺴﻔﺔ ﻣﻔﺮﻃﺎ ﰲ اﻟﺒﺸﺎﺷﺔ واﳌﺤﺒﺔ‬

‫واﳋﺼﻼت اﳌﺴﺘﺤﺴﻨﺔ واﳌﺴﺘﺤﺒﺔ وﳌﺎ اﻛﻤﻞ اﻟﻮﻗﺖ اﻟﺬي وﻗﺘﻪ ﺑﻪ اﻟﺮب اﺳﺘﺪﻋﺎه‬ ‫ﻓﺎﻧﻄﻠﻖ اﻟﻴﻪ واﺳﻨﺪﻧﺎ ﻓﺒﺎدر ﻟﻠﻘﺪوم ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﻫﺎ ﻫﻮذا ﻗﺪ ﺻﺎر ﰲ ﲨﻠﺔ اﳌﻨﺘﻘﻠﲔ *‬

‫وﳊﻖ اﻻﺑﺎء اﳌﺘﻘﺪﻣﻴﺔ واﻧﺘﻈﻢ ﰲ ﺳﻠﻚ اﻟﺒﻄﺎرﻛﺔ اﻟﺴﺎﻟﻔﲔ وﻛﻤﻞ ﰲ اﻟﻔﺎﻳﺰﻳﻦ ﻣﻨﻬﻢ‬

‫ﻋﺪة ‪ .:.‬ﻣﻦ ﻫﺎ ﻫﻬﻨﺎ ﻳﺬﻛﺮ ﻋﺪة اﻟﺒﻄﺎرﻛﺔ وﺧﻠﻊ اﻟﺜﻮب اﻟﻔﺎﲏ‪...‬‬

‫‪In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, One‬‬ ‫!‪God‬‬

‫‪A eulogy read on the father patriarch Anba John, son of Misak,‬‬ ‫‪80th among the patriarchs, in the year 1036 (= 1320 CE), which‬‬ ‫‪is the twenty-first year of his patriarchate. His leadership lasted‬‬ ‫‪twenty years and three months and a half. May his blessings be‬‬ ‫!‪with us. Amen‬‬

‫‪Glory be to God of the living and the dead who rules with the‬‬ ‫‪authority of his might in heaven and earth; who is glorified by‬‬ ‫‪the thrones and the ranks; who is hallowed by the Cherubim and‬‬ ‫‪the Seraphim, the choirs, and the hosts. He who lifts the souls‬‬ ‫‪of the righteous to the place of lights*; who transfers them from‬‬

‫‪8‬‬

INTRODUCTION the perishable world to the world of stability; granting the world according to his true promises in that paradise that no mind had imagined,23 rewarding them instead of the world from the perishable of this age to the remaining (things) for ages and generations. To him is the glory both now and ever, from the sunset to the dawns, with His Unique Son who is the high priest of the good things to come,24 as the tongue of the sublime perfume, Paul the chosen one, has said. He established for us, according to his rank, priests that minister to Him, and high priests to His Holy Spirit the Paraclete and the comforter, who distributes the spiritual gifts over His pure Apostles* as tongues. He made His holy church as a type of heaven in its ranks. He established priests shining like stars and their leaders like their suns. He perfected the arrangement of its structure, as well as the structure of its arrangement, he adorned the discipline of its condition and the condition of its discipline.

He instituted, for His rational flocks, an awaking guard for their protection, surrounding and confirming them so as to safeguard them to preserve them from the pouncing wolves, and restoring them. And [He established] leaders to pasture his flock to the green pastures and by the water of life, he reared them25 which safeguarding them from harm and watered the crops and prepared them as goodly food that will fortify the weakened forced, treat them with the healing medications which cure the sick souls and make them return, by what they took from our Lord—to Him is the Glory— and His Apostles. And by what he ordered them with the Apostolic canons and what we should do and what beseech from the Lord—may his mention be elevated—on their behalf—to loosen the bonds of the sins, and they ask for them from His generosity which overflowed from the good gifts and grants explaining the word with straightforwardness and in consolation and peace. Then, when he accomplished his straight race, the Lord transferred him to the paradise of Joy to rest from the heavy weight he had carried and enjoy by

1 Cor 2:9. Heb 9:11. 25 Ps 22[23]:2. 23 24

9

10

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS that transfer in the time that our Lord knows. As the one who knows the hidden things—may He be blessed—who sits on the Cherubim and looks towards the lowly—the traces of whose sublime judgements no one can follow; no one can comprehend the mysterious consequences that are beyond enlightened minds, and all his deeds are full of wisdom, which is above understanding.

You are aware, O masters, the chosen leaders, the holy righteous fathers, and beloved pure friends, the sons of the church of the universal Apostolic church, who are born from the sublime birth from the water of the baptism—the news of God (regarding) your orphan state and—let Him forgive your sins and let Him light your minds with his Holy Spirit—that our father lord, father, the servant and doer, the virtuous, perfect, the clever, brilliant, the bright star, the master of the church and the lamp of the law, the father of fathers, the leader of leaders, the thirteenth of the disciples Apostles, the fifth of the evangelist preachers, the great among the patriarchs, who is equivalent to the life of the angels, Anba … the patriarch of the great city Alexandria and of Egypt and the western cities, Ethiopia and Nubia, and all the preaching of the disciple of Mark, who has the sweet tongue, and priest and the beautiful mind, the Davidic and excellent teaching, the theologian, whom the Lord established as a successor upon His church and a shepherd on His flocks. He conducted a commendable life, he left great reforms. He was tested immediately from the start and he was patient about what happened to his people and his church in difficult temptations. He became stronger in it with thanksgiving. He was in a tough situation but accepted it with patience without complaint. He relied on the Lord, who helped him. He remained in his hope and it protected him. He was preserved. He prayed and remained pure from (all) pollution. He consolidated its corners and constructed its basis, helping the poor among his people. He had mercy and pity upon them. He made the hearts of their rulers to be compassionate over them. He opened the gates of the church and he cared about the hopeless and the miserable through the prayers of this father and his beseeching and his intention, the Lord […] in his retreats, and he was away from the suspicions and clear from distrust. He excelled in good

INTRODUCTION

11

things and was careful in the consecration (i.e., not using simony)26 to be pure in order that his plant that he cultivated in the church of God be fruitful. He respected the canons of monasticism, knowing his duties, prayers and laws. His philosophy was to be joyful and full of charity and he embodied all the other lovely and good qualities. When he completed his time, the Lord summoned him. He (the Lord) called him and he (the patriarch) hastened to go. Behold, he became one of the reposed ones and joined the predecessor fathers. He became one of the rank of the previous patriarchs and he accomplished (this race) with the winners. … Here he mentions the names of the patriarchs who took off the perishable cloth…

LITURGICAL ACTIVITIES OF IBN QIDDIS

In addition to this meager biographical data, we know that immediately after his ordination as patriarch in the Muallaqah church,27 Ibn Qiddis ordained Šams al-Riyāsah Ibn Kabar as a priest to serve in the Muallaqah church, which was the patriarchal residence. Ibn Kabar gave the first of his homilies on February 21, 1300 CE; Ibn Qiddis had been ordained just one week earlier, on February 14, 1300 CE. Ibn Qiddis’ first visit to the monasteries forewent the traditional visit to Wadi Natrun. He went to the monastery of Šahrān instead.28 It seems that this decision was motivated by security concerns, and hence we find no record of any opposition from the monks of Saint Macarius. Ibn Kabar delivered several homilies reflecting the situation of the Coptic church under the patriarch Ibn Qiddis. Among them are these homilies: ‫ﺧﻄﺐ ﻣﺘﻨﻮﻋﺔ اﻧﺸﺄﻫﺎ اﻟﻘﺲ ﺷﻤﺲ اﻟﺮﻳﺎﺳﺔ اﺑﻦ ﻛﱪ‬

‫ﺧﻄﺒﺔ ﻗﻴﻠﺖ ﰲ ﻳﻮم اﳋﻼص اﻟﺬي ﻓﺘﺤﺖ ﻓﻴﻪ ﻛﻨﻴﺴﺔ اﳌﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﺑﻤﴫ ﺑﻌﺪ ﻏﻠﻘﻬﺎ‬

‫ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪاء‬1019 ‫وﻫﻮ اﻟﻴﻮم اﻟﺜﺎﲏ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻬﺮ ﻛﻴﻬﻚ ﺳﻨﺔ‬

26 This means that he did not sell the clerical dignity for money as some patriarchs were accused of doing. Cf. Meinardus 1991, p. 517. 27 Blochet 1928, p. 158. 28 Khalil 2000, pp. 629–655.

12

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS Various homilies delivered by the priest Shams al-Ryasah Ibn Kabar

A homily delivered on the day of salvation when the Muallaqah church in (Old-) Cairo was re-opened after its closing on the second day of the month of Kiahk in the year 1019 AM (=November 28, 1303 CE).29

‫ ﻋﻨﺪ ﻓﺘﺢ ﻛﻨﻴﺴﺔ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ ﻣﺮﻗﻮرﻳﻮس ﺑﻌﺪ ﻏﻠﻘﻬﺎ اﺛﻨﻰ‬1029 ‫ﺧﻄﺒﺔ ﻗﻴﻠﺖ ﺳﻨﺔ‬

‫ﻋﴩ ﺳﻨﺔ‬

A homily delivered in the year 1029 AM (=1313 CE) when the church of Saint Mercurius was re-opened after twelve years of forced closure.30

The homily was delivered on the 26th of Tubah (January 21, 1313 CE).

‫ﺧﻄﺒﺔ ﻋﻤﻠﺖ ﻋﻨﺪ اول اﻻﺟﺘﲈع ﻣﻊ اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﺆﻧﺲ ﺑﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ ﺑﺪﻳﺮ ﺷﻬﺮان‬

1016 ‫ﰲ اﻻﺣﺪ اﻟﺜﺎﲏ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺼﻮم ﺳﻨﺔ‬

A homily delivered during the first meeting with the patriarch Anba John Ibn al-Qiddis in the monastery of Šahrān, on the second Sunday of the Lent in the year 1016 (1300 CE).31

‫ﺧﻄﺒﺔ ﻗﻴﻠﺖ ﻋﻨﺪ ﳎﺊ ﻛﲑﻳﺲ ﻣﻠﻚ اﻟﻨﻮﺑﺔ‬

A homily delivered on the arrival of Cyrus the king of Nubia32

The date and purpose of this visit are unknown. There was another visit of a Nubian prince Qafri (commemorated on the 23rd of Kihak), who became a monk in Upper Egypt under Anastasius, perhaps in the eighth century.33

Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 195–203. Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 204–207. 31 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 210–213. 32 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 213–215. 33 Cf. also Crum 1932, pp. 137–148; and R.-G. Coquin 1991, p. 126b. 29 30

INTRODUCTION

13

The homilies for Palm Sunday,34 Maundy Thursday,35 the Feast of the Transfiguration,36 the feasts of the Apostles and Saint Mark,37 the feast of the martyrs,38 and the feasts of the women-saints,39 are not dated. They do not contain any historical data. The homily for the Feast of Pentecost is dated to the year 1019 AM (1303 CE).40 There is a homily to be read during the consecration of bishops, showing that such consecrations were frequent. This is also supported by a comparison between the lists of bishops attending the Myron ceremony.41 In addition to these, there is also the fourth homily of the first Sunday of Kihak, delivered by Ibn Kabar in the presence of Anba John Ibn Qiddis, (perhaps in the same year, after the re-opening of the Muallaqah church).42 The fifth homily was delivered by Ibn Kabar in the years 1019 AM (1303 CE) and 1029 AM (1313 CE) on the second Sunday of Kihak in the years of the respective re-openings of the Muallaqah and Saint Mercurius churches.43 There is also a homily on the Epiphany, delivered in the year 1019 AM.44 The Book of the Lamp of Darkness by Ibn Kabar contains liturgical data concerning pastoral activities of Ibn Qiddis. In Chapter XV concerning the consecration of the baptistery we read: ‫ﻗﺎل اﻻب اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻞ اﻟﺮﺋﻴﺲ ﺟﺎﻣﻊ ﻫﺬا اﻟﻜﺘﺎب ﻧﻴﺢ اﷲ ﻧﻔﺴﻪ ﻗﺪ ﺣﴬت ﻣﻊ اﻟﺴﻴﺪ‬

‫اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ ﻧﻴﺢ اﷲ ﻧﻔﺴﻪ رﺷﻢ اﳌﻌﻤﻮدﻳﺔ ﻛﺎﻧﺖ ﻗﺪ ﻛﴪت وﺟﱪت ﻣﻦ‬ 50 ‫ﻏﲑ ﲡﺪﻳﺪ واﻟﺬي اﻋﺘﻤﺪ ﻓﻴﻬﺎ اﻟﺒﺪاﻳﺔ ﺻﻼة اﻟﺸﻜﺮ ورﻓﻊ اﻟﺒﺨﻮر وﻣﺰﻣﻮر‬

‫وﻫﺬا اﻟﻔﺼﻮل ﻓﺼﻞ ﻣﻦ اﻟﺘﻮراة‬

Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 81–88. Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 89–93 36 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 124–128. 37 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 150–152. 38 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 163–166. 39 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 166–168. 40 Habib Girgis 1914, p. 119. 41 See below. 42 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 18–20. 43 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 21–26. 44 Habib Girgis 1914, pp. 43–48. 34 35

‫‪THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS‬‬ ‫ⲟⲓⲙⲁⲑⲁⲙ ⲉ‪ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫ‬‬ ‫ⲓⲟⲙ̀ⲙ ⲓ‪ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲗⲟⲩⲧⲏⲣ ⲛ̀ϩⲙⲟⲧ. ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲟⲩⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲟⲩϣⲉⲙϣ‬‬

‫وﺗﻜﻠﻢ اﻟﺮب ﻣﻊ ﻣﻮﺳﻰ وﻗﺎل ﻟﻪ اﺻﻨﻊ ﺳﻔﻼ ﻣﻦ ﻧﺤﺎس‪ ...‬وﻳﺘﻄﻬﺮوا وﳜﺪﻣﻮﻧﻨﻲ‬

‫وﻳﻘﺮا اﻟﺒﻮﻟﺲ اﳌﺮﺗﺐ ﰲ ﻗﺪاس اﻻﻛﻠﻴﻞ وﻫﻮ ﻣﻦ اﻓﺴﺲ ‪3‬‬

‫︦ⲥ︦ⲭⲡ ⲉⲧ̀ⲛ ⲁⲉⲣⲱⲇ‪Ϯϯϩⲟ ⲉⲣⲱⲧⲉⲛ … ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡϣⲓ ⲛ̀ϯ‬‬

‫واﻧﺎ اﺳﺎﻟﻜﻢ ﻳﺎ اﺧﻮﰐ‪ ...‬ﻋﲆ ﻗﺪر ﻋﻄﻴﺔ اﳌﺴﻴﺢ‬

‫اﳌﺰﻣﻮر‬

‫ⲓⲱ‪ⲉⲕⲉⲛⲟⲩϫϧ ⲉϫ‬‬

‫اﻧﻀﺞ ﻋﲇ زوﻓﻚ ﻓﺎﻧﻘﺎ‬

‫اﻻﻧﺠﻴﻞ ﻳﻘﺮا ﻣﻦ ﻓﺼﻼن ﻣﻦ اﻻﻧﺎﺟﻴﻞ اﳌﻘﺪﺳﺔ اﺣﺪﳘﺎ ﻣﻦ ﻣﺘﻰ‬ ‫‪13:16-20‬‬

‫︦ⲥ︦ⲭⲡ ︦ⲥ︦ⲏ︦ⲓ ⲉⲡ ‪ⲉⲧⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲉⲛⲓⲥⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲕⲉⲥⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲗⲓⲡⲡⲉ… ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ‬‬

‫وﺟﺎ ﻳﺴﻮع اﱃ ﻧﻮاﺣﻲ ﻗﻴﺴﺎرﻳﺔ ﻓﻴﻠﺒﺲ‪....‬اﻧﻪ ﻳﺴﻮع اﳌﺴﻴﺢ‬

‫اﻟﻔﺼﻞ اﻻﺧﺮ ﻣﻦ ﻟﻮﻗﺎ اوﻟﻪ‬

‫ⲟⲕⲁⲧ‪ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲉ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲁϥⲙⲟⲩϣⲓ ⲉⲕⲱϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥ‬‬

‫وﳌﺎ دﺧﻞ ﳎﺘﺎز ﹰا ﻳﻄﻠﺐ‪ ...‬وﳜﻠﺺ ﻣﻦ ﻛﺎن ﺿﺎﻻ‬

‫ﺛﻢ ﻗﺎل اﻻواﳾ اﻟﺴﺒﻌﺔ واوﺷﻴﺔ واﺣﺪة واﺑﺎﻧﺎ اﻟﺬي واﻟﺘﺤﻠﻴﻞ وﻗﺎل اﻟﻠﻴﻠﻮﻳﺎ ﺑﻠﺤﻦ‬

‫اﳌﻌﻤﻮدﻳﺔ واﻟﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﻮاردة ﻛﺘﺎب اﻟﺘﻌﻤﻴﺪ ورﺷﻢ اﳌﻌﻤﻮدﻳﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﻐﺎﻟﻴﻼون واﳌﲑون‬ ‫ﰲ ﺟﻮاﻧﺒﻬﺎ واﺳﻔﻠﻬﺎ وﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﻔﺮاغ ﻗﺮاﺋﺔ اﻟﱪﻛﺔ وﻗﺎﻧﻮن ﺧﺎﲤﺔ اﻟﺼﻼة‬

‫‪“The righteous father, the president, who composed this book,‬‬ ‫‪may God give rest to his soul: ‘With patriarch Anba Yuanis, may‬‬ ‫‪God give rest to his soul, I attended the consecration of the‬‬ ‫‪baptistery, which had been broken and repaired without reno‬‬‫‪vation and what was approved in it. The beginning of the prayer‬‬ ‫‪is the prayer of Thanksgiving. Then come the offering of‬‬

‫‪14‬‬

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15

incense and Psalm 50, as well as these lectures, a Chapter from the Pentateuch: “And the Lord talked to Moses and said to him: “Prepare a laver of brass … and they purify themselves and worship Me.”45 He then read the Pauline (Epistle), which was arranged for the liturgy of the crowning, from Ephesians 3:

“I beseech you my brethren… according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”46

The Psalm:

“Purge me with hyssop”47

The Gospel: he read two sections from the holy Gospels. One was Matthew 16:13-20:

“When Jesus came into the coasts of Caeserea Philippi… He was Jesus the Christ” The other one was from Luke. Its beginning is:

“And [Jesus] entered and passed through…. to save that which was lost.”48

He then said the seven litanies and then one litany, Our Father, the absolution and Alleluia with the tune of the baptism and the troparia in the book of baptism and he [the patriarch ibn Qiddis] anointed the baptistery with the Galilleon and the Myron and the borders and the bottom. In conclusion, he read the blessing and the Canon of the end of the prayer.”49

Ibn Kabar also mentions patriarch Ibn Qiddis another time:

Exod 30:17–30. Eph 4:1–7. 47 Cf. Ps 51[50]:7–10. 48 Luke 19:1–10. 49 Mina Foundation 1998, pp. 98–99. I was unable to find this text in Paris Arabe 203 fol. 194r–195r. 45 46

16

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ‫ﺛﻢ ﺣﴬت ﻣﻌﻪ ﺑﻌﺪ ذﻟﻚ ﻋﺪم ﺗﻜﺮﻳﺰ ﻣﻌﻤﻮدﻳﺔ ﳎﺪدة ﺑﻜﻨﻴﺴﺔ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ‬

‫ ﻃﻮﺑﺔ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﻒ وﺛﻼﺛﲔ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا ﻓﻮﺿﻊ ﺳﺒﻊ ﴎج‬10 ‫ﻣﺮﻗﻮرﻳﻮس ﰲ ﻳﻮم اﻻﺣﺪ‬

‫ﻋﲆ ﺳﺒﻊ ﻣﻨﺎﻳﺮ ﺧﺰﻓﺎ وﺛﻼث ﻗﺪور ﻟﻄﻴﻔﺔ ﳑﻠﻮة ﻣﺎ وﻗﺎل اﻟﺸﺒﻬﻤﻮت ورﻓﻊ اﻟﺒﺨﻮر‬

‫ و ﻣﻦ اﻟﻨﺒﻮات واﻻﻧﺎﺟﻴﻞ‬135 ‫و‬134 ‫و‬132 ‫و‬131 ‫و‬50 ‫وﻗﺮا ﳌﺰاﻣﲑ ﻣﺰﻣﻮر‬ ‫ﻛﺎﻟﻌﺎدة وﺧﺘﻢ ﺑﺎﻟﺘﺤﻠﻴﻞ و اﻟﱪﻛﺔ‬

Then I [Ibn Kabar] attended with him [Ibn Qiddis] the consecration of a renovated baptistery in the church of saint Mercurius on Sunday, the 10th of Tubah, in the year 1030 AM [5 January 1314 CE]. He placed seven lamps on seven earthenware stands and three small pitchers filled with water. He said the Thanksgiving and offered incense, reading Psalms 50, 131, 132, 134, and 135,50 and then from the prophets and the Gospels, concluding with the absolution and the blessing.

While talking about the offering of the incense, in Chapter XVI of the book Lamp of Darkness, we find in the margin the following notes: ‫وﻛﺎن اﻟﺴﻴﺪ اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺑﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ ﻗﺮر ﻣﻊ ﲨﺎﻋﺔ ﻣﻦ ﺷﲈﻣﺴﺔ اﳌﻌﻠﻘﺔ‬

‫ﻳﻘﺮوا اﻟﺪﻛﺼﻮﻟﻮﺟﻴﺔ أﻳﺎم اﻟﺴﺒﻮت ﺧﺼﻮﺻﺎ ﰲ ﺳﺒﻮت اﻟﺼﻮم‬

“Patriarch Anba Yuanis Ibn al-Qiddis had agreed with a group of deacons of the Muallaqah to read the doxologies on Saturdays, especially on Saturdays during the fast.”51

‫وﻛﺎﻧﺖ اﻟﻌﺎدة ﰲ اﳌﻌﻠﻘﺔ وﻏﲑﻫﺎ اﻧﻪ ﻋﻨﺪ ﻓﺮاغ ﻗﺮاة اﻻﻧﺠﻴﻞ ﻳﻘﺒﻠﻪ اﻟﺸﻌﺐ اﻟﺮﺟﺎل‬

‫ﺛﻢ اﻟﻨﺴﺎ ﻓﺎﺷﺎر اﻻب اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك ﺑﺎﻋﺘﲈده ﻋﺎدة اﻻﺑﺎ اﻟﺮﻫﺒﺎن وﻫﻲ ﺗﺎﺧﲑ ﺗﻘﺒﻴﻠﻪ اﱃ‬

‫اﻧﺘﻬﺎ اﻟﺼﻼة ﻓﻴﻘﺒﻞ ﻣﻊ اﻟﺼﻠﻴﺐ واﺳﺘﻘﺮ ذﻟﻚ ﺑﺴﺎﻳﺮ اﻟﺒﻴﻊ‬

“The custom in the Muallaqah and other [churches] is that, when the Gospel reading is finished, to kiss it [the Gospel], men

Burmester 1932, pp. 235–254, and especially p. 249. Villecourt 1924, pp. 201–280, especially p. 243. Mina Foundation, p. 112. Not mentioned in Paris Arabe 203 fol. 199v.

50 51

INTRODUCTION

17

first and then the women. The patriarch52 had ordered the custom of the monks be followed; they delay the kissing of the Gospel until the end of the prayer and then kiss it [the Gospel] together with the cross. This became the custom in all the churches.”53

‫وﻛﺎن ﺑﻌﺾ اﻫﻞ ﻣﴫ ﳚﻠﺴﻮن وﻗﺖ ﻗﺮاة اﻟﻨﺒﻮات ﻓﺎﺷﺎر اﻻب اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ‬

‫ﻳﻮﻧﺲ ﺑﺎﺳﺘﻤﺮار اﻟﻮﻗﻮف ﻓﻴﻬﻢ ﺑﺤﻜﻢ اﳖﻢ ﰲ وﺳﻂ اﻟﺼﻼة‬

Some inhabitants of Old Cairo [Misr] used to sit down during the reading from the prophets. Patriarch Anba John commanded that they remain standing through the whole reading, because they are in the middle of a prayer.”54

Ibn Kabar, while talking about the Theotokias, says that “the fathers also made interpretations.” The Uppsala manuscript adds that “the best ones are those that are most ancient.”55 It is hard to understand what is meant here by the ‘fathers,’ as the context is not clear. However, Ibn Kabar specifies that these Tafasir are sung by monks. Hence, the fathers referred to could be these monks. But by ‘fathers,’ Ibn Kabar may also have meant ‘the fathers of the church,’ that is, the patriarch and the bishops. The text of Ibn Kabar in the Uppsala manuscript emphasises that the best interpretations are ancient. With this wording, Ibn Kabar intimated that he did not agree with the interpretation of his contemporary patriarch. An appendix in the Paris Arabe 203 manuscript of The Lamp of Darkness provides a list of patriarchs of the Coptic church. One of the most developed entries is the one that deals with John Ibn Qiddis:

52

Mina foundation adds: “Anba Yuanis known as Ibn al-Qiddis” ‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ‬

‫اﳌﻌﺮوف ﺑﺎﺑﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ‬

Paris Arabe 203 fol. 200r. Villecourt 1924, pp. 201–280; especially p. 223, nn. 6–7. Mina Foundation, p. 115. 54 Villecourt 1925, pp. 261–320, especially p. 268. Mina Foundation, p. 145. 55 Villecourt 1924, p. 230. 53

18

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲁ︦ⲓ︦ⲋ︦͵ ⲇ︦ ‫ ︦ⲕ ﺳﻨﺔ︦ⲅ ﺷﻬﺮ ︦ⲕ ﻳﻮم︦ⲇ︦ⲓ اﻣﺸﲑ‬،80 ‫ﻳﻮﺣﻨﺎ ﺑﻦ اﻳﺴﺎك ﻣﻦ ﻣﻨﻴﺔ ﺑﻮﻓﻴﺲ‬

ⲁ︦ⲗ︦ⲋ︦- ‫ﺑﻮوﻧﺔ‬

‫وﰲ اﻳﺎﻣﻪ اﻟﺰم اﻟﺴﻠﻄﻨﺔ اﻟﻨﺼﺎر￯ واﻟﻴﻬﻮد ﺑﴩوط ﺣﺎدﺛﺔ ﻣﻦ ﲨﻠﺘﻬﺎ ﺻﻨﻊ ﻋﲈﻳﻢ‬

‫اﻟﻨﺼﺎر￯ زرﻗﺎ واﻟﺮﻛﻮب ﻋﺮﺿﺎ ﻣﺜﻘﻼ وﻏﲑ ذﻟﻚ واﻏﻠﻘﺖ اﻟﻜﻨﺎﻳﺲ ﺑﻤﴫ‬ ‫واﻟﻘﺎﻫﺮة اوﻻ ﺛﻢ ﺳﺎﻳﺮ اﻻﻗﺎﻟﻴﻢ واﻟﺪﻳﺎر اﳌﴫﻳﺔ ﻣﺎ ﺧﻼ اﻟﺪﻳﺎرة وﻛﻨﺎﻳﺲ‬

‫اﻻﺳﻜﻨﺪرﻳﺔ وﺑﻌﺾ ﻛﻨﺎﻳﺲ اﻟﺒﻼد ووﺻﻞ رﺳﻮل اﻻﺷﻜﺮي ﺻﺎﺣﺐ ﻗﺴﻄﻨﻄﻴﻨﻴﺔ‬

‫ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻔﺎﻋﺔ ﻓﻴﻬﻢ ﻓﻔﺘﺤﺖ ﻛﻨﻴﺴﺔ اﻟﺴﻴﺪة ﺑﺎﳌﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﺑﻘﴫ اﻟﺸﻤﻊ ﺑﻤﴫ ﻟﻠﻴﻌﺎﻗﺒﺔ‬

‫وﻛﻨﻴﺴﺔ ﻣﻴﻜﺎﻳﻴﻞ ﺑﺎﳋﻂ اﳌﺬﻛﻮر ﻟﻠﻤﻠﻜﻴﺔ ﺑﻌﺪ ﺳﺘﲈﻳﺔ وﺛﻠﺚ اﻳﺎم ﻣﻦ ﻏﻠﻘﻬﺎ ﺛﻢ‬ ‫وﺻﻞ رﺳﻮل اﻟﱪﺷﻨﻮﲏ ﺑﺎﻟﺸﻔﺎﻋﺔ اﻳﻀﺎ ﻓﻔﺘﺤﺖ ﻛﻨﻴﺴﺘﺎن اﺧﺮﺗﺎن ﺑﺎﻟﻘﺎﻫﺮة‬

‫اﺣﺪﳘﺎ ﻛﻨﻴﺴﺔ اﻟﺴﺖ اﻟﺴﻴﺪة ﺑﺤﺎرة زوﻳﻠﺔ ﻟﻠﻘﺒﻂ وﻛﻨﻴﺴﺔ ﻣﺎر ﻧﻘﻮﻻ ﺑﺎﻟﺒﻨﺪﻗﺎﻳﲔ‬ ‫ﻟﻠﻤﻜﻠﻴﺔ واﻧﺘﻬﻰ اﳊﺎل اﱃ ﻫﻠﻢ ﺟﺮا واﳌﺮﺟﻮ ﻣﻦ اﷲ رﲪﺘﻪ‬

“John son of Isaac from Miniyah Bou Fis, twenty years, three months and twenty days [as patriarch], from 14 Amshir 1016 to 4 Baunah 1036 [8 February 1300–29 May 1320].

Under his pontificate, the [government of the] sultan imposed many new obligations on the Christians and Jews, including an obligation for the Christians to wear blue turbans in order to humiliate them. By this obligation, they have to ride donkeys with two knees on one side, and there are other [restrictions]. Churches were closed first in Misr [Old Cairo] and Cairo and then in all the other provinces of the Egyptian Empire, except churches in the monasteries and in Alexandria and others in the countryside.

An ambassador of Lascaris, emperor of Constantinople, arrived in order to intercede for the Christians. The Muallaqah church of our Lady in Qasr al-Šam‘, the church in Misr [Old Cairo], and the Melkite church of Michael in the same suburb were opened after six hundred and three days of closure.

Also an ambassador from the king of Barcelona arrived with an intercession. Two other churches were opened: The church of Our Lady in the suburb of Harit Zuweilah and the Melkite

INTRODUCTION

19

church of Saint Nicolas in the suburb of the Bunduqaniyin [Venetians].

This situation has remained till now. We put our hope in God!”56

Another witness to the liturgical activities of Ibn Qiddis is the Manuscript Mingana Arabic 61 Coptic 2. Here is the Colophon (fol. 253r): Ϧⲉⲛ ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛ̀ⲟⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲏⲥ ⲧⲓⲁⲛⲟⲥ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ϫⲱⲙ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲓⲁⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ϣⲉⲛ ⲉⲣⲫⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ϩⲓⲧⲟⲧϥ ⲙ̀ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲓⲟⲧⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲧ ⲡⲓ ⲙⲁⲛⲉⲥⲱⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲉⲛϩⲟⲧ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲧⲁϩⲟϥ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲉϥⲉ ⲥⲱⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲧⲟⲩⲃⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲟⲡⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲓⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥⲁⲙⲟⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ ⲙⲱⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲁ ⲉϥⲕⲉⲛⲓⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉϣⲁⲛⲟⲩϣ ⲧⲟⲩⲯⲩⲭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲥⲃⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲉⲩⲉⲛϩⲟⲧ

‫ﺑﺴﻢ اﻻب واﻻﺑﻦ‬

‫واﻟﺮوح اﻟﻘﺪس اﻟﺜﺎﻟﻮث‬

‫اﳌﻘﺪس اﳌﺴﺎوي ﻫﺬا‬ ￯‫اﳍﻨﺎ ﻧﺤﻦ اﻟﻨﺼﺎر‬ ‫ﻛﺎن ﻫﺬا اﻟﺘﺬﻛﺎر‬

‫اﻟﺼﺎﻟﺢ اﻟﺬي ﻫﻮ‬

‫ﻛﺘﺎب ﺗﻜﺮﻳﺰ اﻟﻜﻨﺎﻳﺲ‬

‫ﻣﻦ ﺟﻬﺔ‬

‫اﻻب اﻟﻔﺎﺿﻞ‬

‫اﻟﺮاﻋﻲ اﻻﻣﲔ‬

‫اﻟﺬي اﻗﺎﻣﻪ اﳌﺴﻴﺢ‬

‫ﻋﲆ ﺧﺮاﻓﻪ اﻟﻄﺎﻫﺮة‬

‫اﻟﺬي اﺷﱰاﻫﻢ ﺑﺪﻣﻪ‬

‫اﻟﻜﺮﻳﻢ ﻟﲑﻋﺎﻫﻢ ﰲ‬

‫اﳌﺮج اﳋﺼﻴﺐ‬

‫وﻳﻘﻮت ﻧﻔﻮﺳﻬﻢ‬

‫ﺑﺎﻟﺘﻌﺎﻟﻴﻢ اﻟﺼﺎدﻗﺔ‬

Paris Arabe 203, fol. 285v (292v in Coptic). Tisserant and Wiet 1923, pp. 377–378.

56

‫‪THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS‬‬ ‫وﻳﻘﻴﻢ اﻻﻧﻔﺲ‬

‫اﻟﺴﺎﻗﻄﺔ اﳌﻌﻠﻢ‬

‫اﳌﺮﺷﺪ اﳌﺴﺘﻘﻴﻢ‬ ‫ﻃﺮﻗﻪ اﻟﺴﻮر‬

‫[ﺳﺎس‬

‫[ﰲ‬

‫اﻟﺴﻬﺎم اﳌﺘﻮﻗﺪة‬ ‫ﻣﻌﺰي اﻟﻘﻠﻮب‬

‫اﻟﺮووف اﳊﻨﻮن‬

‫اﻟﻌﻈﻴﻢ ﰲ اﻟﺒﻄﺎرﻛﺔ‬ ‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﹼﻳﻮﻧﺲ ﺑﻄﺮﻳﺮك‬

‫اﻻﺳﻜﻨﺪرﻳﺔ اﻟﻪ اﻟﺴﲈء‬ ‫ﻳﺜﺒﺘﻪ ﻋﲆ ﻛﺮﺳﻴﻪ‬

‫ﺳﻨﲔ ﻛﺜﲑة‬

‫وازﻣﻨﺔ وﻳﻜﻮن‬

‫ﺷﻌﺒﻪ ﰲ ﺳﻼﻣﺔ‬

‫واﻃﲈﻧﻴﺔ وﻳﻜﻮﻧﻮا‬

‫ﺛﺎﺑﺘﲔ ﰲ اﻻﻣﺎﻧﺔ‬

‫اﻻرﺛﺪﻛﺴﻴﺔ وﳛﺴﺒﻬﻢ‬ ‫اﳌﺴﻴﺢ اﺑﺮاره‬

‫وﺻﺪﻳﻘﻴﺔ اﻟﺬﻳﻦ‬

‫ﻓﺎزوا ﺑﻤﻠﻜﻮﺗﻪ اﻣﲔ‬

‫اذﻛﺮوا اﳊﻘﲑ‬

‫‪20‬‬

‫ⲧⲉ ⲏⲭⲩⲯⲓⲛ̀ⲛ ⲟ‪ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲧⲁϩ‬‬ ‫‪ϩⲓⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϯⲥⲃⲱ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉϥ‬‬‫ⲛⲉⲧⲩⲟⲱⲥ‪ϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥ‬‬

‫‪Fol. 253v‬‬ ‫‪ϩⲓ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲡⲓⲥⲟⲃⲧ ⲉⲧⲧⲁϫ‬‬ ‫ⲏⲛ̀ⲛ ⲟⲛⲛⲉⲧⲧⲉ ⲏⲫ ⲧⲩⲟⲏⲣ‬ ‫ⲙⲉ‪ⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲕⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲫⲣⲉϥⲱϣ‬‬ ‫ⲧⲩⲟⲏⲣⲉ‪ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲥⲟⲑⲛⲉϥ ⲉⲧϭ‬‬ ‫ⲓⲡ ⲧⲏ‪ⲫⲣⲉϥⲥⲟⲗⲥⲉⲗ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓϩ‬‬ ‫ⲓⲡ ⲧ‪ⲛⲁⲏⲧ ⲛ̀ϣⲁⲛⲑⲙⲁϧ‬‬ ‫ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲥⲏⲭⲣⲁⲓⲣⲧⲁⲡ̀ⲙ ‪ⲛⲓϣϯ‬‬ ‫ⲩⲟⲭⲣⲁⲓⲣⲧⲁⲡ ︦ⲡ ⲥⲏⲛⲛⲁⲱⲓ‬ ‫ⲉⲫⲧ ⲉⲧ̀ⲛ ‪ⲁⲗⲉⲝⲁⲛⲇⲣⲓⲁ ⲫϯ‬‬ ‫ⲥⲟⲛⲟⲣⲑ‪ⲧⲁϫⲣⲟϥ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥ‬‬ ‫ⲛⲁ‪ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩ‬‬ ‫ⲱ‪ⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ ϣ‬‬ ‫ⲩⲟ ⲙⲉⲛ ⲏⲛⲏⲣⲓ‪ⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩ‬‬ ‫ⲓⲡⲱ‪ⲙⲉⲧⲥⲉⲙⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲟⲩϣ‬‬ ‫‪ⲉⲩⲧⲁϫⲣⲏⲟⲩⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲛⲁϩϯ‬‬ ‫︦ⲥ︦ⲭⲡ ⲉⲧ̀ⲛ ⲥⲟⲝⲟⲇⲟⲑⲣⲟ̀ⲛ‬ ‫ⲓⲇⲓⲛ ⲙⲉⲛ ⲓⲏⲙⲑⲓⲛ ⲙⲉⲛ ⲩⲟⲡⲟ‬ ‫ⲩⲟⲧⲉⲙ‪ⲕⲉⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩϣⲁⲛϣⲛⲓ ⲉϯ‬‬ ‫ⲛⲏⲙⲁ ⲥⲟⲥⲉⲛⲑⲉ ⲟⲣ‬ ‫ⲥⲟⲧⲥⲓⲭⲁⲗⲉⲓⲡ̀ⲙ ̀ⲓⲩⲉⲙⲁⲡⲓⲣⲁ ⲉⲕ‬

‫‪INTRODUCTION‬‬

‫‪21‬‬

‫اﻟﻌﻄﻞ اﻟﻀﻌﻴﻒ‬ ‫اﻟﺸﻘﻲ اﳋﺎﻃﻲ‬

‫ﻏﲑ اﳌﺴﺘﺤﻖ ان ﻳﺪﻋﺎ‬

‫اﻧﺴﺎﻧﺎ ﻻﺳﻴﲈ اﺳﻢ‬

‫اﻟﺮﻫﺒﻨﺔ ﺑﺪﻳﺮ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ‬

‫ﻣﺎر ﺟﺮﺟﺲ ﺑﻄﺮا وﻫﻮ‬

‫ﻳﺴﺎل ﻛﻠﻤﻦ ﻗﺮا ﻓﻴﻪ‬

‫ﺑﻤﺤﺒﺔ اﷲ ان ﻳﺪﻋﻮا‬

‫ﻟﻠﻤﺴﻴﺢ ﻣﻦ اﺟﻠﻪ ﻟﻴﻐﻔﺮ‬

‫ﻟﻪ ﺧﻄﺎﻳﺎه اﻟﻜﺜﲑة‬ ‫وﻏﻠﻄﺎﺗﻪ وﻳﻌﻄﻴﻪ‬

‫رﲪﺔ ﰲ ﻳﻮم‬

‫اﳌﺠﺎزاة وﻛﻠﻤﻦ‬

‫ﻗﺎل ﺷﻴﺎ‬

‫ﳚﺎزﻳﻪ اﳌﺴﻴﺢ ﻋﻮﺿﻪ‬ ‫اﺿﻌﺎف ﻛﺜﲑة‬ ‫ﺑﺴﻼم ﻣﻦ اﷲ‬

‫ﰲ دﻳﺮ ﻃﺮا ﰲ‬

‫ﻳﻮم اﳋﻤﻴﺲ اﳋﺎﻣﺲ‬ ‫ﻣﻦ ﺷﻬﺮ ﻫﺘﻮر‬

‫ﰲ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﻒ ارﺑﻌﺔ وﻋﴩﻳﻦ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا‬ ‫[اﻟﺴﻨﺔ اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻌﺔ‬

‫‪Fol. 254r‬‬ ‫ⲉⲗⲁⲧ̀ⲛ ⲃⲱ‪}ⲩⲇⲉⲗⲏⲥ ⲛ̀ϫ‬‬ ‫ⲉⲧⲉ ⲏⲫ ⲥⲟⲗⲁⲧⲣⲁⲙⲁ̀ⲛ ⲥⲟⲣⲱⲡ‬ ‫‪ⲛ̀ϯⲙ̀ⲡϣⲁ ⲉⲑⲣⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ‬‬ ‫ⲁⲛⲟⲙ ⲁⲧⲥⲓⲗⲁⲙ ⲓⲙⲱⲣ ⲉ‪ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫ‬‬ ‫ⲛⲟⲓⲣⲏⲧⲥⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲡ ⲓ‪ⲭⲟⲥ ⲉϥϩ‬‬ ‫ⲟ‪ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲧⲉⲧⲣⲱⲁⲥ ⲉϥϯϩ‬‬ ‫‪ⲉⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲱϣ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧϥ‬‬ ‫‪ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥ‬‬ ‫‪ⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧϥ ϩⲁ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥ‬‬ ‫‪ⲭⲱ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉϥⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲉⲧⲟϣ‬‬ ‫‪ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉϥϣⲟϥⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥ‬‬ ‫ⲩⲟⲟ‪ϯ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉϩ‬‬ ‫ⲛⲟⲩⲟ ‪ⲙ̀ⲡϯϣⲉⲃⲓⲱ ⲟⲩⲟϩ‬‬ ‫ⲓⲗ‪ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲑⲛⲁϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛ̀ϩ‬‬ ‫̀ⲛ ‪ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ϯϣⲉⲃⲓⲱ ⲛⲁϥ‬‬ ‫ⲃⲱⲕ̀ⲛ‪ϩⲁⲛⲙⲏϣ‬‬ ‫ⲏⲛⲏⲣⲓ‪ⲁϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩ‬‬ ‫ⲏⲧⲥⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲡ ⲛⲉ‪ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ϧ‬‬ ‫ⲛⲉ‪ⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲧⲉⲧⲣⲱⲁⲥ ϧ‬‬ ‫ⲣⲱⲑⲁ ⲧⲱⲃⲁⲓⲡ̀ⲙ ︦ⲉⲡ̀ⲙ ⲩⲟⲟ‪ⲡⲓⲉϩ‬‬

‫‪Fol. 254v‬‬ ‫︦ⲇ︦ⲕ︦ⲁ‪ϧⲉⲛ ⲭ︦ⲣ︦ ⳥ /‬‬

‫ⲟⲣⲫ̀ⲙ ⲙⲁⲑ‪ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲩϣ‬‬

22

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲙⲁϩ ⲍ︦ ⲛ̀ⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲟⲩϯϩⲓ ⲱⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲏⲥⲧⲓⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲥⲟⲩⲇⲁⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲥⲓⲗⲓⲟⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲉⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲧⲁⲥ ⲑⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ ⲉ̀ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲏⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲁ̀ⲙⲏⲛ

‫اﻟﻜﻨﺎﻳﺲ‬

￯‫اﻟﻨﺼﺎ[ر‬

‫اﻟﻌﲈﻳﻢ‬

‫اﻟﺰرق وﻧﺤﻦ‬

‫ﻧﻄﻠﺐ اﱃ اﳌﺴﻴﺢ اﳍﻨﺎ‬

‫ان ﻳﺘﺤﻨﻦ ﻋﲆ ﺷﻌﺒﻪ‬ ‫وﻳﻔﺘﺢ ﳍﻢ اﺑﻮاب‬

‫ﻛﻨﺎﻳﺴﻬﻢ وﻳﻌﻴﺪﻫﻢ‬

‫ﻋﲆ ﻣﺎ ﻛﺎﻧﻮا‬

‫ﻋﻠﻴﻪ ﻻﻧﻪ اﻟﻪ‬

‫ﻣﺘﺤﻨﻦ ورووف‬

‫ﻻن ﻟﻪ اﳌﺠﺪ وﻻﺑﻴﻪ‬

‫اﻟﺼﺎﻟﺢ واﻟﺮوح اﻟﻘﺪس‬ ‫اﱃ اﻻﺑﺪ اﻣﲔ‬

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Consubstantial Trinity. This is our God. We are Christians.

This good remembrance, holy is this holy book of the consecration57 by the virtuous58 father, the faithful shepherd whom Christ established over His pure sheep, whom He bought with His precious blood, in order to pasture them in the fertile garden59 and feed their souls with his honest teachings and to make their fallen souls to stand. The teacher, the guide, the one who is straight [fol. 253v] in his paths, the firm stronghold who pounds the afflicted, the quencher of the burning arrows, the 57 Coptic reads differently: “This holy book of the consecration is the good remembrance…” 58 Coptic: “most holy.” 59 Coptic: “in a fatty place.”

INTRODUCTION

23

comforter of the hearts, the compassionate, merciful, the great patriarch Abba John the 80th, patriarch of Alexandria. May God confirm him on his throne for many years and times, while his people are in peace and solemnity, in order that they become firm in the orthodox faith of Christ, so that He [Christ] counts them with the righteous and just who won the beautiful kingdom, Amen. Also remember the humble, [fol. 254r] [ ] the poor, the miserable, the sinner, who is not worthy to be called a man, much less a monk, in the monastery of Tura. He [the scribe] entreats, with the charity of God, everybody who will read it, to pray to Christ for him in order that He forgives his many sins and his mistakes, and to grant him mercy on the day of reward. And everyone who will say something, Christ will reward him many times. It was completed with the peace of God in the monastery of Tura on the 5th day of the month of Hatur [254v] in the year 1024 of the Martyrs [=1307 CE], in the seventh year of the closing down of the churches and the Christians being forced to wear the blue turbans. We pray to Christ our God to have pity upon His people and to open the gates of the churches and restore them as they were, for He is a compassionate and merciful God. Glory be to Him with His Good Father and Holy Spirit forever, Amen.

This rite60 is attested several centuries before Ibn Qiddis, for example, in the consecration of the sanctuary of Benjamin in the monastery of Macarius,61 and we have an allusion to the consecration of the sanctuary of Samuel of Kalamun in the Sahidic Antiphonarion. According to the book of the Order of Priesthood, ascribed to Severus of Ashmunien, this rite is reserved for the patriarch.62 However, bishops are also allowed to consecrate churches.63 The first manuscript is from the collection of the monastery of al-Surian and dated to 897 AM (= 1180 CE). Hence, this rite was established a long time before John Ibn Qiddis. It is important to note that this manuscript was copied when many churches were closed such as the church of For this rite cf. R.-G. Coquin 1964, pp. 149–189; MacCoull 2001, pp. 39– 50 ; Youssef 1999, pp. 511–515. 61 R.-G. Coquin 1975a. Depuydt 1993, pp. 107–112. 62 Cf. Assfalg 1955, p. 46 (text) and p. 122 (translation). 63 Cf. Mistrih 1966, pp. 158–161 (text), pp. 478–480 (translation). 60

24

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

Saint Mercurius.64 The scribe is from the monastery of Saint George Tura in the vicinity of the monastery Šahrān where John Ibn Qiddis became a monk. It seems that Ibn Qiddis was hoping that not only would the churches be re-opened but also that new churches would be built. This is confirmed by the colophon itself, which shows that Christians were forced to wear blue turbans and that churches were closed for seven years, and perhaps by an allusion to the fact that the Christians were fired from their jobs. A fragment of the rite of the consecration of the church was copied in the 13th/14th century and is preserved in the collection of manuscripts in the Hamburg State and University Library. The manuscript was originally kept in the monastery of Saint Macarius. From these four pieces of information, we can conclude that: 1. The re-consecration of the fonts in the church of Saint Mercurius in Old Cairo65 reflects the insecurity during the time of John Ibn Qiddis when the patriarch was forced to use an abridged rite for the second time in 1314 CE. This happened between the feast of the Nativity and the feast of the Epiphany, and the patriarch hurriedly tried to re-consecrate the fonts in order to perform baptism during the Epiphany (the baptism of Christ in the Eastern rites). It is important to mention that this rite took place one year after the reopening of the church of Saint Mercurius. 2. Patriarch John Ibn Qiddis always had the monastic tradition as a reference and he imposed this tradition whenever there was another one which did not conform to his own. 3. This information also reflects the interest this patriarch had in the Liturgy and hence his meditation of the Theotokias is part of it. The Lamp of Darkness mentions that the Interpretations of the Theotokias are used by the monks to spend the whole night praying;66 this information corresponds perfectly with the text published above: every part starts with a meditation taken mainly from the Psalms and is followed by a paraphrasing of the Theotokia. 4. The agreement of the doxologies took place in the Muallaqah church, the consecration of the new baptismal font in the church of Saint Mercurius, and the reading of the prophecies in a city church See above. C. Coquin 1974, pp. 12–36. 66 Villecourt 1924, pp. 201–280, especially p. 230. 64 65

INTRODUCTION

25

along with the kissing of the cross. Hence Ibn Kabar was aware of this information. However, the interpretations of the Theotokias took place in the monastery; not being an ancient tradition, Ibn Kabar did not mention their author. 5. The intercessions of the (Roman Catholic) ambassador of Barcelona and the (Greek Orthodox)67 ambassador of Constantinople on behalf of the Christians in Egypt shows the existence of ecumenical links. In fact, in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, many Christian denominations shared the same building, which helped to foster ecumenical dialogue.68 The Nubian king did not intercede for the Copts, for in 1323 the ruler of Makouria, the largest Nubian kingdom, became a Muslim in accordance with the times.69 The Ethiopian prelate of the period, being on bad terms with the authorities and the clergy, and also accused of simony, would not be able to help his church in Egypt.70 6. Even in the face of persecution and forced church closures, this patriarch remained hopeful. He consecrated the Myron and ordered the copying of the book of the consecration of churches, hoping that not only would churches be reopened but also that new churches would be built; hence the demand for copies of the book of consecration of new churches. Ibn Qiddis assigned this task to one of his colleagues from the monastery of Tura. 7. It is amazing that this patriarch also consecrated the Myron (see below) while churches were closed. After all, the Myron was used after baptism, the consecration of the churches, and the ordination of bishops, but all these activities were forbidden at the time.

PASTORAL ACTIVITIES OF IBN QIDDIS

Patriarch John Ibn Qiddis ordained a bishop for Ethiopia, who is mentioned in the life of the Ethiopian saint Takla Haymanot. This bishop, Yohannes II, was the successor (probably a direct one) of Abuna Qerelos I, and he arrived in Ethiopia just before the death of

It is important to mention that both the king of Barcelona and the emperor of Constantinople were threatened by the Muslims. 68 Youssef 1998–1999, pp. 45–54. 69 Adams 1991, pp. 1802–1804. 70 Tedeschi 1991, 1105–1044. 67

26

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

Abuna Takla Haymanot (c. 1313).71 Yohannes’ prelacy is confirmed by another text, one about the life of Basalota Mika’el.72 The Paris Manuscript Arabe 100, containing the concoction of the Myron, shows that he twice consecrated the Myron during his papacy. Manuscript Bibliothèque nationale de France, Arabe 100, Fol. 47 : ‫ﴍح ﻣﺎ ﻋﻤﻞ ﰲ ﻃﺒﻴﺦ اﳌﲑون اﳌﻘﺪس اﻟﺬي ﻃﺒﺨﻪ اﻻب اﻟﺴﻴﺪ اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ‬ ‫ ﺑﺮﻳﺔ‬:‫ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺑﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ ﻣﻜﻤﻞ ﻋﺪة اﻟﺜﲈﻧﲔ ﰲ اﻟﺴﺎدة اﻟﺒﻄﺎرﻛﺔ ﺑﺎﻟﱪﻳﺔ اﳌﻘﺪﺳﺔ‬

‫ﺷﻴﻬﺎت ﻣﻴﺰان اﻟﻘﻠﻮب ﰲ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﻒ واﺣﺪ وﻋﴩﻳﻦ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪاء اﻻﻃﻬﺎر رزﻗﻨﺎ اﷲ‬ ‫ﺻﻼﲥﻢ وﺑﺮﻛﺘﻬﻢ اﲨﻌﲔ‬

‫وﻛﲈ ﻛﺎن ﻳﻮم اﻻﺛﻨﲔ اﻟﺴﺎﺑﻊ ﻋﴩ ﻣﻦ ﺷﻬﺮ ﺑﺮﻣﻮدة ﺳﻨﺔ واﺣﺪ وﻋﴩﻳﻦ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪاء‬

‫ ﺑﺄن ﻳﻄﺒﺦ اﳌﲑون اﳌﻘﺪس‬.‫ ﺑﻌﺪ ان ﺗﻨﺠﺮوا ﻣﺮﺳﻮم ﴍﻳﻒ ﺳﻠﻄﺎﲏ‬.. ‫اﻻﻃﻬﺎر‬ ‫ورﺳﻢ ﳍﻢ ﻣﻦ ﺑﻴﺖ اﳌﺎل اﳌﻌﻤﻮر ﺑﺪﻫﻦ اﻟﺒﻠﺴﺎن ﻋﲆ ﺟﺎري اﻟﻌﺎدة‬

“An illustration of the steps taken for the concoction of the Holy Myron, which had been prepared by the father, lord, Anba John, the fulfilment of number eighty of the lord patriarchs in the holy desert, the desert of Scetis, the scale of hearts, in the year 1021 of the pure martyrs. May God grant us all their prayers for us and their blessings. When it was Monday the 27th of Barmudah in the year 1021 of the pure martyrs [22nd of April 1305 CE]… having obtained a noble decree from the sultan to prepare the myron as well as a grant from the public treasury [Bayt al-Mal; literally, ‘the house of money’] for the anointing with the balsan according to the custom…”

Fol. 36–37: ‫ذﻛﺮ ﻣﺎ اﺗﻔﻖ ﰲ ﻋﻤﻞ اﳌﲑون اﳌﻘﺪس اﳌﻌﻤﻮل ﺑﻜﻨﻴﺴﺔ اﳌﻌﻠﻘﺔ ﺑﻘﴫ اﳉﻤﻊ اﻫﺘﲈم‬

‫اﻻب اﻟﺴﻴﺪ اﳌﻜﺮم اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺑﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ ﻣﻜﻤﻞ ﻋﺪة اﻟﺜﲈﻧﲔ اﻟﺴﺎدة اﻟﺒﻄﺎرﻛﺔ‬

‫ﺑﺎﻟﻜﺮﳼ اﳌﺮﻗﴢ ﺑﺜﻐﺮ اﻻﺳﻜﻨﺪرﻳﺔ اﳌﺤﺮوس ﰲ ﺳﻨﺔ اﻟﻒ ﺳﺘﺔ وﺛﻠﺜﲔ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا‬

71 72

Budge 1906, p. 84 (text), pp. 206–207 (trans). Rossini 1962, pp. 22–23 (text) ; 1961, pp. 20–21 (trans).

INTRODUCTION

27

‫اﻻﻃﻬﺎر اﳌﻮاﻓﻖ ﻟﺴﻨﺔ ﺳﺘﺔ وﻋﴩﻳﻦ وﺳﺒﻊ ﻣﺎﻳﺔ ﻟﻠﻬﺠﺮة اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔ وﻫﻲ اﻟﺪﻓﻌﺔ‬

‫ اذ ﻗﺪ ﻣﻦ اﻻﻟﻪ ﻋﻠﻴﻪ وﻋﲆ ﺷﻌﺒﻪ ﺑﺎﻻﻣﻦ‬...‫اﻟﺜﺎﻧﻴﺔ ﻟﻄﺒﻴﺨﻪ وﷲ اﻻﻋﺎﻧﺔ ﻗﺎل‬ ‫واﻟﺴﻜﻮن واﻟﻄﲈﻧﻴﻨﺔ واﳍﺪوء اﻟﺬي ﻗﺮ ﺑﻪ اﻟﻌﻴﻮن ﻓﻬﻴﺎء ﻣﺎ ﳛﺘﺎج اﻟﻴﻪ ﻟﻄﺒﺨﻪ ﻣﻦ‬

‫اﻻﺻﻨﺎف واﻻﻃﻴﺎب واﻃﻨﺐ ﰲ اﻧﺘﺨﺎﲠﺎ ﻏﺎﻳﺔ اﻻﻃﻨﺎب‬

A record of the steps taken for the concoction of the Holy Myron in the Hanging Church (al-Mu’allaqah) in Qasr al-Gam’ by the zeal of the father, honored lord, Anba John Ibn al-Qiddis, the fulfilment of number eighty of the lords patriarchs of the Markan seat in the protected port of Alexandria, in the year 1036 of the pure martyrs, [1320 CE] which corresponds to the year 721 of the Arabic Hijra. The Myron was concocted by him for the second time. May God help us.

Fol 37:

As God had granted him and his people the security, quietness, tranquility, and peace which is delightful, he [the patriarch] prepared the things needed for the concoction from the ingredients and the aromas, and he selected them with extreme care.

It seems that the patriarchs at that time used to consecrate only a small quantity; hence John VIII felt it necessary to consecrate the Chrism in the year 1305 CE, only six years after the previous consecration, which took place during the patriarchate of Theodosius II in the church of Saint Mercurius in the year 1299.73 The text mentions that the second concoction took place in the Muallaqah church of the Virgin Mary, which was opened through the intercession of the king of Barcelona.74 A comparison between the lists of the participants in the three ceremonies shows clearly that John Ibn Qiddis ordained new bishops for new seats while some seats are not represented in the second

73 74

Evelyn-White 1932, p. 394. Cf. above.

28

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

concoction.75 In his first five years, he consecrated many bishops and changed the names of the seats.76 Myron concocted in 1299 CE under Theodosius II

Anba Peter, bishop of Shanshana Sindub and Tandata, who is the first.

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ ﺷﻨﺸﻨﺎ‬ ‫وﺳﻨﺪوب وﻃﻨﺪﺗﺎ‬

Anba John, bishop of Upper Manuf

Myron concocted in Myron concocted in 1305 CE 1320 CE77 Anba Gregory, metropolitan of Damietta

Anba Peter, bishop of Shanshana Sindub and Tandata, who is the first.

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ ﺷﻨﺸﻨﺎ‬ ‫وﺳﻨﺪوب وﻃﻨﺪﺗﺎ وﻫﻮ‬

‫اﻻرﺷﻰ‬

Anba Samuel, bishop of Menuf

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺻﻤﻮﻳﻴﻞ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﻨﻮف اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﻨﻮف‬ ‫اﻟﻌﻠﻴﺎ‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Busat and al-Barmun

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﺑﺴﺎط‬ ‫واﻟﱪﻣﻮن‬

‫ﻏﺮﻳﻐﻮرﻳﻮس ﻣﻄﺮان دﻣﻴﺎط‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Busat and al-Barmun

Anba Samuel, bishop of the Upper Menuf

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺻﻤﻮﻳﻞ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﻨﻮف‬

*(‫)اﻟﻌﻠﻴﺎ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﺑﺴﺎط‬ ‫واﻟﱪﻣﻮن‬

Munier 1943, pp. 37–39. The addition between brackets is the correction from Muyser 1944, pp. 115–176. Van Lantschoot 1932, pp. 181–234, especially pp. 230–232. This list occurs in the manuscript Arabe 100 Bibliothèque Nationale de France. 76 It is important to mention that some of the bishops present in the three lists may be more than one person. Some bishops bear the names of their predecessors; however this does not change our conclusion. 77 Cf. Simaika and ‘Abd al-Masih 1942, p. 325 (lit. 108). 75

INTRODUCTION

29

Anba John, bishop of Laqanah and Damanhur

Anba Mark, bishop of Damanhur Bohairah

‫ودﻣﻨﻬﻮر‬

*(‫)اﻟﻮﺣﺶ اﻟﺒﺤﲑة‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻟﻘﺎﻧﺔ‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Sundufah and al-Banawin

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﺻﻨﺪﻓﺎ‬ ‫واﻟﺒﻨﻮاﻧﲔ‬

Anba Peter, bishop of the Oasis and Ashmunein

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﻮاﺣﺎت‬ ‫واﻻﺷﻤﻮﻧﲔ‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Minaih Bu Fis and alKhusus

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﻨﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺑﻮﻓﻴﺲ واﳋﺼﻮص‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ دﻣﻨﻬﻮر‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Sundufah and al-Banawin

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﺻﻨﺪﻓﺎ‬ ‫واﻟﺒﻨﻮاﻧﲔ‬

Anba Peter, bishop of the Oasis and Ashmunein

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﻔﻴﻮم‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Giza and Wasim

*(‫)اﻟﺒﻨﻮاﻧﲔ‬

‫اﻟﻮاﺣﺎت واﻻﺷﻤﻮﻧﲔ‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Anba Mark, bishop of Minaih Bu Fis and al- Minaih Bu Fis and alKhusus Khusus

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﻨﻴﺔ‬ ‫ﺑﻮﻓﻴﺲ واﳋﺼﻮص‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﻨﻴﺔ ﺑﻮ‬ ‫ﻓﻴﺲ )وﻛﺮﳼ اﻧﺼﻨﺎ وﻣﺎ‬

*(‫ﻣﻌﻪ‬

Anba Athanasius (Basilius), bishop of Shutb

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ ﺷﻄﺐ‬

Anba John, bishop of Fayyum city

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﺻﻨﺪﻓﺎ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ‬

Anba John, bishop of Shutb and the city of Taha

‫وﻣﺪﻳﻨﺔ ﻃﺤﺎ‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Sundufah and al-Banawin

*(‫اﻧﺒﺎ اﺛﻨﺎﺳﻴﻮس)ﺑﺎﺳﻴﻠﻴﻮس‬

Anba John, bishop of Fayyum

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﻔﻴﻮم‬

‫اﺳﻘﻒ ﺷﻄﺐ‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Giza and Wasim

30

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ اﳉﻴﺰة‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ اﳉﻴﺰة‬

‫واوﺳﻴﻢ‬

‫)واوﺳﻴﻢ‬

Anba John, bishop of al-Bahnasa

Anba John, bishop of Bahnasa

Anba Peter, bishop of al-Kais and Ahnasia and Atfih of the East

Anba Peter, bishop of Anba Peter, bishop of al-Kais, Hnesyia and al-Kais, Hnesyia and Atfih of the East what it added to them

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﺒﻨﻬﺴﺎ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﻘﻴﺲ‬ ‫واﻫﻨﺎﺳﻴﺎ واﻃﻔﻴﺢ اﻟﴩق‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﺒﻬﻨﺴﺎ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﻘﻴﺲ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ اﻟﻘﻴﺲ‬

‫اﻟﴩﻗﻴﺔ‬

*(‫اﻟﻴﻬﺎ‬

‫واﻻﻫﻨﺎﺳﻴﺔ واﻃﻔﻴﺢ‬

Anba Menas, bishop of Qus

‫)واﻻﻫﻨﺎﺳﻴﺔ وﻣﺎ اﺿﻴﻒ‬

Anba Bimin, bishop of Kaw in the prov‫ اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﻴﻨﺎ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻗﻮص‬ince of Qus

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻤﲔ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻗﺎو )ﻣﻦ‬

*(‫اﻋﲈل ﻗﻮص‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Anba Abraam, bishop Qusqam and Qusia of Qusqam

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻗﺴﻘﺎم‬ ‫)اﻟﻘﻮﺻﻴﺔ‬

Anba John (son of the nun), bishop of Ibiyar

*(‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ )اﺑﻦ اﻟﺮاﻫﺒﺔ‬ ‫اﺳﻘﻒ اﺑﻴﺎر‬

‫اﺑﺮاام اﺳﻘﻒ ﻗﺴﻘﺎم‬

Anba Mark, bishop of the city of Ibyar

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﺪﻳﻨﺔ‬

‫اﺑﻴﺎر‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Anba Peter, bishop of al-Mahallah Sakha and Mahallah

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ اﳌﺤﻠﺔ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ ﺳﺨﺎ‬ ‫واﳌﺤﻠﺔ‬

INTRODUCTION

31

Anba Severus, bishop of Assiut

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺳﻮﻳﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ اﺳﻴﻮط‬

Anba Abraam, bishop of Melig and Atrib

‫اﻧﺒﺎ اﺑﺮام اﺳﻘﻒ ﻣﻠﻴﺞ‬ ‫واﺗﺮﻳﺐ‬

Anba Peter (Mark), bishop of Taha

Anba Peter, bishop of Taha al-A’medah and *(‫ اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس )ﻣﺮﻗﺺ‬its affiliated regions

‫اﺳﻘﻒ ﻃﺤﺎ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ ﻃﺤﺎ‬ (‫*)اﻻﻋﻤﺪة وﻣﺎ ﻣﻌﻬﺎ‬

Anba Mark, bishop of Anba Mark, bishop of Abu Tig Abu Tig

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ اﺑﻮ ﺗﻴﺞ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ اﺑﻮﺗﻴﺞ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ اﲬﻴﻢ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ‬

Anba Peter, bishop of Anba Peter, bishop of Akhmim Akhmim

Anba Basilius, bishop of Bilbis and Minyat Surd

‫)ﻛﺮﳼ(* اﲬﻴﻢ‬

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﺎﺳﻠﻴﻮس اﺳﻘﻒ‬ ‫ﺑﻠﺒﻴﺲ وﻣﻨﻴﺔ ﴎد‬

Anba Christodulos, bishop of Dendarah

‫اﻧﺒﺎ اﺧﺮﺳﺘﻮاﻃﻠﻠﻮا اﺳﻘﻒ‬ ‫دﻧﺪرة‬

Anba Michael, bishop of the protected frontier of Aswan

32

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﻴﺨﺎﻳﻴﻞ اﺳﻘﻒ‬

‫)ﺛﻐﺮ(* اﺳﻮان‬ *(‫)اﳌﺤﺮوس‬

Anba Peter, bishop of the seat of Ashmun Tanah

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﺑﻄﺮس اﺳﻘﻒ‬

*(‫)ﻛﺮﳼ‬

*(‫اﺷﻤﻮم)ﺷﻤﻮن‬

*(‫)ﻃﻨﺎح‬

Anba John, bishop of Psai

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ اﺑﺼﺎي‬

Anba Christodulos, bishop of Tanadata

‫اﻧﺒﺎ اﺧﺮﺳﻄﺎدﻟﻮ اﺳﻘﻒ‬ ‫ﻃﻨﺘﺪﺗﺎ‬

Anba Cyril, bishop of Sahgat and Minyat Ghamr

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻛﺮﻟﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ‬

*(‫ﺻﻬﺮﺟﺖ )وﻣﻨﻴﺔ ﻏﻤﺮ‬

Anba John, bishop of Isna

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ اﺳﻨﺎ‬

Anba John, bishop of Sammanud

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺳﻘﻒ ﺳﻤﻨﻮد‬

*(‫)اﻟﻐﺮﺑﻴﺔ‬

INTRODUCTION

33 Anba Mark, bishop of Qift

‫اﻧﺒﺎ ﻣﺮﻗﺺ اﺳﻘﻒ ﻗﻔﻂ‬

Some bishops had been ordained to replace bishops who had passed away during the period, such as the bishops of Ibyar and Qusqam. But we also find that many new dioceses were created while many others disappeared. The explanation is simple: in order to evade the poll tax (Jeziya), Coptic farmers moved from village to village,78 which resulted in the need to create new dioceses for pastoral care. We ought to note that in the third list, Upper Egypt is far better represented: in the previous two lists we cannot find bishops for Aswan, Isna, Qift, and Psai. This could be an indication of John Ibn Qiddis’ efforts to keep the Nubian flock Christian after the Nubian king of Makouria (which was the largest Nubian kingdom at the time) converted to Islam.79 It is important to note that the first concoction was carried out in the monastery of Saint Macarius, Scetis, and with a special grant from the Sultan.80 This may reflect an atmosphere of security in contrast to the second concoction which took place in the Muallaqah church.81 The people loved this patriarch, and for his funeral rite, Shams al-Riaysat Abu al-Barakat Ibn Kabar delivered a special sermon, which survives in a Patriarchal Library manuscript.82

LITERARY ACTIVITIES OF IBN QIDDIS

The text edited below is attributed to John Ibn Qiddis. He also composed, according to a colophon, the Psali on the Magma‘.

Levanoni 1995, p. 143. Adams 1991. 80 For the Balsan, cf. U. Zanetti 1993, pp. 21–68. 81 It is important to mention that the Myron was concocted in the Muallaqah church four times, by the patriarchs Cyril II (1078–1092), Gabriel II (1131–1145), Athanasius III (1250–1261) and John Ibn Qiddis (1300–1320) cf. C. Coquin 1974, p. 73. 82 Simaika and Abd al-Masih 1945, p. 338, Lit. 347, Number 741. 78 79

34

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

According to the colophon of the Biblica 12 manuscript, John Ibn Qiddis was also surnamed al-Mu’tamin and he copied the book of Isaiah.83 There is a manuscript with the title “Apocalypse of John in Bohairic and Arabic, written in 1345 by John B. Abi’l-Mana B. al-Qiddis.” It was purchased in 1594 by Jerom Vecchietti in Egypt. It is uncertain whether this B. Qiddis is the same individual as our author (who died 25 years before the manuscript was copied).84 It is important to mention that the monastery of Šahrān— where Ibn Qiddis was a monk—was very active at the time. According to Ibn Kabar, the liturgical traditions related to that monastery were on an equal level with those of the famous monastery of Saint Macarius. It is difficult to talk about Ibn Qiddis’ literary style. We can, however, see that his interpretations of the Theotokias are a contemplation and meditation on Jesus’ name, which is in continuation of the monastic tradition.85 His text is full of biblical and liturgical quotations, and in some stanzas, there are paraphrasings of the Theotokias. In some stanzas, John Ibn Qiddis refers to patristic literature. He quotes mainly from Cyril of Alexandria, especially his statement: “One nature of God the Word incarnate.”86 He also quotes Saint Athanasius the Apostolic, but the most astonishing quotation is the one attributed to the all-wise Heracles, who was ostensibly a disciple of Origen and became patriarch of Alexandria.87 These works clearly show the level of John’s education and his vast knowledge, as well as his mastery of the Coptic language. It seems that John Ibn Qiddis composed these interpretations as a meditation during a time of persecution; later, Mark VIII (1796–

Simaika and Abd al-Masih 1942, pp. 10–11. Volkoff 1970, p. 22, referring to Catalogo 1935, p. 26. 85 Lanne 1977, pp. 163–203. 86 It is important to mention that this formula is the common ground of the theological dialogue between Chalcedonian and non-Chalcedonian. Cf. Chaillot and Belopopsky 1998, p. 60. 87 Nothing of his literary activities is known. If this identification is correct, we will have, for the first time, a quotation of him. 83 84

INTRODUCTION

35

1809) would similarly compose Arabic hymns during the unrest following the French expedition.88

LITERARY ACTIVITIES DURING HIS TIME

During the time of John Ibn Qiddis, many Coptic authors composed encyclopedias. In addition to the already mentioned Ibn Kabar, Macarius the Canonist, a monk-priest of the monastery of Saint John Colobos in Wadi al-Natrun, compiled his great juridical work.89 Furthermore, Yuhanna Ibn Sawirus authored a book called Kitab al-‘Ilm wa-al-‘Amal (Book of Theory and Practice).90 Al-Mufaddal Ibn Abi al-Fadail wrote a history of the Mamluk Sultans from al-Malik al-Zahir to al-Nasir Ibn Qalawun, i.e., from 1260 to 1341 CE.91 As we can see, these scholarly works covered several themes such as canon law, linguistics (with the scalae), and liturgy. Moreover, several wall paintings and icons92 from the fourteenth century have survived, such as those in the monastery of St. Paul.93 The Copts of the fourteenth century succeeded in preserving their Christian culture, either in translation or by composing original works.94

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS AS A LITERARY GENRE

The Interpretations (called also Tafsir)95 of the Theotokias are a late literary genre, created in the fourteenth century. Authors who wrote these works include Sarkis and John. Others later composed

Shoucri 1991, pp. 1538–1539. R.-G. Coquin 1991a, pp. 1490–1491. 90 Graf 1948, pp. 436–437. 91 Blochet 1919, pp. 343–550; 1920, pp. 375–672; 1928, pp. 1–270 ; Graf 1948, p. 450. 92 Gabra and Skalova 2003, pp. 208–213. 93 Gabra 2002, p. 89. 94 Sidarus 2002, pp. 141–160. 95 Ishaq 1991, pp. 2198–2199. 88 89

36

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

interpretations in Arabic, among them Abu al-Sa‘ad from Abu Tig, Gabriel from Qay, and Mark VIII. In talking about the Theotokias, Ibn Kabar explained in his book: ‫وﻋﻤﻞ ﳍﺎ اﻵﺑﺎء اﳌﻌﻠﻤﻮن ﺗﻔﺎﺳﲑ ﻳﺘﻀﻤﻦ ﺑﺴﻴﻂ اﻟﻔﺎﻇﻬﺎ وﴍح ﻣﻌﺎﻧﻴﻬﺎ وﻫﻲ‬ ‫ﺗﺴﺘﻌﻤﻞ ﻋﻨﺪ اﻟﺮﻫﺒﺎن ﻟﻘﻄﻊ اﻟﻠﻴﻞ اذا ﻃﺎل وﻟﺮﻏﺒﺘﻬﻢ ﰲ اﺳﺘﻨﻔﺎذه ﺑﺎﻟﱰﺗﻴﻞ‬

‫واﻟﺘﻬﻠﻴﻞ واﻻﺑﺘﻬﺎل واﻣﺎ ﰲ اﻟﻜﻨﺎﻳﺲ اﳉﺎﻣﻌﺔ اﻟﻌﻠﲈﻧﲔ ﻓﺎﻟﺘﻮﺳﻂ ﲠﻢ اﺷﺒﻪ ﻟﻴﻼ‬

‫ﻳﻌﺮﺿﻬﻢ اﳌﻼك وﻳﻠﺤﻘﻬﻢ اﻟﻌﺠﺰ واﻟﻜﻼل وﻻﻳﻨﺘﻔﻌﻮن ﺑﺸﺊ ﻣﻦ ﻫﺬه اﻻﺣﻮال‬ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ ‫واﺟﺮدﻫﺎ اﻗﺪﻣﻬﺎ وﻣﻦ ﺣﺪﻫﺎ ﺗﻔﺴﲑ ﳐﺘﴫ اوﻟﻪ ﻣﻦ ﻳﻘﺪر ﻳﻘﻮل‬

ⲛⲁ�ⲥⲁϫⲓ

The fathers, the masters of the church, made interpretations for them [the Theotokias], which contain some of their words and an explanation of their meaning. These [interpretations] are used by the monks in order to spend long nights singing, praising, and praying. As for the catholic churches of the laymen, it is good to take a middle way lest destruction attain them, and boredom and incapacity reach them, preventing them from receiving any benefit at all. The most ancient and the easiest of these cases [of interpretations] is an explanation that begins with “Who is able to talk.”96

According to this testimony, the interpretations were well-known; however, it is amazing that Ibn Kabar did not mention the one composed by Ibn Qiddis. The reason given by Ibn Kabar conforms with the historical circumstances also given by Ibn Qiddis: “in order to spend the long nights, in singing, praising, and prayers …” As we have seen, the patriarch was forced to spend a long time in prayer during the persecution. There is a stanza in Ibn Qiddis’ interpretations that resembles the text of Ibn Kabar. This, however, may be a coincidence: Fol. ⲥ︦�[ⲋ︦] v

+ ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲱ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲟⲩⲟϩ 96

Paris Arabe 203, fol. 202v. Villecourt 1924, pp. 230–231.

INTRODUCTION

37

ϯⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲡⲉⲑⲛⲁ�ⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲡⲉⲧⲁⲓⲟ

+ What shall I call you O queen, the mother of the king, the Virgin and the mother? Who is able to talk about your honour?

We should note that Ibn Kabar is aware that some of the texts of the interpretations are ancient, which implies that there were other, more recent ones. As we have seen, Ibn Kabar was a contemporary of Ibn Qiddis. It is important to highlight the fact that the diffusion of the Interpretations of Ibn Qiddis was very limited. The manuscript of the Church’s Ordo, preserved in the Patriarchal Library and dated to 1444 CE, mentions only the Interpretations of Sarkis and John from Qaliub for the Theotokia of Saturday.97 In fact, the interpretations are sung during the month of Kihak as a preparation for the Nativity. The composers usually used the words of the Theotokia together with some praises to the Virgin Mary.

COPTIC LANGUAGE AT HIS TIME

While the Coptic language ceased to be spoken as a daily language, some texts were still being written in Coptic at the time of Ibn Qiddis. We can cite some examples. The life of Barsum the Naked was written in Sahidic dialect.98 It is important to mention that Barsum the Naked was venerated in the monastery of Šahrān, the monastery of John Ibn Qiddis. It seems that Sarkis, the author of some Coptic psalis, was also active in the fourteenth century.99 The book of the Triadon,100 which is a didactic poem in the Sahidic, glorifying the Coptic language and important personalities, was also written in 1322. Finally, many others, such as the abovementioned Ibn Kabar, wrote works in Coptic, inlcuding grammars and dictionaries.101 al-Suriani 1984, pp. 306–307. Crum 1907, pp. 135–149, 187–206. 99 Youssef 1998, pp. 383–402. 100 Kuhn 1991, pp. 1985–1986. 101 There are many references to these, the most recent ones in Sidarus 2002a, pp. 63–79; cf. ibid. 2000, pp. 265–304. 97 98

38

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

THE MANUSCRIPT

The Bohairic manuscript Copte 23, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, is the only witness to this text. It seems that other copies had existed, as in many places there are linguistic corrections and added words (such as in folio ⲧ︦ⲅ︦ r). However, this manuscript is currently the only known witness to the interpretations of Ibn-Qiddis. The actual manuscript starts at folio ⲥ︦ⲙ︦ⲁ︦ (241), which means that the missing first part may have contained the text of the Psalmody. We will give the description of Delaporte in full: 102 90 Explications des Théotokies et hymnes (Bohairique)

1v-41r Explication (ⲉⲣⲙⲏⲛⲓⲁ) des Théotokies des jours de la semaine, en ton ⲁⲇⲁⲙ, pour les dimache, lundi et mardi, en bauos pour les autres jours. 41v-53r Hymnes de réunion (ⲟⲩⲥⲩⲛⲁⲅⲱⲅⲏ) en ton ⲃⲁⲑⲟⲥ et en ton ⲁⲇⲁⲙ. 53v-55r. Psali ⲁⲓⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ … 55v-59r. Explication de la Théotokie du dimanche en ton ⲁⲇⲁⲙ 59r-59v. Psallie incomplète en ton ⲁⲇⲁⲙ : ϯⲛⲁⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲕ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲝ︦ -ⲝ︦ϛ︦ 60-66. Fragments des Théotokies.

Ms de 66 feuillets ; 25x 17 ; 24 lignes de 22à 26 lettres. D’après la note finale (66v), il fut achevé en 1364EM [1648 ap.J.C.]. Il est écrit par trois mains différentes ; à la fin de la première partie (41r) une note arabe est accompagnée de la date 1014EM [1298ap. J.C.] qui se rapporte probablement au codex sur lequel celui-ci a été copié.

Ce manuscrit est coté, au verso, de ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲁ︦ [271= feuillet 1] à ⲧ︦ⲕ︦ⲑ︦ [429 =feuillet 59] ; le feuillet 60 est coté ⲧ︦ⲗ︦ⲅ︦; 64 et 65 portent la traduction arabe. Les titres, écrits à l’encre rouge, sont accompagnés de la traduction arabe. Les alinéas sont indiqués par une majuscule, à la marge, rehaussée de rouge ou par trois traits verticaux, deux noirs séparés par un rouge . ; et f portent un point rouge dans la boucle ; les abréviations sont surmontées d’un point rouge qui traverse un trait noir horizontal ; les points de division sont

102

Delaporte 1912, p. 75, n. 90.

INTRODUCTION

39

indiqués par le signe .∫. en rouge.

Acquis par Vansleb,103 dont le cachet sur cire est emprient aux pages 12 et 66r- Regius, 3382. Invent. : Copte 23.

In many cases, folios were folded while ink was still wet. In our text we find at least four hands: • • • •

The main scribe Another regular hand using dark black ink that added corrections over the lines. Another regular hand with light black ink that added comments in Coptic and Arabic in the margin or rarely in the main text. A fourth hand that appears only in fol ⲧ︦ⲓ︦ⲁ︦ r with 6 lines in Coptic and in Arabic.

On the first page:

“Breviarium, fine, Copticum et arabicum imperfectum – Volume de 66 feuillets 24 Mai 1889”

In addition to the abovementioned hands, there are notes in Arabic at the beginning of the text that were added more recently: ‫ﻫﺬا ﻛﺘﺎب ﺗﻔﺎﺳﲑ ⲁⲓⲕⲁⲧⲓⲑ اﻻﻳﺎم اﻟﺴﺒﻌﺔ ﻓﴪﻫﻢ اﻻب اﻟﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ‬ ‫ⲱⲅⲁⲛⲏⲥⲓ واﻃﺲ‬ϫⲓ ‫ⲥⲏⲛⲛⲁⲱⲓﺑﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻻﺳﻜﻨﺪرﻳﺔ اﺑﻦ اﻟﻘﺪﻳﺲ وﻓﴪ‬

‫اﻟﺮب ﻳﺮﲪﻨﺎ ﺑﱪﻛﺔ ﺻﻼﺗﻪ اﻣﲔ‬

This is the book of the Interpretations of Theotokias104 of the seven days, which the father patriarch Anba John, patriarch of Alexandria, Ibn al-Qiddis, intrepreted. He also interpreted the Synax105 Batos. May the Lord have mercy upon us by the blessing of his prayers, Amen!”

For Vansleb, cf. Delahaye 2003, pp. 113–122. The scribe made a retroversion from Arabic to Coptic; “Theotokias” in Arabic is ‫ﺗﺬاﻛﻴﺔ‬ 105 This is a retroversion from Arabic; it should be read ⲥⲩⲛⲁⲅⲱⲅⲏ, which is memento sanctorum. 103 104

40

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

Another note in Arabic mentions the date of restoration of the manuscript ‫وﻛﺎن اﻟﻔﺮوغ ﻣﻦ رم ﻫﺬه اﻻﺑﺼﻠﻤﻮدﻳﺔ اﳌﻘﺪﺳﺔ ﰲ ﻳﻮم اﻟﺴﺒﺖ اﳌﺒﺎرك ﺳﺎﺑﻊ ﻋﴩ‬ ‫ﻣﻦ ﺷﻬﺮ ﺑﺮﻣﻬﺎت اﳌﺒﺎرك ﺳﻨﺔ ︦ⲉ︦ⲝ︦ⲧ︦ⲁ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا اﻻﻃﻬﺎر رزﻗﻨﺎ اﷲ ﺑﱪﻛﺎﲥﻢ اﳌﻮاﻓﻖ‬

‫ ﻋﺮﻳﺒﺔ واﻟﻌﺒﺪ اﳊﻘﲑ اﻟﺬﻟﻴﻞ اﻟﻐﺎرق اﳋﺎﻃﻲ اﳌﺴﻜﲔ‬1058 ‫ﻟﺸﻬﺮ رﻳﺒﻊ اﻟﺜﺎﲏ ﺳﻨﺔ‬

‫اﻟﻐﺎرق ﰲ ﺑﺤﺎر اﳋﻄﺎﻳﺎ واﻟﺬﻧﻮب اﻟﺬي ﻻ ﻳﺴﺘﺤﻖ ان ﻳﺬﻛﺮ اﺳﻤﻪ ﺑﲔ اﻟﻨﺎس ﻣﻦ‬ ‫ﻛﺜﺮة ﺧﻄﺎﻳﺎه اﻟﺬي ﻋﻠﻴﺖ ﻋﲆ راﺳﻪ ﻳﺴﺎل وﻳﺘﴬع ﻛﻠﻤﻦ ﻃﺎﻟﻊ ﰲ ﻫﺬه‬

‫اﻻﺑﺼﻠﻤﻮدﻳﺔ اﳌﻘﺪﺳﺔ ان ﻳﺪﻋﻮا ﻟﻪ ﺑﻤﻐﻔﺮة اﳋﻄﺎﻳﺎ و ﻣﻦ ﻗﺎل ﺷﻴ ﹰﺎ ﻓﻠﻪ ﻋﻮﺿﻪ واﷲ‬ ‫ﺗﻌﺎﱃ اﳍﺎدي ] [ ﺑﻦ اﺑﻮ اﳌﻨﺎ‬

The restoration of this holy psalmodia took place on the blessed Saturday, the 17th of the blessed month of Barmhàt of the year 1365 [=1649 CE] of the pure martyrs—may God grant us their blessings—which corresponds to the month Rabii II of the Arabic year 1058. The humble poor servant, who is drowned in the seas of sins and transgressions, who is not worthy to have his name mentioned among the people because of the multitude of his sins towering over his head, humbly beseeches all who read this holy psalmodya to pray for the forgiveness of his sins. Whoever utters favorably will be rewarded. The sublime God be our guide […] Ibn Abu al-Muna.

JOHN IBN QIDDIS OR JOHN OF NAQADA

According to another late note after the end of the interpretations, we read in Fol. ⲧ︦ⲓ︦ⲁ︦ r: ‫ﻛﻤﻠﺖ اﻟﺴﺒﻌﺔ ﺗﻔﺎﺳﲑ اﻟﺬي ﻟﻠﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺣﺪ اﻻﺧﻮﻳﻦ ﺑﺴﻼم ﻣﻦ اﻟﺮب‬ ‫اﻣﲔ‬

‫ﰲ اﻟﻴﻮم اﻟﺜﻠﺚ ﻣﻦ اﻣﺸﲑ واﻟﺴﺒﺢ ﷲ داﻳﲈ ︦ⲁ︦ⲓ︦ⲁ⳥ ︦ⲣ︦ⲭ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا‬

The seven Interpretations of the patriarch Anba John, one of the two brothers, completed in the peace of the Lord, on the third day of Amshir. Praise be to God forever. 1011 AM (1295 CE).

INTRODUCTION

41

The date seems to have been added later, and not by the same hand who copied the rest of the manuscript. The date does not correspond to either John. At the bottom of the page, there is another date under Amshir (1040 AM = 1327 CE). The text here confuses John Ibn Qiddis, the eightieth patriarch, for his successor John of Naqada. According to the appendix of Ibn Kabar,106 John of Naqada is called “one of the two brothers.” Importantly, the appendix of Ibn Kabar was written a long time after the death of both Johns. The same could be said of the History of the Patriarchs, and the History of the Patriarchs attributed to Yusab the bishop. However, as mentioned above, the pontificate of John Ibn Qiddis took place between 1300–1320, which means that this note dates the copying of the manuscript to a date five years before his tenure and twenty-five years before John of Naqada (1320–1327).107 Despite all this, the second date does correspond to John of Naqada’s last year, and the text of this late note mentions clearly “one of the two brothers.” Nothing, however, is known about the liturgical activities of John IX of Naqada. This note is very hard to explain, but we are inclined to attribute the text to John Ibn Qiddis for these reasons: • As mentioned above, Ibn Qiddis had a special interest in the liturgy. • According to Ibn Kabar, and corresponding to the patriarchate of John Ibn Qiddis, the Theotokias were not used in UpperEgypt, but only in Cairo and Lower-Egypt.108 So if we accept that John IX was from Naqada, it would be hard from him to use the Theotokias. While the name of his monastery is not known, Ibn Qiddis was monk in the vicinity of Cairo and knew the Theotokias. • This note is not an argument. It is a later addition, dating the text five years before Ibn Qiddis and twenty-five years before John of Naqada. See above. The notice in the Coptic Encyclopedia (Labib 1991, p. 1344) does not specify that he was from Naqada nor that he is one of the two brothers. Our identification is based on Ibn Kabar and Yusab bishop of Fuwwah cf. alSuriani and Daoud, n.d., p. 183. 108 Villecourt 1924, p. 229. 106 107

42 •

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS In the first note—which attributes the text to Ibn Qiddis—we find that the words Theotokia and Synagogue are retroversions from Arabic. This reflects the limited knowledge of Coptic of the scribe who wrote this note. On the other hand, the actual author of this interpretation has a good command of Coptic and appears to have been a learned person.

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS: TEXT AND TRANSLATION The text published here with translation was published before by O’Leary but without any translation or comments and with many mis-readings.1 In this edition, we will underline the text that is written in red in the manuscript (Copte 23 BnF). The words in Italic are Greek loanwords. The text contains some Arabisms, such as: Fol ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲇ︦ ⲛϩⲁⲛⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϫⲓϫ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ which is a literal translation from the Arabic ‫ﻋﲆ ﻳﺪ‬. In Coptic, it should be ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ The author uses special vocabulary, such as: ⲁⲃⲓⲧ for Monday. This psali is in the Ms 23 BnF fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲁ︦. It is also important to mention that every part begins with a letter of the Coptic alphabet starting from the end ϯ ϭ ϫ ϩ ϧ ϥ ϣ

1

O’Leary 1923.

43

44 Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲁ̄ v ⲕ︦ⲏ︦

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲙⲉⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲟⲕⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ϯⲟⲩⲓ Interpretation of Sunday’s Theotokia, tune Adam ⲏ︦ⲭ︦ ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ‫ﺗﻔﺴﲑ ﺗﺪاﻛﻴﺔ ﻳﻮم اﻻﺣﺪ‬

+ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲣⲉⲕ + I pray to you, My God, incline Your ear to me ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲁϣϫ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲭⲱⲗⲉⲙ⳾ swiftly2 according to your ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ great mercy.

+ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣϯϣⲓⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲡⲉⲕⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ⲩ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ + ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛⲥⲁϫⲓ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲉⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉ̀ ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⳾ ̀ⲛϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ

+ ⲡⲥⲕⲉⲩⲟⲥ3 ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲡ⳾ ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ⳾ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ

+ ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲥⲓⲛⲁ ⳾ⲁϥⲧⲁϩⲟⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲁⲧⲥ + ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲭⲱ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲗⲁⲝ ⲃ︦ϯ

+ For Your Holy name(’s sake), do not put us to shame. Let your Holy Spirit guide us. + In order that we may talk in brief about the honour of the God-bearer

+ The chosen vessel, the Tabernacle of God and the true bride, Mary the mother of God + (She is) superior to the Tabernacle, which Moses established on the mount of Sinai + With great glory, and he placed in it the two tablets according to the word of God,

+ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲥⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϣⲁ + This remained until the end of the time but beⲧϧⲁⲉ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϩⲟⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ came a standard (model) to the God-Bearer

+ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲉϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲥⲁⲃⲁⲱⲑ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ

2 3

Ps 31:2. The ⲉ is added over the line

This (Virgin) is the Tabernacle of the Lord of Hosts,

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ * Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲃ︦ r

45

in which dwelt the Word of the Father

+ The ten words on the +ⲁⲩⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲓ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϫⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ two tablets are compared ⲛⲓⲡⲗⲁⲝ ⲃ︦ϯ⳾ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲧⲁ⳾ ⲡⲓϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ to the Iota, the first (let-

ter) of the name of Jesus my God

+ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ + This one was incarnated from the Virgin, saint ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ Mary, for the salvation of ⲫⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲥⲉⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ⲇⲓⲕⲉⲟⲥ⳾4 ⲱ ⲑⲏ̀ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϫⲫⲟ ⲛ̀ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲧⲉⲭⲛⲓⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲉⲥⲓⲧⲏⲥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϣⲉⲡⲙ̀ⲕⲁϩ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲑⲃⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲟϣ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ + ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲫⲛⲟⲩϫϧ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲁϥⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟⲛ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩϣⲗⲟⲗ ⲉ̀ϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ + ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲏⲃ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲡϫⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ̀ⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ

4 5

Read: ⲇⲓⲕⲉⲱⲥ. Heb 11:10.

our race

+ You are truly called, O full of glory: for you gave birth to Emmanuel Jesus the king of Glory.

+ He is the sublime God, the creator5 through His love for mankind, he became a mediator. + And He suffered for our numerous sins till He saved us according to His will.

+ Through the shedding of His holy blood He purified us to Him as a people, a holy congregation + Kingdom and priesthood until the end of eternity, to Him is the mighty and glory forever

46

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ + ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲭⲱ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲃ︦ v6

Therefore, we glorify you, O God-bearer, for you gave birth for our sakes to the incomprehensible one. + We beseech Him through your intercessions in order that He might forgive us our transgressions*

+ Guide us Lord in the + ϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲉϥⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ straight path, send us the ⲉ̀ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲛ Comforter

+ ⲙⲟⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲕⲁϯ ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉⲛϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ + ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ ⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲕⲩⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛϣⲉ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲉⲣϩⲟⲗⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲗⲁⲗⲱⲥ +ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲛ̀ϫⲁϫϩ ⳾ ⲥⲁϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲡⲗⲏⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲥⲟϩⲓ⳾ ⲉⲣⲁⲧⲥ ϣⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ

+ Give us an understanding according to Your goodness in order that we utter the honour of the God-Bearer

+ Moses made a wooden Ark that would not decay and he overlaid it, + inside out with pure gold, except that it did not last forever;

+ but it became a symbol + ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲏⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ of Mary, the perfect forever. ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϣⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀

+ ⲁⲥϫⲟⲗϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ ⳾ ⲥⲁϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ ⳾ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩⲃ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ

6

+ She is covered within and without with purity superior to the perishable gold

These two pages are in bad condition and the Djinkim is not always clear.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

47

+ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ + God the Word dwelt in ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ her womb, and after she ⲑⲣⲉⲥⲙⲁⲥϥ⳾ ⲉⲥⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ gave birth, she remained Virgin

+ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣ ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧⲫⲱⲣϫ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϣⲓⲃϯ Fol.ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲅ︦ r

+ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲃ︦⳾ ⲟⲩϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ * ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ⳾ ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ + ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲟⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲉⲧϫⲟⲣ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲁⲧⲁⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲛⲁϩϯ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲓ̄ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ̄⳾ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ + ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲫⲩⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲉⲥⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ + ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ

+ True God, who became man without separation and alteration. + One from two (natures),7 unique hypostases, the only Son of God the Father

+ Come to us today, O all-wise man, the mighty cub, our father Cyril,8 + and teach us the straight faith of Jesus Christ, the king of ages

+ One nature of the Word enfleshed from the Virgin + Therefore we beseech

+ Sing to the Lord a new ϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲓ̀ⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛϩⲃⲏⲟⲩⲓ⳾ song,9 for he did marvellous things. ⲉⲩⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ

+ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲧⲉⲛϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϫⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ϫⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲓⲉⲱⲛ ⲫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ

+ For He is our hope from generation to

This formulation is accepted by Severus of Antioch in theory. For this doctrine cf. Frend 1982, pp. 39–46; Winkler 1997, pp. 33–40; Wipszycka 1996, pp. 9–61. 9 Ps. 95[96]:1–4; Ps 149:1 (the fourth Ode). 7 8

48

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲉⲑⲛⲏⲟⲩ

generation in this age10 and the coming age.

+ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ + According to His great mercy and love to manⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁϥⲑⲱϣ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲛⲟⲓ̀ⲁ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉϥⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ kind, He established repentance for the sinners

+ Moses made the holy + ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲁϩⲥⲁϩⲛⲓ⳾ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ ⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓ̀ⲟ⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ Tabernacle according to His ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲥⲓⲛⲁ order, on the mount of Sinai

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦[ⲅ︦ v

+ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲭⲱ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲩⲗⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⳾ ⲁϥⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉⲣⲟϥ⳾ * ϫⲉ ⲫⲙⲁⲛⲭⲁ ⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ

+ And he put inside it a mercy seat which he called the place of forgiveness of sins.

+ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲡⲣⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲥⲏⲟⲩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲙⲏⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ

+ But it perished in due time, and became for us a symbol of the one who is full of glory,13

+ ⲁϥⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ11 ⲉϫⲱϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ12 ⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⲃ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲛ̀ϫⲁϫϩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲃⲉ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ

+ ⲡⲓⲩⲗⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲫⲙⲁⲛⲭⲁⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ + ϫⲉ ⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲭⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ

Ps 12:7. Read ⲁⲩⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ. 12 Arabism. The Coptic should use ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ. 13 I.e. the Virgin Mary. 10 11

+ It was overshadowed by two refined golden Cherubim one towards the other

+ the indestructible mercy seat that is for us the place for the forgiveness of sins.

+ She bore in her womb the incomprehensible, the forgiver of the sins of his people.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

49

+ So who among men or + ⲛⲓⲙ ⲇⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲱ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ⳾ ⲓⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ angels, O Mary the queen, will be able to pronounce ⲉⲑⲛⲁϣϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲧⲁⲓⲟ your honour.

+ ⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲥⲉⲣⲁⲫⲓⲙ⳾ ⲥⲉⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ⲱ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲙⲉⲧⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲉϥⲭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲙⲉⲧϫⲁϫⲓ + ⲁϥϩⲱⲧⲡ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲙ̀ⲫⲉ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϣⲱⲃϣ ⲉϥϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϫⲓϫ ⲉⲥⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲇ︦ r

+ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ * + ϩⲱⲥ ⲟⲩϣⲟⲩⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧϥ⳾ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲛⲁϩⲙⲉⲧ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓϫⲱⲃ +ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣϩⲓⲧⲧ ⲉϩⲁⲡ⳾ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ϫⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲁⲓϯϫⲱⲛⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ

+ Lo, the Cherubim and the Seraphim overshadow you, O daughter of Joachim, + and the angels and the archangels praise forever your virginity;

+ For the king is in your womb, he who had destroyed the enmity, + with a stretched out arm and a strong hand, He reconciled the heavenly with the earthly + Therefore

+ Our Lord Christ, how worthy of love is Your holy name14, save me, the humble + truly I made You angry, and do not cast me, Your servant, to Judgment.

+ Behold, bless the +ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲡ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲛⲏ Lord15 O His saints and ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲉⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ exalt His name, O those who love Him

14 15

Ps 119:97, Psali of Sunday. Ps. 134:1 ⲧⲉⲛⲑⲏⲛⲟⲩ

50

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS +ϫⲉ ⲁϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ + ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲁϥⲓ̀ⲣⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧ̀ϫⲓϫ17 ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲙⲑⲟ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓ ⲡ̀ϣⲁϥⲉ⳾ ⲁϥϯ ⲛⲱⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛⲛⲁ⳾ ⲡⲓⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲧ̀ⲫⲉ + ⲁϥϩⲟⲛϩⲉⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥⲉⲣ ⲟⲩⲥⲧⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩⲃ⳾ ⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ

+ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥϩⲏⲡ19 ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲓ⳾ ̀ⲙⲙⲁⲛⲛⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲏϯ⳾ ⲁϥⲭⲁϥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁϩ ⲃ︦ϯ Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲇ︦ v

+ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲥⲓⲛⲓ⳾20 ϧⲉⲛ ⲡϫⲱⲕ* ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲩⲡⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲱ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ

+ For He gave us the Spirit of sonship16 and He made us a new people. + From the beginning, He performed many miracles through18 Moses in front of the Egyptians. + And He brought His people to the desert and gave them the manna which was from Heaven. + He ordered Moses to make the pot of chosen pure gold, + in order to hide in it the measure of manna, which Moses placed in the second Tabernacle. + All these had gone with the termination of the Law, and they (these things) became a sign of the Virgin

+ (you are) Truly worthy, O God-Bearer, for you are the pride of the Orthodox.

Rom 8:15, 23; 9:4, Gal 4:5. Doxology Adam for the morning. Arabism for ‫ ﻋﲆ ﻳﺪ‬The Coptic should be ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ 18 Lit. “in the hand.” 19 Sic. Read: ϩⲱⲡ. 20 Reading uncertain. 16 17

TEXT AND TRANSLATION +ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉϥⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲏⲧⲟⲛ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲬ̄ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ + ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲱⲓⲕ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲁϥϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲱⲛϧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ +ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ

+ For you had carried in your womb the rational manna, Jesus Christ, our God the king of the ages,

+ the Lord of lords, God of the angels, the heavenly bread who gave life to the world. + Therefore

+ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲃⲁⲗ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲏⲧ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲥⲟⲙⲥ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ

+ With a pitiful eye, 21 O our Lord Christ, look upon us, the humble ones.

+ϯⲕⲱⲗϫ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲕⲉⲗⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙⲁϩⲧⲉⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕϩⲟϯ

+ I bend the knees of my heart, my God, and I beseech you: fill me with Your fearfulness.

+ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϣⲗⲏⲗ22 ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲧⲃⲱⲗ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲉ︦ r

51

+ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ̀ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ⳾ ϯϭⲁϩⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲉⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ*

+ My Lord, forgive me, like (the) paralysed (one), for You are the one who delivers those who are bound.

+ Through the intercessions of the all-holy, the pure gazelle, the holy Mary.

+ Who among the fleshly + ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛ̀ⲗⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ tongue would be able to ⲉⲑⲛⲁϣϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲧⲁⲓⲟ⳾ ⲱ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ talk about your honour, O true bride Mary, the queen.

21 22

Burmester 1973, p. 129 (text), p. 230 (translation). A late hand added ⲗ to ϣⲏⲗ to make it ϣⲗⲏⲗ “prayer” cf. Mark 2:4–8.

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲁⲣⲭⲏⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲓⲕⲟⲥ + ⲉⲑⲣⲉⲕⲧⲁⲙⲟⲛ ⲉⲡⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲑ̀ⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭ︦ⲥ︦ + ⲉ̀ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ⳾ ⲁⲕⲧⲉⲛⲑⲱⲛⲧ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲍ︦ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲃⲥ⳾ ⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲥ + ϫⲉ ⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣϧⲱⲛⲧ ⲉⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲧⲁϩⲟϥ + ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁⲣⲟⲛ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ23 + ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲡⲁⲣⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲉⲣⲟⲛ⳾ ϣⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ

Fol. ⲥ︦[ⲟ︦ⲉ︦ v

+ ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ϧⲁ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲭⲁⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲡⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲥⲁⲛⲕⲟⲧⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲇⲓⲁⲃⲟⲗⲟⲥ* + ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ

+ Come to us our father the Archbishop Athanasius the Apostolic; + In order to teach us the glory of the GodBearer, the daughter of Joachim and the mother of Christ.

+ You have compared her with the golden candelabrum, whereon seven lamps give light. + For she carried the unapproachable light, the incomprehensible and the unattainable.

+ The true God who had mercy upon us, came and took flesh in the fulfillment of ages.24 + Through His parousia, from Mary, He shone upon us up till the End;

+ we, who were sitting in the darkness of the passions through the guile of the devil.

+ Great light shone upon us who is our Lord Christ, the king of the ages

The scribe wrote first ⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ and corrected later in order to respect the rhyme. 24 Gal 4:4. 23

TEXT AND TRANSLATION +ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲕⲟⲓⲛⲱⲛⲓⲁ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲓⲏⲟⲩⲧ⳾ ⲁⲛⲉⲣ ⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ + ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓ̀ⲁ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲗⲁⲙⲱⲛ⳾ ̀ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩⲃ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲇⲟⲡⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ25 + ⲁϥⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ ⲛⲉⲛϭⲁⲗⲁⲩϫ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲫⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ + ϥϩⲟⲗϫ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϥⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲟϯ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ + ⲁⲣⲓⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉⲥⲑⲉ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϩⲏⲧ ⲉϥⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ⲡⲉⲕⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲟⲗϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁⲣⲟⲛ26 + ⲙⲟⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲓ̀ⲁ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲡⲁⲣⲣⲏⲥⲓ̀ⲁ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϧⲁⲉ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲁ +ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ⳾ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ + ⲉⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲥⲑⲟⲓ ⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲉ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ

25 26

Read: ⲧⲟⲡⲁⲍⲓⲟⲛ. Ps 50:10–11.

53

+ we were freed once more through the communion of His holy Body and precious Blood,

+ Through Mary, the lamp candelabrum of reeds is more than the Gold and the Topaz + He straightened our feet in the path of peace; she gave birth to God the lover of the mankind for us + Your name is sweet and fearful, O our Lord Christ, God of gods.

+ Grant us a straight heart. Your Holy Spirit— do not take it from us.

+ Give us help and boldness of speech in the last day of judgment. + Through the intercession of the daughter of Joachim, the Virgin Mary who is greater than the Cherubim. + She bore the heavenly incense beyond the censer of Aaron.

54

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ϛ︦ r

+ ⲙⲱⲩ̀ⲥⲏⲥ ⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ⳾ ⲁϥⲥⲉⲗⲥⲟⲗⲥ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓϩⲁⲙⲛⲟⲩⲃ* + ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲭⲱ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϫⲉⲃⲥ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲥⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲡ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϫⲓϫ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ + ⲉⲥⲟ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩⲃ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ̀ⲁⲛⲁⲙⲏⲓ + ⲉⲧϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓϫⲉⲃⲥ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲑⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ + ⲱ̀ ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲁⲛⲁⲩ ⲁⲣⲓϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲓϣⲟⲩⲣⲏ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ + ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲇ︦ⲁ̄ⲇ︦ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲏⲃ ⳾ ⲧⲫⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲇⲉⲥⲡⲟⲧⲁ

+ Moses made a censer of Gold, and the goldsmith adorned it + The burning coal was put in it and the chosen incense by27 Aaron. + It (the censer) resembles Mary, the true censer superior to the gold and pearls + Carrying the fire coal of the divinity who is God the Word, Jesus Christ our God.

+ O our holy fathers, look and be amazed and let us glorify this new censer,

+ The daughter of David from the tribe of Judah, who gave us (the) birth (of) Jesus, Lord.

+ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲏⲃ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ + He is the priest, He is ⲡⲓϩⲓⲏⲃ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ⳾ the lamb, He who accepts the holy sacrifice ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲑⲩⲥⲓⲁ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ + ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲃⲟⲏⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲱ ⲩ︦ⲥ︦ + Be our helper,28 O ⲑ︦ⲥ︦ ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲛ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ Son of God, have pity upon us according to ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ Your Goodness.

27

Lit. “in the hand of.” Arabism for ‫ﺑﻴﺪ ﻫﺎرون‬. The Coptic should be

ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ. 28

Ps 44:26.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲉⲛⲱϣ ⲉⲡϣⲱⲓ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲭⲁⲣⲱⲕ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲛ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲉ̀ⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⳾ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ ⳾ ϯⲡⲣⲟⲥⲧⲁⲧⲏⲥ ⲉⲧⲉⲛϩⲟⲧ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾ ϯϩⲣⲏⲣⲓ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ϯⲥⲉⲛϯ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲕⲓⲙ

+ We cry towards you, God, do not be silent for we do not have (any) Lord except You.

+ and the beseeching of the Virgin the beautiful dove, the entrusted protector of our race,

+ the true bride, the daughter of Joachim, the holy flower, the unshaken foundation,

+ greater than the + ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲓϣⲃⲱⲧ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ ⳾ ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲥ ϭⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲥⲟ⳾ staff of Aaron, without planting or watering ⲁϥϯⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲛ it gave fruit.

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ϛ︦ v

+ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲓⲛⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ⳾* ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲟⲩⲁϩⲙⲉϥ ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲡⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ̄ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϫⲉⲙϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ⳾ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ

+ Mary without intercourse gave birth to Christ who is called good Saviour.

+ Hail to you Mary who found grace and gave birth to us the Word of the Father.

+ Hail to you Mary who give birth for us, (the) God of our fathers, the king of ages.

Hail to you Mary + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⳾ ϩⲁⲛⲁⲛϣⲟ ⲛ̀ϣⲟ⳾ whom thousands of thousands of angels ⲉⲩⲉⲣϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ sing to her.

+ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ

+ Hail to you Mary, the God-bearer whom the patriarchs looked

55

56

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲛⲓⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲥ⳾ ϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲁϫⲱⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ29 ϧⲁⲣⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲁ̀ⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲉⲣⲕⲩⲣⲓⲍⲓⲛ⳾30 ϧⲉⲛ31 ⲡⲉⲥϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁⲩⲫⲱⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭ︦ⲥ︦ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϩⲓ ⲡϣⲁϥⲉ⳾32 ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲓⲁ̀

forward for her. + Hail to you Mary, the mother of the Word, of whom the prophets bore witness. + Hail to you Mary, (of) whom the Apostles preached Her Good Son. + Hail to you Mary by the martyrs who shed their blood for the name of Christ.

+ Hail to you Mary, by the cross-bearers who dwelt in the Desert and the lonely mountains. + Hail to you Mary, by the church and all the children of the Orthodox (faith)

+ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϥⲓ + Hail to you Mary, ⲛ̀ϧⲁⲉ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲧⲉⲛϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ⳾ till the last breathing, for You are our help ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϧⲁⲉ in the last day

+ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ*

+ For this, we glorify you…

Sic read ⲑⲏⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ϧⲁⲣⲟⲥ. Sic read ⲑⲏⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲕⲩⲣⲓⲍⲓⲛ…. 31 Arabism for ‫ﻛﺮزوا ﺑﺄﺑﻨﻬﺎ‬. The Coptic should be ⲉⲣⲕⲩⲣⲓⲍⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲥϣⲏⲣⲓ…. 32 The use of the singular for desert may denote the desert of Scetis which is the desert par excellence. Cf. Youssef 1994, pp. 61–67. 29 30

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

57

The first letter of each part follows the alphabetical order ⲁ ⲃ ⲅ ⲇ ⲉ ⲍ Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲍ︦ r

ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲙⲉⲛⲓⲁ̀ ⲛ̀ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲟⲕⲓⲁ ⲛ̀̀ⲁ̀ⲃⲓⲧ ⲏ̀ⲭⲟⲥ ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ‫ﺗﻔﺴﲑ ﺗﺪﻛﻴﺔ ﻳﻮم اﻻﺛﻨﲔ‬ ‫ادام‬

+ ⲁⲓϥⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ⲉⲡϣⲱⲓ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ⳾ ⲙⲟⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲕⲁϯ + ⲁⲓⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲏⲕ ⲡ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲭⲁⲣⲱⲕ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲫⲱⲧ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ + ⲧⲱⲛⲕ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲛⲁϩⲙⲉⲧ ϧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲏⲓ⳾ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲉ̀ⲃⲏⲗ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ + ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲁⲓϫⲟⲩϣⲧ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲁϥⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ + ⲁϥⲧⲁⲥⲑⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ⲉϯⲉⲗⲉⲩⲑⲉⲣⲓⲁ⳾37 ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲡⲁⲣⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ

Interpretation of Monday’s Theotokia, tune Adam + I lift up my soul33 to You, O my God and I ask You: “Give me intelligence.”

+ I call You, O Lord, my God, do not be silent to my prayer34 for I flee to You.35 + Arise Lord, my God,36 deliver Your servant, for I do not have anything except You, my Lord. + Looking, I look (forward) to God of my salvation for He listened (to me) and had pity upon me. + He made us return again to freedom, by His parousia from the holy Mary.

+ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲓϩⲟⲩⲓⲧ + He created Adam the first man according to His ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲧⲉϥϩⲓⲕⲱⲛ ⳾ image from mud. ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲟⲙⲓ

Ps 143:8. Ps 39:12? 35 Ps 143:9. 36 Ps 68:1. 37 There are many meanings for this term, including “honour, innocence, respect, etc.” Cf. Drescher 1969–1970, pp. 251–260. 33 34

58

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲁ ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϩⲏⲧ ⲁϥⲙⲟϩ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲥⲟⲫⲓⲁ +ⲁϥⲁⲓϥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲏⲃ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϯ ϣⲁⲣⲟ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ϫⲉⲕⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲙⲟϣⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲧⲣⲁⲛⲁϥ + ⲁϥⲁⲓϥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲁⲫⲉ ⳾ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ϯⲕⲧⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲥⲁⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ⲛ̀ⲧⲫⲉ *

Fol. ⲥ︦[ⲟ︦ⲍ︦ v

+ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲉⲛϥ ⲉ̀ⲡϣⲱⲓ⳾ ⲉⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ + ⲁϥϫⲟⲗϩϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ϯⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⳾ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲁϥⲥⲱⲣⲉⲙ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲡⲱⲃϣ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ + ⲁϥϩⲓⲡϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ϩⲟϯ + ⲁϥⲉⲣ̀ⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϩⲉⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϩⲁϫⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡϫⲟϣϫⲉϣ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲁϥⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉϥϫⲁϫⲓ + ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲉⲧⲓ ⲉ̀ϥⲟⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲙⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲁϥⲛⲉϩⲡⲓ ⲁϥⲣⲓⲙⲓ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲙⲑⲟ ⲙ̀ⲓⲛⲁⲏⲧ + ⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ⳾38

38

+ He gave us the spirit of the prophecy and a heart full of wisdom. + He made him a priest and He gave him a commandment to follow as it is pleasant to Him. + He made him a king and He lifted his head over the whole creation which is under the sky. + And He put him in paradise in order that he ate from its fruit

+ He covered him with glory as with a dress after he (Adam) erred; he forgot the commandment. + The Lord God banished him to the earth with a great fear.

+ He (Adam) became sad, for he fell in the snare down to the earth; the enemy was happy. + While Adam was sad, crying and weeping in front of the merciful. + The Patient one had pity upon him (Adam), He remembered His

The scribe wrote ⲛⲟⲩ ⲛϩⲏⲧ and it was corrected later by him.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲁϥⲉⲣⲫ̀ⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ +ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲧⲁⲥⲑⲟ ⲛ̀ⲁⲇⲁⲙ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉϥⲁⲣⲭⲏ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ

Fol. ⲥ︦[ⲟ︦ⲏ︦ r

+ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ϧⲁϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ⳾ ⲥⲉⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ * + ⲃⲟⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲥⲟⲡ ⳾ ⲁⲓⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲡ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲭⲁⲧ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲕ + ⲁⲓⲉⲣⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲉⲛⲓⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲕⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧϫⲱⲃ + ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϩⲏ ⲁⲥⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲉⲩⲁ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲥⲁⲛⲕⲟⲧⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ

mercy and His clemency. + He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, the Word. He shone in flesh from the Virgin, + without the seed of man, by His holy will, and He made Adam return back to his presidency.

+ Glory and power before the ages, are worthy to our Saviour for He came and saved us

+ Many times, I sinned against You, for the sake of Your name, O Lord, do not leave me behind You. + I transgressed Your holy commandment, I pray to You, my God: “Have mercy upon my weakness.”39 + Since the beginning, Eve, our mother, had sinned through the guile of the Evil one,

+ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ against the Lord God ⲫϯ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲥⲫⲓⲣ ⲛ̀ⲁⲇⲁⲙ⳾ who had created her (Eve) from the rib of ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ Adam through His power as God.

39

Ps 6:2?

59

60

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁϥϩⲟⲛϩⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲓϣϣⲏⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲏϯ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ + ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲙ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧϥ⳾ ⲙⲏⲡⲟⲧⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉⲕⲉⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧϥ + ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲃ︦⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲉⲩⲁ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

+ The Good (Lord) ordered Adam concerning the tree in the midst of the paradise,

+ (saying): “Look, do not eat from it, lest with death, you will die because of it.” + Both Adam and Eve were in the paradise like angels.

+ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲡⲑⲟⲛⲓⲛ40 ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ + Satan envied them. He hid himself in the serⲡⲥⲁⲧⲁⲛⲁⲥ⳾ ⲁ̀ϥⲭⲟⲡϥ ϧⲉⲛ pent and talked with its ⲡⲓϩⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲥ tongue.

+ ⲁϥⲉⲣϩⲁⲗ ⲛ̀ϯⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁⲥⲟⲩⲱⲙ + He deceived the woman, she ate from the ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲧⲱϫⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲥϩⲁⲓ⳾ ⲁⲩⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁ ⲡⲓϫⲁϫⲓ plant. She and her hus-

band obeyed the Enemy.

Fol. ⲥ︦[ⲟ︦ⲏ︦ v

+ ⲁⲩⲃⲁϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲁ̀ⲡⲁⲧⲏ⳾ ⲁⲩⲉⲣ ⲛⲓϣⲑⲓⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ*ϩⲁ⳾ ⲟⲩϫⲱⲃⲓ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲛⲧⲉ + ⲁϥϩⲟⲡϥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲡϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲧϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓϣϣⲏⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ϣⲓⲡⲓ + ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲁⲇⲁⲙ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲥⲙⲏ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲟϩⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲛⲉⲕϩⲃⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀⳾ ⲥ̀ⲥϩⲟⲩⲟⲣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ

40

Read: ⲫⲑⲟⲛⲓⲛ.

+ They became naked of the glory, through the trickery. They made dresses from the figleaves; + Adam hid himself from the face of God in the shadow of the trees, with great shame.

+ God said to Adam with a reproving voice: “Because of your works, cursed is the earth

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲥⲧⲱⲃⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲥⲓⲣⲓ⳾ ϥⲛⲁⲣⲱⲧ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲉⲕⲉⲟⲩⲱⲙ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕϥⲱϯ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲕϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲕⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥⲑⲟ ⲉⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϣⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲟⲩⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲭⲛⲁⲧⲁⲥⲑⲟⲕ ⲉ̀ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ + ⲁϥⲫⲱⲛϩ ⲉ̀ϯⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⳾ ϫⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲁϣⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ̀ⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ⳾ ϯⲛⲁⲑⲣⲟⲩⲁϣⲁⲓ + ⲧⲉⲣⲁⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲙⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲕⲟ⳾ ⲁⲣⲉⲧⲁⲥⲑⲟ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϩⲁⲓ⳾ ⲉϥⲉⲉⲣ�ⲥ︦ ⲉⲣⲟ + ⲁϥϩⲟⲃⲥⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲁⲣ⳾ ⲁϥⲥⲓϯ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲡϫⲱⲕ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏⲧϥ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲟ︦ⲑ︦ r

+ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲁ̀ ⲫϯ⳾ ϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲛⲁϩⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϫⲓϫ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ * + ⲉⲩⲁ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣϩⲁⲗ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓϩⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁϣⲧⲁϩⲟϥ

Gen 3:17–19. Gen 3:16. 43 Gen 3:22. 44 Gal 4:4. 41 42

61

+ Repay, it will grow throns for you; you shall eat with sweat till you die

+ And you will return to the unrestrained earth for you are from earth and you will return to earth.41 + He (God) turned towards the woman; “with multiplication, I will multiply your sorrow + You will give birth to children with affliction, you turn to your husband he will rule over you42

+ He covered them with skins,43 He threw them out till the end of the time44 which He had established for them. + After these (things), God looked at them and He saved them from the hand of the Evil one.

+ Eve, who was deceived by the serpent; the Unattainable one has pity on her.

62

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓ ⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣ ⲉⲩⲁ̀ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϩⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛ̀ⲁⲣⲭⲉⲟⲥ + ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ

+ He came and took flesh from the Virgin, freed Eve from the ancient curse. + Glory

+ ⲅⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ

+ For truly Jesus Christ the Word came and took flesh from the Virgin.

+ ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲛⲉ̀ⲥⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲉⲩⲉⲣϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ

+ We saw His glory by the angels and the shepherds, praising and singing.

+ We beheld His glory + ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲱⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧϥ⳾ like the glory of a Unique Son,45 Glory be to Him. ϫⲉ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓ̀ⲱⲟⲩ

+ ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲓⲟⲣⲇⲁⲛⲏⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϫⲓⲛⲑⲣⲉϥϭⲓⲱⲙⲥ⳾ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ + ⲁ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲡ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⳾ ⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϭⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲟ̀ϩⲓ ⲉϫⲱϥ Fol ⲥ︦ⲟ︦︦ⲑ︦ v

+ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲥⲙⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ϧⲁⲣⲟϥ⳾*ϫⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲡⲁⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱϥ + ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲕⲁⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ϯⲅⲁⲗⲓⲗⲉⲁ ⳾ ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲏⲣⲡ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲱⲟⲩ

John 1:14. Matt 3:17; Mark 1:11; Luke 3:23. 47 John 2:1–12. 45 46

+ We saw His glory on the Jordan, when He was baptized by John.

+ The Holy Spirit, descending upon Him like a dove, settled on Him, + and the voice of the Father bore witness: “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him.”46

+ In the Cana of Galilee, we saw His glory, for He created wine out of water.47

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲱ̀ⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲙⲑⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓ̀ⲙϩⲁⲩ⳾ ⲁϥⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲗⲁⲭⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾48 ⲁϥⲧⲱⲛϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩ

63

+ We saw His glory in front of the grave when He called Lazarus, and He resurrected him (Lazarus) there49

+ ⲉϥⲧⲁⲗⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲉⲡⲓⲥⲏϫ⳾ ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ We saw His glory, when He was carried on a colt ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲱ̀ⲟⲩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁ50 ⲛⲓⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⳾ ⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲁⲩϯⲱⲟⲩ and the children were praising and glorifying:

+ ϫⲉ ⲱ̀ⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲱⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ⳾ ⲁϥⲫⲱⲣϣ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩϩⲱⲃⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲙⲑⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ + ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓ⳧⳾ ⲁϥϧⲟⲙϧⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ϯϫⲟⲙ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲥⲁⲧⲁⲛⲁⲥ + ⲁϥⲙⲓϣⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲫⲣⲏ⳾ ⲉ̀ϣⲧⲉⲙⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲙⲟⲛⲙⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲡⲓⲓⲟϩ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲥⲛⲟϥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲧⲁⲡⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁ ⳾ ⲁϥⲫⲱϧ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲃ︦⳾ ⲁ̀ ⲛⲓⲣⲉϥⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲙϩⲁⲩ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲥⲙⲏ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲟⲛⲓ⳾ ⲁϥⲱϣ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ̄ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲡⲁⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ

+ “Osanna in the Highest, Osanna son of David.” They spread their dresses in front of the Beloved.51 + We saw His glory on the Cross, He trampled the power of Satan.

+ The sun fought to see Him. The earth moved, the moon became blood.52 + And the Veil was rent in twain, the dead arose from the graves.53 + And the voice of the thief crying out with power: “Remember me

Sic. ⲗⲁⲍⲁⲣⲟⲥ. John 11:1–45. 50 Sic. Read either ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲓⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲁⲩϯⲱⲟⲩ or ⲁ ⲛⲓⲁⲗⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀ ϩⲱⲥ ⲁⲩϯⲱⲟⲩ. 51 Matt 21:7–11; Mark 11:7–11; Luke 19:35–38. 52 Joel 3:31. 53 Luke 23:45; Mark 15:38. 48 49

64

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS O Lord in Your kingdom.54

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ r

+ ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ⳾ ⲡϫⲓⲛⲑⲣⲉϥⲧⲱⲛϥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧϥ* + ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡϫⲓⲛⲑⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲉⲡϣⲱⲓ ⲉ̀ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀⳾ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲫⲱⲣϫ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ + ⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲁⲩϣⲱⲡⲓ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲃⲁⲗ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲏⲧ + ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ

+ ⲇⲉⲥⲡⲟⲧⲁ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲏ57⳾ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲧⲁϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲃⲟⲏⲑⲓⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ + ϯⲕⲱⲗϩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲡⲩⲗⲏ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϯⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲟⲧⲕ⳾ ⲙⲁϩⲧⲉⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕϩⲟϯ + ϭⲓⲥⲙⲏ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ ⲡⲓϫⲁϫⲓ ϭⲟϫⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁ ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ

Luke 23:42. Matt 27:1. 56 Acts 1:9–11. 57 Sic. Read: ⲛⲏⲓ. 58 Ps 50:1. 59 Ps 7:5. 54 55

+ We saw His glory when He resurrected from the dead with His own power.55

+ We saw His glory, when He ascended to Heavens, the place that was not separated from Him.56

+ All these (things) took place by His mercy; for He looked to us with a merciful eye. + Glory!

+ Lord, have mercy upon me according to your Great mercy;58 for You are my hope, help me!

+ I knock on the doors of Your mercy, my God, I ask You to fill me with a fear of You. + Listen, Lord, my God, to my prayer for the Enemy hastens for my soul.59

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲁⲓⲑⲉⲃⲓⲟ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲱⲛϧ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲉϥⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ⳾ ⲁϥⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲟ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲭⲁⲕⲓ + ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲓ̀ ⲉⲩϩⲁⲡ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲛⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ + ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲁⲡϣⲱⲓ⳾ ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ + ⲓⲉⲍⲉⲕⲓⲏⲗ ⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ⳾ ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲁⲓ⳾ ⲉⲥⲟ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ v

+ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ϯⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲁ⳾* ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲥⲃⲱⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲥⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ̀ + ⲛⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲁⲗ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲏⲥⲁⲏ̀ⲁⲥ⳾ ⲉⲡⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ

65

+ I humble my life to the earth like one who is dead; he (the enemy) made me sit in the darkness.60

+ Do not enter into judgment with Your servant,61 my God, through the intercessions of the mother of God.

+ This (Lady) who is superior to the angels and gave birth to the Incomprehensible one for our sake. + Ezekiel saw a gate in the East resembling Mary the true bride.62

+ For she gave birth according to the prophecy and her virginity had not be loosened. + Isaiah was looking with a prophetical eyes to the mystery.

+ He prophesied concern+ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲉⲩⲓⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲓϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲩⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ing this matter: “For ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲁⲗⲟⲩ⳾ ⲁⲩϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ unto us a child is born,

unto us a son is given.”63

Ps 142:5–6. Ps 143:2. 62 Ezek 43:4; 44:1–2. 63 Isa 9:6. 60 61

66

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲫϯ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϫⲟⲣ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁⲥⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲡⲓⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲟϭⲛⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲓⲇⲓⲟⲥ + ⲡϣⲫⲏⲣ ⲛ̀ⲇⲓⲙⲓⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲥⲩⲛⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲁϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ + ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲏⲕ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲁⲓⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲏⲕ⳾ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣϯϩⲑⲏⲕ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲛⲁⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ̀ + ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉ̀ⲡⲁϯϩⲟ⳾ ϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣϯϣⲓⲡⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ + ⲁⲩϩⲟⲣϣ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲕⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ⳾ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲫⲱⲛϩ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲓ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲁ︦ r quire ⲕ︦ⲑ︦

64 65

Ps 129:1. Ps 13:1.

+ ⲁϥⲕⲏⲛ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲱⲛϧ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ * + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧⲕ⳾ ⲁⲕⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϩⲏ

+ God the powerful of mighty (men), who is Jesus Christ the Only-begotten.

+ He (Isaiah) called Him (Jesus) the Angel of great counsel, which means the Everlasting.

+ The co-creator with His Good Father and co-ruler before the ages. + From the depth, I cried to You O Lord, my God, do not pay heed to my transgressions.64 + Listen to my demand and look to me, for I search Your face, do not give shame to me. + My sins are heavy, woe and woe to me, my God, do not turn Your face from me.65

+ My life ceased without salvation. Treat Your slave according to Your great mercy.

+ For You are the only one who set us free from slavery, which befalls (us) from the beginning.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁⲣⲟⲛ⳾ ⲁϥⲣⲓⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲁⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀⳾66 ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ⳾ + ⲁϥⲉⲣ ⲡⲓⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲛ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ + ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲉⲟⲩⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲉϥⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ + ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ + ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲙⲉⲛⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲁⲏⲧ⳾ ⲁϥϭⲣⲟ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥϫⲫⲟⲓ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ + ⲉⲧⲉ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ̄ⲥ︦⳾ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ69 ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ

67

+ Jesus Christ, our God, had pity upon us. He bent the heavens and came down to us.67 + He had pity upon us by His mercy, He came and took flesh from the bride, + the holy Mary, in order to save us and to guide us to the straight path.

+ O human race, rejoice and be happy, for the lover of mankind saved us. + The compassionate one loved the World, for He overcame it (the devil) by His mercy. + Let us cry: “Glory in the Highest to the one who sent to us His mighty arm,68

+ Who is Jesus Christ who shone in the flesh and saved our race by His goodness.

The scribe confused here ⲁⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ “heads” (cf. Crum 1939, p. 13b) and ⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ “heavens.” 67 Ps 18:9. 68 Ps 89:13. 69 Arabism. 66

68

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲍ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲟⲡ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲛⲓ⳾ ϯⲛⲁⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲁϩⲟⲛ + ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕϫⲱⲛⲧ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲥⲟϩⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲉⲙⲃⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣϯⲥⲃⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ*

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲁ︦ v

+ ⲉⲓⲛⲁϣⲉⲛⲏⲓ ⲉⲑⲱⲛ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲕ ⲛⲉ ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫⲱⲕ ⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ + ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲡⲓϫⲁϫⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϭⲟϫⲓ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲓ⳾ ⲭⲱⲗⲉⲙ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲓⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ

+ Seven times a day do I praise70 Your name, O our Lord Christ, let Your pity reach us. + Do not rebuke me, Lord, in Your anger nor chase me in Your displeasure.71

+ Where shall I go from Your72 might, for the heavens and the earth also belong to You. + Behold, the enemy persecutes me!73 Hasten to help me, O Lord my God.74

+ Through the interces+ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ̀ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ sions of the all-holy saint Mary the God-bearer. ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ

+ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ ⲡⲓⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲕⲧⲁⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲕϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ + ϫⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϩⲏ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲫⲏⲉ̀ⲛⲁϥϣⲟⲡ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾75: ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦

+ John the chaste, come today to inform us about what you said: + “That who was from the beginning,”76 and will remain, who came and took flesh from the saint (Mary).

Ps 118:164. Ps 6:1. 72 Ps 139:7. 73 Ps 7:5. 74 Ps 38:22. 75 The ⲣ is corrected with another hand over the line. 76 I John 1:1. 70 71

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛⲃⲁⲗ⳾ ⲁⲛⲟⲛ ⲁⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛϫⲓϫ⳾ ⲁⲛϫⲉⲙϫⲟⲙ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ + ⲉⲧⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲥⲁϫⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣ ⲟⲩⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ + ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥϫⲱϣ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲑⲱϧ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲗⲓ ⲛ̀ⲥⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲫⲱⲣϫ ⲡⲗⲏⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦78 ⲁϥⲓ̀⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲛⲧⲉⲛ ⲉⲡϣⲱⲓ ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲁⲙⲉⲛϯ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲃ︦ r

+ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲟⲛ ⲉϥⲛⲏⲟⲩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉϯϩⲁⲡ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲟⲟⲩ* + ⲏⲗ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ⳾ ⲡⲓϣϣⲏⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϧ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥ︦ⲗ︦⳾ ⲫⲣⲉϥϯ ⲙ̀ⲡ̀ⲱⲛϧ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲁϥⲙⲉⲛⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ + ⲑ︦ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲃⲟⲧ⳾ ⲁⲥⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ⳾ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ

I John 1:1. Added over the line with another hand. 79 Heb 13:8. 77 78

69

+ We, ourselves, saw this with our own eyes77 and our hands have touched Him, + namely, the Word who became flesh with indescribable unity.

+ He neither altered nor mingled in any way nor separated but was one unique hypostasis. + Jesus Christ came and took us from Hades by His great mercy.

+ And again He will come with great glory to judge the Earth. He is yesterday and today.79 + El is Immanuel, the tree of life, God of Israel, the life-giver.

+ Through His mercy, He loved our race, came and took flesh from the Virgin; +she carried Him for nine months and gave birth in Bethlehem.

70

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ + And the word of Miⲙ̀ⲙⲉⲭⲓⲁⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧϥⲉⲣⲡⲣⲟⲫⲉⲧⲉⲩⲓⲛ⳾ cah has been fulfilled, which he prophesied sayⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ing thus:

ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ϩⲱⲓ ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ⳾ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲉ̀ⲫⲣⲁⲑⲁ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲟⲩⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲁⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁ + ⲉϥⲉ̀ⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲟⲩϩⲏⲅⲟⲩⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲉⲛⲁⲁ̀ⲙⲟⲛⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥ︦ⲗ︦ ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲣϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ81 ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϣⲉⲡ ⲙ̀ⲕⲁϩ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ82 ⲛⲉⲛⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ̀ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲡⲧⲱⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲁⲇⲁⲙ⳾ ⲡⲓϩⲟⲩⲓⲧ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ

Fol.ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲃ︦ v

+ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲁⲥⲓⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲉⲩⲁ̀ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ⲁϥⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲫⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ* + ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲁϥⲁ̀ϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ̄⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲙⲟⲧ + ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓ

+ “And you also Bethlehem, the land of Ephrathah, you are not the least in the kingdom of Judah,

+ from you will come the ruler, who will govern my people Israel.”80 + Hail to Bethlehem, wherein the angels sung (of) God the Word.

+ He who took flesh from saint Mary and suffered because of our transgressions. + and He loosened the iniquity of the first man Adam through His love of mankind.

+ Through the transgression of our mother Eve, sin grew in that place.83

+ Through Mary, the grace of our Saviour, who took our form, grew. + Glory and

Micah 5:2. Grammatically incorrect; should read: ⲑⲏⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲣϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ. 82 The ⲉ is corrected over the line. 83 Meaning unclear. Perhaps paradise or earth. 80 81

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲑⲉⲟⲥ ⲓⲥⲭⲩⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦(sic) ⲁϥϧⲟⲙϧⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲁⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲥⲁⲧⲁⲛⲁⲥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲉⲣϣⲓϣⲓ⳾ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲙⲟ ⲉ̀ϫⲱϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϩⲟϯ + ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲃⲟⲏⲑⲟⲥ + ϫⲉⲙⲛⲟⲙϯ ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲧⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧⲉⲣϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ⳾ ⲉⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲛⲁⲏⲧ + ⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲣⲁϣⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϫⲓⲛⲉⲣϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦85 + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲇⲟⲝⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓ̀ⲁ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲉⲗⲉⲩⲑⲉⲣⲓⲁ86

71

+ The Mighty God, our Lord, Christ, our king, crushed the heads of Satan,

+ and by His divine power gave us the power to trample on him (Satan) without fear. + The Lord is my light, said the psalmist, the Lord is my salvation, the Lord is my helper.84 + Be comforted, and let your hearts be strong, all of you who had hope in God the merciful.

+ All souls are rejoicing by singing hymns with the Angels praising Christ the king. + Let us praise with doxologies {for} once more He gave us again freedom.

+ He tore the record of + ⲁϥⲫⲱϧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥϧⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲓϫ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲉⲩⲁ̀ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ⳾ slavery of our mother Eve and Adam His servⲛⲉⲙ ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲃⲱⲕ* Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲅ︦ r

ant

+ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥϫⲓⲛϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ϯⲉ̀ⲡⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀

Ps 27:1. Sic. Read: ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦. 86 Cf Drescher 1969–1970, pp. 250–260. 87 Gal 4:4. 84 85

+ through His incarnation from Mary in the fullness of time,87 according to the promise.

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ⳾ ⲁⲥⲙⲁⲥϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲁⲩϩⲓⲱⲓϣ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ + ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲁⲩϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲉⲙⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϫⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲓ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϯⲙⲁϯ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϯⲙⲁϯ ⲉⲫⲛⲁϩⲙⲉⲛ⳾88 ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ + ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ ϧⲁϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ

88 89

Sic. Read: ⲉⲛⲁϩⲙⲉⲛ. Luke 2:14.

+ In the city of David, the Virgin gave birth to Him. The angels announced Him.

+ They were praising and glorifying, let us praise with them and say: “Glory be to God in the highest,

+ Peace on the Earth and goodwill towards men,”89 for the Lover of mankind was glad to save us. + Glory and mighty before ages.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

73

The first letter of each part continues the previous letters ⲓ ⲕ ⲗ ⲙ ⲛ ⲝ ⲟ. ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲙⲏⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲇⲟⲕⲓⲁ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲅ︦ ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ ‫ﺗﻔﺴﲑ‬

Interpretations of Tuesday’s Theotokia, Adam.

‫ﺗﺪاﻛﻴﺔ ﻳﻮم اﻟﺜﻠﺜﺎ ادام‬

+ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϫⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ϫⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲧⲉ + From generation to generation is Your kingⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ⲟⲩⲟϩ dom,90 O our Lord, our ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ God, Christ our king.

+ ⲓⲱⲥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲃⲟⲏⲑⲓⲛ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲏⲕ⳾ ⲣⲉⲕ ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲁϣϫ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ + ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ⲉⲓϧⲉⲛ ⲑ̀ⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲡⲁⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀ ⲡ�ⲥ︦⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲅ︦ v

+ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲅⲁⲣ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉⲧⲟ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲧϣⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲑⲛⲟⲩϯ* + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲑⲉⲃⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ + ⲡⲓⲭⲗⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ⳾ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ

Ps 12:7. Ps 38: 22; 40:13; 70:1; 71:12. 92 Ps 71:6. 93 Luke 23:42. 94 Exod 15:11. 95 Phil 2:8. 90 91

+ Hasten, my God, help me,91 for I cry to You, listen to me, + You are my strength,92 since I was in the belly; remember me, O Lord in Your kingdom.93 + For who is like our God,94 among the gods who is invisible in the glory of His divinity.

+ He humbled (himself)95 because of our transgressions and took flesh from the holy Mary.

+ The crown of our pride (is) the God-bearer, who gave birth for our sake (to) God the Word.

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲧⲁⲡⲁⲣⲭⲏ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱϯ⳾ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ + ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲥ ⲫⲁⲛⲧⲁⲥⲓⲁ⳾96 ⲁⲥⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲩⲛⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ̀

+ The source of our salvation, the beautiful dove, who carried in her womb the incomprehensible one. + He, who became man without illusion, she conceived Him without intercourse.

+ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ + The Creator dwelt in ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ her womb and she gave birth to Him in a new ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ manner.

+ ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲥⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲁⲥⲟ̀ϩⲓ ⲁⲥⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ϣⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀

+ For her virginity had not been destroyed, and she remained virgin till the end.

+ ⲟⲩ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲓϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ + How this marvelous thing is unspeakable; the ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ⳾ birth of incomprehensible ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ God!

+ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲟⲛ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ⳾ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲇⲟⲝⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓⲁ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲙⲁϩⲓ ϣⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀ Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲇ︦ r

+ ⲕⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲡ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟⲓ ⲉⲛⲉⲕⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲡⲉⲕⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾* ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ

+ He who took flesh for our salvation, He is also God of the multiple mercies.

+ Let us glorify Him with doxologies: To Him is the power till the end

+ Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me your statutes,97 let Your Holy Spirit guide me,

96 The word ⲫⲁⲛⲧⲁⲥⲓⲁ is against docetic Christology which was combated by the Fathers of the Church such as Cyril of Jerusalem, Basil, and later by Severus of Antioch. 97 Ps 119:12.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲛⲉⲕϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲉϥⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲛⲁϩⲙⲉⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ + ⲁϫⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ + ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲕⲥⲉϩⲧ⳾ ⲙⲁⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟⲓ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲓϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ + ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲇⲓⲕⲉⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲁ ⲡϣⲱⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

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+ according to your mercy, to a straight path. I ask You, my God, save me by Your name.98 + Say to my soul, I am your salvation.99 By your true light, illuminate me.

+ Purify me, my God, as (You did to) the leper, in order that I might declare the honour of the mother of God. + The true bride, the daughter of the righteous, who is superior to the angels.

+ Great is the glory of + ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲱ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ your virginity, O God-bearer, saint Mary. ϯⲁⲅⲓⲁ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀

+ ϯⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲓⲕⲏ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ + The rational ladder who ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ϯⲣⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ100 ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ carried the Word.101 The holy shrub in whom there ⲉ̀ⲣⲉ ⲫϯ ⲥⲁϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ + ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ⲥⲉⲑⲓⲟϩⲓ⳾102 ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩϯϫⲣⲟϫ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲫⲓⲣⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥϯⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ + ⲡⲉⲥⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ ⲉϥϩⲟⲗϫ⳾ ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾

is God.

+ This is the unseeded field, which flourished and gave fruit.

+ Her sweet fruit is Immanuel, our God who is

Ps 54:1. Ps 5:5? 100 It seems from the context that the word ⲥⲧⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ is meant. The word ⲣⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ means “thorn.” Alternatively, the author wanted to make an allusion to the Bush of Moses. 101 Gen 28:12. 102 A late hand has added in the margin in Arabic: ‫ﻫﺬه ﻫﻲ اﳊﻘﻞ‬ 98 99

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲑⲛⲟⲩϯ + ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲛⲁⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ ⲡⲓⲛ̀ⲉ̀ϣⲱⲧ ϫⲉⲙϥ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲣⲅⲁⲣⲓⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲛⲁϣⲉⲛⲥⲟⲩⲉⲛϥ + ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧϥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲫⲱⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲓ⳥⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩϭⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲭⲗⲟⲙ*

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲇ︦ v

+ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ⲧⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲩϣⲟⲡ ϩⲓ ⲡϣⲁϥⲉ⳾ ⲉⲩϥⲁⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓ⳧ + ⲉⲧⲁⲩϫⲱⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲟⲩⲱⲛϧ⳾ ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲁⲩϯⲱⲟⲩ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲉ̀ⲧⲟⲛϧ + ⲗⲱⲓϫⲓ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁⲣⲟⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ + ϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲕϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ⳾ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ + ⲙⲁⲧⲁϫⲣⲟⲛ ⲫϯ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲛⲁϩϯ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϥⲓ ⲛ̀ϧⲁⲉ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲣⲓⲁ̀ⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ + ϣⲟⲡⲧⲉⲛ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲟⲛⲓ⳾ ⲉⲛⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲏⲕ ⲛⲉⲙⲁϥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲡⲉⲛⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀

103

Matt 13:45.

unseen in the glory of His Divinity. + This is the precious stone, which a merchant (man) found.103 This is the valuable pearl. + Therefore, the martyrs shed their blood and received the crowns because of Him. + And the monks, the spirit-bearers, dwelt in the desert carrying the cross.

+ When their lives came to end, they praised and glorified the living Son of God. + All evil deeds, O our Lord, Christ, take them away from us by Your goodness.

+ Grant us Your peace, Christ our king. Have mercy upon us in Your kingdom.

+ Strengthen us, O God, in the straight faith of the Trinity till the last breath.

+ Receive us to Yourself, O our Lord, like the thief; we cry to You with him: ‘Remember us, O Lord,

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲁ̀ⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ

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+ In Your kingdom.”104 Through the intercessions of the God-bearer, (we are) the humble (ones)

+ For she became a royal + ϫⲉ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲃⲁⲥⲓⲗⲓⲕⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ throne superior to all the heavenly ranks. ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲉⲡⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛⲓⲟⲛ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲉ︦ r

+ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⳾ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ *

+ Hail to the mother of God, the joy of the angels, hail to the one who guides us to paradise.

+ She, who found grace + ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϫⲉⲙϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲫϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ from God, for she carried in her womb the God of gods. ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ + Hail to you Mary, who + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲑⲏ gave birth to Jesus Christ, ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ our Lord, the king of ages for our sake.

+ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϥⲁϭⲓ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲁⲧ�ⲧⲁϩⲟϥ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲥϭⲛⲁⲩϩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥϯϭⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱϥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϣⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ⳾ ⲫⲁ ϯⲉ̀ⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ̀ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ϯⲁⲧⲑⲱⲗⲉⲃ⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉϫⲫⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀

104

Luke 23:42.

+ Hail to the one who carried the incomprehensible in her arms and fed Him. + Hail to you Mary, who are called the mother of Christ the incomprehensible.

+ Hail to you Mary, until the end (of ages), the mother of our mighty Saviour. + Hail to the unpolluted, the mother of purity, for you begot the Word the creator.

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲫⲛⲏⲃ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ⳾ ϧⲁϫⲱⲟⲩ + Lord, who is before ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ages, for He is yesterday, today, and forever.105 ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉ ⲡⲁϯϩⲟ⳾ ϧⲱⲛⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲑⲟ⳾ ⲙⲁⲕⲁϯ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲡ�ⲥ︦⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ + ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥⲓ̀ⲃⲓ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲕ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲉ︦ v

+ ⲙⲁϩⲑⲏⲕ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲃⲟⲏⲑ̀ⲓⲁ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾* ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ + ⲙⲡⲉⲣϫⲟⲥ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ϯⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲁⲛ⳾ ϫⲉ ϯⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⳾ ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ ⲁⲛ + ϫⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲟⲩⲱϣ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲙ̀ⲙⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ⳾ ⲁⲕⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ + ⲙⲱⲩ̀ⲥⲏⲥ ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲕⲧⲁⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲕⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱⲟⲩ

+ Let my cry come before You, Lord, give me understanding.106 For I sought your face.107 + Hear my prayer, Lord my God, for my soul thirsts for You.108

+ Pay attention to my help, God of my salvation; act with Your servant according to Your great mercy. + Say not to me, my God: “I do not know you,” for I do not know anyone except You.109

+ For by Your own will, Lord, You made us free from slavery.

+ Moses the prophet, come to us today, in order to inform us about what you saw.

+ Our Saviour talked with + ⲁ ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ̄ⲣ︦ ⲥⲁϫⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛϭⲏⲡⲓ His prophet from the cloud of the sky in the

Heb 13:8. Ps 119:169. 107 Ps 119:10. 108 Ps 63:1. 109 Hos 13:4; Isa 45:5–6, 21–22; 1 Cor 8:4–6. 105 106

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲅⲛⲟⲫⲟⲥ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲕⲁⲡⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲭⲁⲕⲓ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲧⲁⲫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛⲥⲉⲧⲉⲃⲣⲏϫ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛⲥⲁⲣⲁⲑⲏⲟⲩ + ⲟⲩϫⲟⲥⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲭⲣⲉⲙⲧⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲥⲙⲏ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲥⲁⲗⲡⲓⲅⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣϩⲟϯ ⲉ̀ⲙⲁϣⲱ⳾ ⲧⲟⲛⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ + ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩϣϫⲉⲙϫⲟⲙ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲟ̀ϩⲓ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲉⲛ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲱⲟⲩⲛⲓⲁϯ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ⳾ ϯⲁ̀ⲅⲓⲁ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ + ⲁⲣⲉϣⲁⲛ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⳾ ϯⲛⲓⲁⲧϥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ϛ︦ r

+ ϥⲛⲁⲭⲁⲣⲱϥ ⲙⲉⲛ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ⳾* ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲁⲧϣⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̀ⲝⲉⲣⲉⲧⲟⲛ + ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϥⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲉϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧϥ + ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲑⲣⲉϥⲉⲣⲣⲱⲙⲓ

110 111

Exod 19:19. Ps 87:3; 48:2.

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midst of darkness, + and dark smoke on the top of the mountain, lightnings and storms, + tempest and smoke and the sound of the trumpets. The people were extremely and greatly fearful.110

+ They could not stay in front of this spectacle. Blessed are you saint Mary!

+ If someone contemplates you, O holy city of the great king,111 + he would not keep silent for this unspeakable mystery and strange matter.

+ For you carried in your womb the creator of the whole {universe} the Unique God, the only lover of the mankind. + Without a human seed, He became Son of man for our salvation. After His incarnation

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁϥⲟ̀ϩⲓ ⲉ̀ϥⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲫⲏ + He remained God as ⲉ̀ⲛⲁϥⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ He was and made us worⲙ̀ⲡϣⲁ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲙϣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ thy to worship Him. + ⲛⲓⲙ ⲛ̀ⲗⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲓⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲉϥⲣⲏⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲛⲁϣϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ + ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ112 ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲉⲩⲉⲣϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲥⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ + ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀ ⲛ̀ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲟⲩⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲡⲉ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ + ⲡⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ⲫⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ ⲙ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲑ︦ ⲛ̀ⲁⲃⲟⲧ + ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲟⲝⲟⲛ⳾ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ϛ︦ v

+ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲩⲛⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ϯⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲁ⳾* ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲇⲁⲛⲓⲏⲗ⳾ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ

+ Who with a carnal tongue or awakened intelligence is able to talk about the honour of the GodBearer. + She who the men and the angels praise and sing of her beatitude.

+ The honour of the Virgin is unspeakable, for she carried our Saviour God of heaven. + Dwelling in the light, the Beloved of the Father dwelt in her womb for nine months. + In an amazing and strange manner, she gave birth to the Son, the king of ages.

+ Without intercourse according to the prophecy of Daniel concerning her Virginity.

+ He said: “I saw a + ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ⳾ mountain cut, without a ⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩϣⲁⲧϥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϫⲓϫ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ϣⲟϩ113 ⲉⲣⲟϥ touch from human hand, ⲉⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ

112 113

Sic. Read: ⲑⲏⲉⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲉⲩϩⲱⲥ. Read: ⲑⲟϩ.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲫⲱⲣϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲁϥⲙⲟϩ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓ̀ⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ + ⲁⲩϣⲉⲙϣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲥⲱⲧⲡ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲣⲏ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲛⲉϥⲙⲁⲛϩⲱⲧⲡ + ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϫⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲩⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ϩⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲉϧⲣⲏⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲑⲁⲩϣ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲙⲑⲟ + ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲡⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ̄⳾ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ⳾ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲉϥⲉ̀ⲉⲣ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ⲓⲟⲙ ϣⲁ ⲓⲟⲙ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ⲫⲓⲁⲣⲟ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲁⲩⲣⲏϫⲥ ⲛ̀ϯⲟⲓⲕⲟⲩⲙⲉⲛⲏ⳾ ⲉⲥⲁ̀ϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉϥⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ + ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲟ̀ⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲓⲉⲑⲛⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲣⲃⲱⲕ ⲛⲁϥ + ⲝⲩⲗⲟⲛ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲍⲱⲩⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫⲣⲉϥϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲱⲛϧ⳾ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲉⲧⲟⲛϧ + ⲫⲣⲉϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾

Dan 2:34, 42. Ps 68:31? 116 Ps 72:7–13. 114 115

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+ and it spread and filled the whole universe.” 114 This is Christ the Lord of the universe. + All the chosen peoples worshipped Him from sunrise to sunset.

+ As king David said: “The Ethiopians proceed to fall in front of Him.”115

+ Great is the Lord, great is His power, he (David) said, He is dominant from sea to sea + And over the river till the edge of the universe. Righteousness is spreading in His days with peace. + The kings of the earth will worship Him and all the nations will serve Him.116

+ For the tree of life and the life-giver, Jesus Christ, (is) Our God, the living Son of God. + The Saviour of the righteous, God of our Salvation, the patient,

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Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲍ︦ r

ⲡⲣⲉϥⲱⲟⲩⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ* + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϩⲓⲥⲉⲛϯ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲟⲩⲥⲟⲗⲥⲉⲗ ⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ ⲉⲧⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁⲣⲟⲛ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ⲛⲓⲥⲕⲁⲛⲇⲁⲗⲟⲛ. + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲛⲁϩϯ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲡϫⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ + ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥϫⲓⲛϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲉⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ + ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲁ̀ⲝⲓⲟⲥ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉϥϩⲟⲗϫ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ

who has great mercy, + who created heaven and earth and all their adornment by His mighty power, + who has pity upon us, He came down to save us from the scandals;

+ and guided us in the straight faith of the Orthodox (people), till the end of ages, + through His incarnation from the all-saint, the beautiful dove, the holy Mary.

+ Right and meet, O GodBearer, you bore the sweet pure fruit,

+ ⲉⲧⲁϥϫⲉⲙϯⲡⲓ117 ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ + which the Apostles, the prophets, and the martyrs ⲛⲓⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ tasted ⲛⲓⲕⲉⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓ⳥

+ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ + with the Cross-bearers, the chosen virgins, and all ⲛⲓⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ our orthodox fathers. + ⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲩⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲭⲁⲧⲟⲧⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ

117 118

Sic. Read: ⲉⲧⲁⲩϫⲉⲙϯⲡⲓ. Lit. “did not refrain from patience.”

+ All of them together were patient118 till they

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ϯϩⲩⲡⲟⲙⲟⲛⲏ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲟⲩϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ + ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉⲧⲁ̀ⲓⲟ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲕⲗⲁⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ* Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲍ︦ v

+ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲕⲩⲙⲓⲗⲗⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲁϩϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲥⲙⲟⲩⲓ̀⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲃⲃⲁ ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲥ

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became perfect.119 +Therefore, O our Lady, they spoke about your honour ,for you became a branch of purity,

+ and a vessel of orthodox faith according to the word of the young lion, our father Abba Cyril.

+ He said: “One nature, + ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲫⲩⲥⲓⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ God incarnate, the incomprehensible Word.”120 ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ.

+ ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ + ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ⳾ ⲫⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ̄ + ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉ ϩⲗⲓ⳾ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉ ϩⲗⲓ ϣϫⲉⲙϫⲟⲙ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϣⲁ121 ⲉⲛⲉϥ + ⲡⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣϧⲱⲛⲧ ⲉⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲧϯⲑⲱϣ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ

+ True light, true God, Jesus Christ, our God, shone upon the righteous.

+ God is light. Said the holy Apostle John the beloved of Christ:

+ “No one has ever seen God”122nor is one ever able to see Him, + (He) is dwelling in the unapproachable light, the incomprehensible, the unlimited.

Or: “they died.” Schwartz 1927, 6a, 117:16. ῎Εν μέν πρόσωπον καὶ υἳον Χριστὸν ὠσαύτως ὁμολοειν εὑσεβές, δύο δέ τὰς ἑνωθείσας ὑποστὰσεις ῝ειτ’ουν φύσεις λέγειν οὔκ ἀτοπον, ἀλλὰ καὶ λἱαν ἀκολουθον. Cf. also Hespel 1952, p. 132. 121 Written over the line by a different hand. 122 John 1:18. 119 120

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲱⲟⲩⲛⲓⲁ̀ϯ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϥⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲱⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲑⲛⲟⲩϯ + ⲱⲟⲩⲛⲓⲁ̀ϯ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ⳾ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲉ̀ⲙⲁϣⲱ⳾ ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲏ︦ r

+ Blessed are you, daughter of Joachim, for you were elevated more than the Cherubim.

+ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ + Rejoice Mary, who ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ϩⲁⲛⲁⲛϣⲟ ⲛ̀ϣⲟ⳾ thousands of thousands of the angels overshadow. ⲥⲉⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲥ* + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ϩⲱⲓ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲡⲉ ϯⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ + ⲱ̀ⲟⲩⲛⲓⲁ̀ϯ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ̄ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛⲥⲙⲟⲩ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ + ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ ⲣⲟ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲡⲉⲛⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀ ϩⲱⲛ⳾ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲉⲛ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ̄ + ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥⲭⲱ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲛ⳾ ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛⲇⲟⲝⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓ̀ⲁ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ϣⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ

123

+ Blessed are you Mary, the mother of God, for you carried in your womb the fire of divinity.

Ps 87:3; 48:2.

+ Also you Mary, you are the holy city of the great king,123 the dwelling of the saints. + Blessed are you Mary, the queen, the mother of Light, Christ, our king. + Hail the one who carried the creator. We praise you with odes and blessings.

+ We ask you, the humble ones, and remember us in front of Christ the king. + So that He may forgive our transgressions, for we have nothing other than your intercessions.

+ Let us glorify Him with doxologies. To Him belongs the power forever.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

85

The first letter of each part follows the inverse alphabetical order ϯ ϭϫϩϧϥϣ ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲙⲏⲛⲓⲁ̀ ⲛ̀ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲟⲕⲓⲁ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲇ︦ ⲃⲁⲧⲟⲥ ‫ﺗﻔﺴﲑ‬ ‫ﺗﺪاﻛﻴﺔ ﻳﻮم اﻻرﺑﻌﺎ واﻃﺲ‬

+ ϯⲛⲁⲙⲉⲛⲣⲓⲧⲕ ⲡ�ⲥ̄︦ ⲧⲁϫⲟⲙ⳾ ⲡⲁⲙⲁⲛⲫⲱⲧ ⲡⲁⲣⲉϥϣⲟⲡⲧ ⲉⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫⲛⲁϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲉⲣϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ + ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲁⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲏⲧ⳾ ⲣⲉⲕ ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲁϣϫ ⲉ̀ⲡⲁϯϩⲟ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲁ ⲫⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ

Fol.ⲥ︦ⲡ︦[ⲏ︦ v

+ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ* ϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧϩⲏⲕⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕⲓ + ⲛⲁⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ̀ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲕⲉⲣⲡⲟⲩⲙⲉⲩ̀ⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ + ⲁⲙⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲱ̀ ⲛⲁⲙⲉⲛⲣⲁϯ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲓⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ126 ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ

Ps 18:1–2. Ps 116:16. 126 The ⲧⲉ is written by a different hand. 124 125

Interpretation of Wednesday’s Theotokia, Batos. + I love You, Lord, my strength and my refuge, my deliverer, my God, my helper,124 and the protector of those who had hope in Him.

+ I ask You, my Saviour, the merciful and one who is full of pity; bend Your ear to my supplication and illuminate my heart. + Hearken to my prayer, Lord, and look upon my poverty for I am Your servant and the son of Your handmaid.125

+ Do not remember my transgressions in Your great mercy and through the prayers and intercessions of the true bride. + Come all, O my beloved, let us glorify this Virgin Mary, the daughter of Joachim, for she is

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲛϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲩⲙⲫⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ + ⲫⲣⲉϥϩⲓⲥⲉⲛϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̀ⲝⲉⲣⲉⲧⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲓϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ + ⲛⲓⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲫⲩⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲏⲣⲟⲛ⳾ ⲥⲉϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲓⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ + ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲁⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲉⲍⲉⲕⲓⲏⲗ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉ ϩⲗⲓ ϣⲉ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥ︦ⲗ︦

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲑ︦ r

+ ⲁϥϣⲉ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϯⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲥ* ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲧⲉⲥⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ̀ ϣⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲁⲥⲟϩⲓ ⲉⲥϣⲟⲧⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲥⲣⲏϯ + ⲫϯ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁ ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾

The meaning here is not clear. Ezek 43:4; 44:1–2. 129 Lit. “remained shut in its manner.” 127 128

the pride of our race. + She (who) carried the incomprehensible Word, our Lord, who became the bridal chamber of the pure bridegroom.

+ The creator of this time (is) God of the Angels, because of this strange matter and unspeakable marvel.127

+ All the ranks in heavens and those of intellectual natures proclaim the honour of this Virgin, the mother of God of ages.

+ This is the gate facing East according to the word of Ezekiel; no one but the God of Israel shall go through it.128 + He entered and left without breaking the seal and her Virginity remained inviolate forever.129 + God the Father, the Almighty, had mercy upon our race and sent His Only-Begotten at the

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

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ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ ⳾ end of times.130 ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ + ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲩⲛⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ̀ ⲛ̀ⲅⲁⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲟⲛ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲑⲣⲉϥⲙⲁⲥϥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲟϩⲓ131 ⲟⲛ ⲉⲥⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ

+ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ132 ⲧⲁⲓⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛϩⲱⲇⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϯⲛⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ +ϭⲱⲣⲡ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲃⲁⲗ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲁⲫⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲓϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ

+ ⲧⲉⲛϭⲓⲥⲓ ̀ⲙⲙⲟ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ⲱ ⲧⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲁⲡϣⲱⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲣⲭⲏ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ, ⲛⲓϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲙⲉⲧ�ⲥ︦ + ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϣⲟⲣⲡ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ133 ⲛⲓⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲓⲟϯ ⲛ̀ⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲇⲓⲕⲉⲟⲥ

+ He took flesh from the Virgin without marital intercourse, and she remained Virgin after giving Him birth.

+ Let us glorify this Virgin Mary, the God-bearer, with some odes and hymns from now unto eternity. + Open my eyes, O Lord, and illuminate my intellect for (the sake of) Your name full of glory so that that I might proclaim the honour of the God-Bearer.

+ We praise you with all our hearts, O Lady, mother of our Lord, who is above all the authorities, the powers and the lordships + The prophets of old, the chosen patriarchs, our lords, fathers, the Apostles, and the just and the righteous

Gal 4:4. The ⲓ is added by the scribe’s hand. 132 The ⲧⲉ is added over the line by a different hand. 133 The ⲙ is corrected over the line by the scribe himself. 130 131

88

Fol. ⲥ︦ⲡ︦ⲑ︦ v

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀ ⲉⲑⲃⲏϯ⳾* ⲱ ϯⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫϯ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲉⲗⲥⲱⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲟ ⲛ̀ⲣⲏϯ⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ +ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲁϥⲕⲓⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲕⲩⲑⲁⲣⲁ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲕ ⲉ̀ⲣⲉ ⲫⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ + ⲥⲱⲗⲟⲙⲱⲛ ⲁϥⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲧⲁⲥⲱⲛⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲁϣⲫⲉⲣ⳾ ⲧⲁⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ ⲓ︦ⲗ︦ⲏ︦ⲙ︦ + ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲑⲃⲏϯ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲥⲉⲙⲟϣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ + ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲕⲉ ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⳾ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲧⲁϩⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲫϯ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲉϫⲫⲟϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ + ϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ⳾ ϩⲱⲥ ⲉⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ

Song 4:7,9; 5:2; 6:4. Isa 60:3. 136 Ps 149:1. 134 135

+ spoke about your honours, O City of God, who is adorned in many ways, the mother of the God of gods.

+ David played his cithara and sung thus: “Indeed, you are the dwelling of all the rejoicing.”

+ Solomon called you, Mary the daughter of Joachim: “My sister, my friend, my true city Jerusalem134 + The prophet spoke about the mother of light: “All kings of the earth walk in your light.”135

+ Truly and worthy are you mother of Christ, the unperceivable light, who illuminates his people. + Let us praise our Saviour, God, whom you (Mary) begot with glory and honour; we worship him and glorify Him.

+ Sing to the Lord a new song;136 let the whole earth praise the Lord,

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ Fol. ⲥ︦� r

+ ⲥⲟⲙⲥ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ⳾* ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲏⲓ ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲁ ⲫⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲃⲁⲗ + ⲱ̀ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉϥⲙⲱⲟⲩⲧ⳾ ⲉⲕⲉⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲥⲧⲉⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕϫⲟⲙ⳾ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ⳾ ⲭⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϫⲟⲙ + ⲱ̀ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϧⲟⲙϧⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲓⲇⲱⲗⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉⲧϣⲉⲙϣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓ ⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧϫⲱⲃ⳾ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧⲉ̀ⲙⲓ + ⲓⲥ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲕ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲡⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ⳾ ⲁϥϩⲟⲛϩⲉⲛ ⲛⲁⲕ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲧⲱⲛⲕ ϭⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫⲱⲧ ⲉ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ϣⲁ ϯϫⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲕ + ⲏⲥⲁⲏⲁⲥ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ϧⲣⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩϭⲏⲡⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲓ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲧⲁⲗⲏⲟⲩⲧ 138 ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲥ

Matt 2:13. The ⲧ is erased. 139 Isa 19:1. 137 138

89

whose name is full of glory, Lord God of the whole (creation).

+ Look, Lord and hear me, my Lord Jesus, forgive me, for I have nothing except You. Illuminate my eyes + O you who raised the dead, raise us by Your power. Holy are you, my God, and holy, holy are you, Lord of hosts. + O you who crushed the idols worshipped by the Egyptians, have mercy upon my humility and forgive my ignorance. + Behold, the Angel said to You. O Joseph, he commanded you: “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, till I tell you.”137

+ Isaiah, with a great voice, testified saying: “I saw a light-cloud and the Lord is carried on it.”139

90

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁϣ ⲧⲉ ϯϭⲏⲡⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲣⲟ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ⳾ ⲁ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲉⲣⲧⲉⲭⲛⲓⲧⲏⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲉⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦140 ⲉ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ϯϭⲏⲡⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲓ̀ⲱⲟⲩ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲱ̀ⲗⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ

Fol. ⲥ︦� v

+ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲱ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ* ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϫⲫⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ + ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲟⲟⲩ +ϩⲱⲥ ⲉⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ⳾ ϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ⳾ ϩⲓϣⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ142 ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲡϫⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ + ⲡⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲁϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ

140 Sic.

Read: ⲑⲏⲉⲧⲁⲥⲉⲛ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦. Heb 13:8. 142 The ϩⲓ is written over the line. 143 Ps 96:1–2. 141

+ What is the cloud except you O Mary, the queen, for the Father created you, O you who brought Christ to Egypt. + You are the lightcloud, you who carried the king of glory, who saved our souls from the slavery to the Evil (one). + Hail to you O Virgin, you are the pride of our race, for you begot the True Lord, the God of our salvation.

+ The Word, the Son of the Father, Jesus Christ to whom is the great glory, in one hypostasis, for He is (the same) yesterday and today.141 + Sing to the Lord a new song, sing to the Lord, bless His name, announce His salvation143 till the end of ages. + He who dwelt before ages and remains forever and till the end of the ages, he who came and saved us.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲧⲁϩⲟϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̀ⲙⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁϥ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥⲥⲉⲃⲧⲱⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲉ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ϣⲁ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ⳾ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲛϩⲟⲧ + ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲧⲉ ϯⲇⲓⲙⲏ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲕⲙ̀ⲡϣⲁ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ ϫⲉ ⲁⲕϩⲓⲱⲓϣ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲟⲛⲟϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲁ︦ r ⲗ︦

+ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ ϣⲟⲩⲛ̀ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲁⲕⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲱⲧⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲁⲕⲉⲣϩⲏⲧⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓ*ⲭⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲙⲟⲧ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϣⲟⲡ ⲛⲉⲙⲉ⳾ ⲁⲣⲉϫⲓⲙⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲧⲉⲣⲁⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ + ⲁⲥϣⲑⲟⲣⲧⲉⲣ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲡⲱⲥ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ ϩⲟⲗⲱⲥ146

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+ Through His unperceivable incarnation, by His own will, He made us one with Him. We praise and glorify Him.

+ He who sent Gabriel in order to prepare the bridal chamber, came to Mary,144 the entrusted Virgin. + You had been worthy of great honour, O Gabriel, for you delivered news to the God-Bearer with joy and gladness.

+ Your face beamed with joy when you talked to her with a content heart. You started with a greeting: “Hail to you who are full of grace, + and the Lord is with you, for you found grace, and you will give birth to the Holy Word, the Son of God.” 145

+ The Virgin was troubled by the word of the Angel: How could this have happened to me as I have not ever known a man.

144 The Coptic has “Mariam” instead of “Maria.” The final letter has apparently been added for the sake of rhythm. 145 Luke 1:26–35. 146 Another hand has written over the line: ‫ اﻟﺒﺘﺔ‬،‫ﻗﻂ‬

92

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲉⲣϩⲟϯ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ⳾ ⲁ̀ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲓ̀ ⲉ̀ϫⲱ⳾ ⲟⲩϫⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲛⲁⲙⲁⲥϥ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϫⲉ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲓⲥ ϯⲃⲱⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ̄⳾ ⲉⲥⲉ̀ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲁϫⲓ + ⲁⲥϫⲫⲟϥ ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲟⲛ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲑⲣⲉⲥⲙⲁⲥϥ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲥⲟ̀ϩⲓ ⲟⲛ ⲉ̀ⲥⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲟ ⲛ̀ⲣⲏϯ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲥⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲁ ⲫϯ ⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϩⲏ⳾ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲥ ⲛ̀ϩⲟⲩⲓ̀ϯ

Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲁ︦ v

147 148

+ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲉⲙⲁⲛ⳾148 ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ* + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ

Heb 1:1–2. Sic. Read: ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲛ.

+ “Do not be afraid, Mariam, the Holy Spirit will descend upon you and the power of the Highest will overshadow you, + (the one) who will be born from you will be called the Son of God.” “Behold I am the maid of the Lord, let it be to me according to your word.

+ She conceived in the flesh according to the word of the Angel and she remained a Virgin even after childbirth.

+ God has spoken in many ways and different manners since the beginning. He talked to our fathers by the prophets and the first patriarchs,147 + and in this time, He has talked to us by His Son, Jesus Christ, according to the word of the allwise Apostle Paul. + He is the one who shone in the flesh from the God-Bearer at the end of ages in order to save His people.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲟⲩϣⲁⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲕⲟⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲅⲁⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ + ⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲛⲉ̀ⲥⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲣⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ϩⲓⲱⲓϣ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϫⲓⲛⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ + ⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲓⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲉⲩⲥⲟⲡ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲱ̀ ϯⲡⲁ̄ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲱ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡϣⲁⲗ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲇⲩⲙⲓⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲓⲕⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ⲁ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲛⲁⲓ

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+ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ϯⲣⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ149 ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲙⲱⲩ̀ⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ϯⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲏⲧⲉ⳾* ⲉⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲥⲏⲥ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ

Exod 3:1–5.

93

+ Virginal feast, a great mystery, an unmarried Virgin gave birth to the God of the Ages. + Behold, the angels announce to the shepherds (men), the birth of the king of Glory, who is Christ, my Lord.

+ Rejoice and be happy with this Virgin, men and angels, for this unspeakable marvel is at the same time a mother and a Virgin.

+ Hail to you ,Virgin Mary, the God-bearer. Hail to the pure turtledove who gave birth to our Saviour.

+ Hail to the one who received her God the Creator. Hail to the intellectual paradise of Christ. + Hail to the gate of Heaven, Mary the true bride. We ask you to open the gates of mercy for us.

+ Hail to the holy shrub, seen by Moses. Hail to the rational ladder seen by the patriarchs.

94

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲟⲧⲉⲛ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ⳾ ⲁ ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲙ̀ⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ

+ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ϣⲁⲩϣⲁⲕ150 ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛϩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϫⲓⲛⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲁⲩϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲛⲉ̀ⲥⲱⲟⲩ + ⲁⲩⲱϣ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϯⲙⲁϯ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ + ϥϩⲟⲗϫ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧϫⲱⲃ⳾ ϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧⲁⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ + ⲱ ⲫⲣⲉϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲗⲗⲉⲩ⳾ ϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲱ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲧⲟⲩⲛⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓϭⲁⲗⲉⲩ⳾ ⲙⲁⲧⲁϫⲣⲟⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ + ⲁⲣⲓⲧⲧ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲧⲉⲗⲱⲛⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲣⲛⲏ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏ

Read: ϭⲁⲕ. Luke 2:14. 152 Ps 135:3. 150 151

+ Hail to you from us, O you who will give birth to Emmanuel; those in heaven and earth rejoice gladly with you.

+ The Angels used to flap their wings because of the birth of the king of glory, they praised and glorified God with the shepherding men, + proclaiming and saying: “Glory be to God in the highest and peace on Earth and goodwill toward men.151 + Your holy name is pleasant,152 O our good Lord, have mercy upon my weakness and have pity upon my humility. + O guide of the blind, guide me to Your kingdom; O you who made the lame stand up, give me strength by Your power.

+ Treat me like the publican and the harlot woman through the prayer of the meek God-bearer Virgin.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

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+ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲇ︦ⲁ︦ⲇ̄ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲧⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥⲟ̀ϩⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲁⲧⲥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ⳾ ⲥⲁⲟⲩⲓⲛⲁⲙ* ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ + ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲡⲁⲣⲁ ⲛⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲇⲓⲕⲉⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡϭⲓⲥⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲭⲱⲣⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ + ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲣϩⲟϯ ϧⲁ ⲧⲉϥϩⲏ + ⲱⲟⲩⲛⲓⲁϯ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲫⲉⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ + ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲉⲧⲁϥϫⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ϥⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲉⲣⲫⲉⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϥⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲥⲓⲱⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲓ̀︦ⲗ︦ⲏ︦ⲙ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ϯⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲧⲉ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ + ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ⳾ ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϫⲫⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ

Ps 45:10. Ps 90:17 ; 27:4; 46:4. 155 Ps 48:1 ; 87:7. 153 154

95

+ David the psalmist said concerning our Lady the God-bearer: “the queen stands at your right (hand), king.”153

+ Great is the honour of Mary in comparison to the just, the righteous, the ranks of the highest, and all the choirs of angels. + (She) who carried in flesh the Lord, God, the Word, of whom the angels are afraid.

+ You are truly blessed, Mary, the true bride who became a temple to the One of the Trinity.

+ Accordingly, the psalmist David said: “Holy is your temple and truly amazing.”154 + You are Sion and Jerusalem, you are the holy city, the city of our God,155 O holy of the holies.

+ In you is the joy of all the righteous, for you begot the True Lord, God of gods.

96

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ϣⲁ ⲑⲛⲁⲩ ϫⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲕ̀ⲓⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲱⲃϣ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ Ⲓ̄ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧⲉⲙⲓ*

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+ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲥⲩⲛⲭⲱⲣⲓⲛ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲣⲟ ̀ⲙⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲁⲫⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ + ϯⲛⲁⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲫⲛⲟⲩⲛⲓ157 ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲧⲁⲣⲧⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲁⲕⲉⲛⲧ ⲉ̀ⲡϣⲱⲓ + ⲏ̀ⲥⲁⲏ̀ⲁⲥ ⲁϥⲱϣ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ + ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲍⲁⲃⲟⲩⲗⲱⲛ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲓⲉⲫⲑⲁⲗⲓⲙ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲏⲣ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲓⲟⲣⲇⲁⲛⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲟⲙ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ + ϯⲅⲁⲗⲓⲗⲉⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉⲑⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϩⲉⲙⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲭⲁⲕⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲛⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ

Ps 13:1. Read: ⲫⲛⲟⲩⲛ. 158 Isa 9:1–2. 156 157

+ For how long will you forget me O Lord? Forever?156 Because of my sins, my Lord Jesus, forgive me all the sins of my ignorance. + For truly I have sinned against you, pardon (me) my true king, and illuminate my intellect with the true light. + I will declare Your name, Your mercy, and Your righteousness; my God elevated me from the depth of the abyss.

Isaiah cried by the Spirit the comforter when he saw our salvation, saying thus: + “the land of Zebulun and Naphtali, and the shore of the Jordan, and the way of the sea.”158 This is the word of the prophet. + A great light shone upon Galilee of the nations, on those who sit in the darkness, through Mary the mother of God.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ⳾ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ

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+ ϣⲁⲩϣⲁⲕ159 ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉⲛϩ ⲉⲩⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲉⲡⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛⲁⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲁⲩϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ160 ⲡⲁⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ*161

+ ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲧⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲁ ⲟⲩⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲁϥϧⲑⲁⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲥⲁⲣⲝ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲁⲥϥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲫⲩⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ + ⲟⲩⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲟⲧⲉⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁϥ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ

+ Jesus Christ the king of glory, whose name is full of glory, took flesh from her during the latter days. + The heavenly ranks used to flap their wings, praising and glorifying God for this great mystery. + For the One without flesh was incarnated and the timeless one became temporal, and the Word was thick,162 which (means) the Word became flesh.

+ To Him the Virgin Mary gave birth with one unique Hypostasis and one unique Nature. + An unspeakable mystery, God who rests within His saints,163 became truly son of men. + Jesus Christ is yesterday and today and He is (the same) forever.164 We

Read: ϣⲁⲩϭⲁⲕ. Arabism, a literal translation for ‫ﻋﲆ‬ 161 `ⲙ̀ⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ is written under the line with a different hand. 162 I.e. “He became concrete.” 163 Ps 89:7; 132:13–14. 164 Heb 13:8. 159 160

97

98

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϯⲛⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲓⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦

worship and glorify Him now and forever. + Let us glorify this Virgin.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

99

The first letter of each part continues the inverse alphabetical order ⲱⲯⲭⲫⲩⲧⲥ ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲙⲏⲛⲓⲁ̀ ⲛ̀ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲟⲕⲓⲁ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉ︦ ⲃⲁⲧⲟⲥ ‫ﺗﻔﺴﲑ‬ ‫ﺗﺬاﻛﻴﺔ ﻳﻮم اﳋﻤﻴﺲ واﻃﺲ‬

+ ⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲓⲟ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲥⲉⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥⲉⲣⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲥ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ

Fol. ⲥ︦ϥⲇ︦ r

+ ⲡⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲁϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ⳾ ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟ̀ⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲥϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⳾* ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ + ⲕⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲙⲁⲧⲥⲁⲃⲟⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉⲕⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ ϫⲱⲗϫ ⲉ̀ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙⲁⲧⲁⲛϧⲟⲓ + ⲁⲕⲉⲣⲙ̀ⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϣⲑⲟⲣⲧⲉⲣ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁⲓⲁⲓⲧⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϩⲏⲧ + ϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉⲕⲙⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀⳾ ⲱ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϫⲓϫ

Ps 119:12. Ps 119[118]:25[18]. 167 Ps 119:170. 165 166

Interpretation of Thursday’s Theotokia, Batos. + All glory and all honour are worthy of the Father, the Son, and the Spirit, the Comforter. We praise Him (God) with a new song.

+ He (God) who is before ages, one divine consubstantial Trinity, we worship and glorify Him. + Blessed are You, Lord, instruct me in Your righteousness,165 according to Your mercy; for my soul sticks to the earth,166 according to Your word. Vivify me.167 + My spirit was saddened and my heart was troubled because of my multiple sins which I committed in ignorance. + Guide me in Your path, O (You) who guided his people by the

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ + ⲁ ⲫϯ ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲃⲱⲕ ⲙⲱⲩ̀ⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲇⲓⲁⲙ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓ ⲡϣⲁϥⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲃⲁⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲁϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ + ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁϥ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲕⲓⲟϯ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲕⲉⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ⲙⲁϣⲉⲛⲁⲕ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϩⲟϯ

Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲇ︦ v

+ⲉⲑⲣⲉⲕⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲧϫⲓϫ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲁⲣⲁⲱ̀⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϭⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ* ⲡⲣⲉϥⲉⲣϩⲉⲙⲓ + ⲁϥⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥ︦ⲗ︦ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲃⲟⲣⲃⲉⲣ ⲙ̀ⲫⲁⲣⲁⲱ̀⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ϣⲁⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ + ⲡⲓⲃⲁⲧⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓ ⲡϣⲁϥⲉ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲃⲉ + ϯⲣⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲭⲣⲱⲙ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲱⲕϩ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ

hands of Moses and Aaron, according to the word of the psalmist.168

+ God appeared to his servant Moses in the land of Madian; out of the burning bush in the wilderness,169 + He spoke to him saying: “I am the God of your fathers. There is none other than Me. Go without fear,

+ in order to save the people from the hands of the Egyptians and Pharaoh’s slavery. Take with you Aaron the guide.”170 + Moses took Israel out of the land of Egypt and cast Pharaoh and all his forces in the Red Sea.

+ The bush, which Moses saw in the desert, symbolised the wise Virgin Mary: + The thorn (bush) engulfed in fire (yet) its

Ps 77:20. Lit. “in the bush in the manner of fire,” cf. Ex. 3:2–6. 170 It seems that it is a liturgical title, a translation from the Greek word ⲕⲩⲃⲉⲣⲛⲉⲧⲏⲥ a title of Severus of Antioch, which would mean here the priest? 168 169

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲛⲉⲥⲕⲗⲁⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲛⲟⲩⲛ ⲛ̀ⲓⲉⲥⲥⲉ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ + ⲙ̀ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲱⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲑⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲣⲱⲕϩ ⲛ̀ⲑⲛⲉϫⲓ ⲛ̀ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲣⲏϯ⳾ ϣⲁⲧⲉⲛ ⲫⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧϥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲟⲛ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲑⲣⲉⲥⲙⲁⲥϥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲟ̀ϩⲓ ⲟⲛ ⲉ̀ⲥⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲙⲁⲧ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲱ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ + ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲱ ϯⲃⲱ ⲛ̀ⲁⲗⲟⲗⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ

Fol. ⲥ︦ϥⲉ︦ r

+ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ϩⲱⲥ ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ* +ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲛⲓϣϯ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲣⲁⲙⲁ̀ⲟ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲓⲃϯ⳾ ⲉⲛⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲏϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϩⲟϯ⳾ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ

Lit. “our condition.” Heb. 4:15; 9:28. 173 Cf. Burmester 1973, p. 164. 174 Gal 4:4. 171 172

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branches were not consumed. (Mary), out of the root of Jesse, carried the Word. + The fire of His divinity did not burn the womb of the Mother of God. And He became man like us,171 yet without sin.172

+ And she remained Virgin after she gave Him birth. Blessed are you, the perfect one, O Mary the Virgin.

+ We truly glorify you, O true Vine,173 because for our (sake), you gave birth to the true God, Jesus Christ the king of glory,

+ Who had pity upon us in the fullness of the ages.174 He came and saved us, as (he is) Benefactor and lover of mankind.

+ Let us glorify His greatness and His unchangeable, abundant (gifts), proclaiming without fear in front of Him: “Have mercy upon us according to Your great Mercy.”

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲥⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲗⲁⲥ⳾ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲥⲉϩⲱⲥ ⲛ̀ϯⲙⲉⲧⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ̄ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲥⲟⲗⲥⲉⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲫⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ϯⲟⲓⲕⲟⲩⲙⲉⲛⲏ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲥⲟⲫⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲉⲛ ⲁⲩⲣⲏϫⲥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲏ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧϥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓϭⲏⲡⲓ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲙⲟϩ ⲧⲏⲣϥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲧⲟⲗⲏ⳾ ⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϥⲙⲁϩϥ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲁⲛϣϣⲏⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉϥϯⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀ ⲛ̀ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲉⲩⲁ̀ ⲧⲉⲛϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲭⲁⲩ ⲛ̀ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧϥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱⲟⲩ

Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲉ︦ v

175

+ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓϣϣⲏⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲧϥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲭⲏ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧϥ* + ⲉⲩⲁ̀ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲁⲩ ⲁϥⲉⲣϩⲁⲗ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓϫⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲥⲁⲧⲁⲛⲁⲥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲟⲩⲱⲙ

Gen 2:17; 3:3.

+ All souls speaking in languages, men and angels, praise the goodness of our Lord Jesus Christ. + By His unlimited wisdom, He beautifully adorned the heaven with stars, which illuminate the World, + and through His power, He established the earth and all therein, the clouds of the sky, the sea and all its fullness. + And in the East, He created the paradise and He filled it with joy and fruit-giving trees.

+ And He created our father Adam and our first mother Eve. He let them in it (the paradise) because of His Love for them.

+ And He said to Adam: “Look! Only from this tree, which is in the midst of the paradise, you shall not eat.”175 + The enemy deceived our mother Eve. She ate from the fruit, as did her

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲉⲥϩⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲥ + ⲁϥϩⲓ ⲡϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ϧⲣⲏⲓ ⲉⲡⲁⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲉⲑⲙⲟϩ ⲛ̀ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ177 ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲡⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲙⲁϣⲑⲁⲙ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ + ϣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲏⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲫϯ ⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏⲧϥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲟⲩ + ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲁⲡⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ + ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲛ + ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛ̀ⲉⲥⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲏ̀ⲧⲟⲛ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓϣϣⲏⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲛϧ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲓⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲁⲛⲟⲩⲱⲙ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲛⲱⲛϧ

103

husband Adam.176 + The Lord God banished them (and sent them) to the end of this world, full of pain and sufferings. The gate of the paradise was closed

+ until the preset time by Go. Fulfilled according to His great mercy, He had pity upon them. + By the time of the annunciation, He sent His Only-Begotten Son who took flesh from the holy Mary for our salvation.

+ The pride of all the Virgins (is) the mother of God of the ages, who gave us His holy Body and His true blood.

+ This is the spiritual shepherd, this is the tree of life, this is the bread of life, we ate (it) and lived.

+ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲉ̀ⲩⲁ⳾ + Because of the transgression of Eve, the gate of ⲁⲩⲙⲁϣⲑⲁⲙ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲟ the Paradise was closed. It ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲟⲩⲱⲛ was reopened for us through the God-Bearer,

176 177

Lit. “with her.” Read: ⲗⲩⲡⲏ. The actual spelling means “gates.”

104

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ

Fol. ⲥ︦︦�ϛ︦ r

+ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲁⲧ�ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲟⲩⲟϩ* ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ⳾ ϯϩⲓⲏⲃⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲕⲁⲕⲓⲁ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲓⲏⲃ178 + ⲭⲱⲗⲉⲙ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲭⲁⲣⲱⲕ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ + ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲁⲣⲓⲡⲁⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥϧⲱⲗ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲁϣⲃⲱⲃⲓ⳾ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲧⲁⲕⲟⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲃⲓ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲧⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲛ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲫϯ + ⲁϣ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲓⲉ ⲁϣ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϫⲓ⳾ ⲓⲉ ϫⲓⲛⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉⲑⲛⲁ�ϥⲁⲓ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ

+ who gave birth to our Saviour. The unseen God came and saved us. We worship and glorify Him.

+ Hail, rejoice Mary, the all-holy bride, the lamb without vice, who gave birth to the Lamb.

+ Hasten, Lord, hear me, look at me and have mercy upon me, for You are my helpe. Keep not silence towards me, O God.179

My Lord Jesus, remember me, for my throat is dry.180 I entreat You not to destroy me because of my numerous sins.

+ Let the Comforter, Your Spirit, guide me straight in this great mystery of Your Love to mankind, God!

+ Which mind and which speech or sound can comprehend the unspeakable marvelous depth of our salvation!

The ϩ is written over the line by another hand. Ps 35:22; 83:1. 180 Ps 69:3. 178 179

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲓϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϩⲓⲥⲉⲛϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲡⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲁϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ

Fol. ⲥ︦�[ϛ︦ v

+ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̀ⲙⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ* + ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ⳾ ⲱ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϯⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ⲛⲓⲙ ⲡⲉⲑⲛⲁ�ⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉⲧⲁⲓⲟ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ⳾ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲁⲕⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲣϩⲟⲩⲟ̀ ϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ + ⲫϯ ⲟⲩⲕⲣⲓⲧⲏⲥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ ⲡⲉ⳾ ϥϫⲟⲣ ⲟⲩⲣⲉϥⲱⲟⲩⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ ⲡⲉ⳾ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲉ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ + ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲙⲁϩⲑⲏⲕ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲟⲩ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲁⲕⲭⲁⲧ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲕ⳾ ⲛⲁⲓ

181

Ps 22:1–2.

105

+ Jesus Christ the eternal, the creator of the ages, who are before (all) ages and remain forever.

+ By His own will He came and became Son of man from the holy Virgin because of His great love for mankind. + What shall I call you, O queen the mother of the king, the Virgin and the mother? Who is able to talk about your honour?

+ Hail the one who for our sake gave birth to our Lord the incomprehensible one, Lord king of the ages; He dissolved the destruction of our race. + Therefore, we glorify Him, we extol Him, we ask and beseech Him to give us his peace.

+ God is the just judge, powerful and patient. Glory be to our God forever and ever. + My God, my God, listen to me, why have you forsaken me?181 Have mercy upon me, and

106

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲛⲏⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲧⲁ ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ ϫⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲕ + ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ⳾ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉ ϯⲛⲁⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱϥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲙⲉⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲓ̀ⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲧⲉϩⲛⲁϥ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲗⲁⲥ⳾ ⲁⲓϣⲁⲛⲉⲣⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲧϩⲟⲗϫ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ + ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲱ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡϣⲁⲗ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲏⲧⲉ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉϥⲥⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ

Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲍ︦ r

+ ⲟ ⲇⲓⲙⲁ185 ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯϫⲓⲛⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ* ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲁⲧϫⲣⲟϫ ⲧⲉ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲱ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲛⲁⲏⲧ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲧϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ⳾ ⲓⲥ ⲡⲉⲛⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲁϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ ⲡⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϫⲓⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓϣⲉⲙϣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲉⲧⲉⲛϩⲟⲧ

Ps 26[27]:6–8. Ps 119:10; 27:8. 184 Acts 2:26, the Psali of Friday. 185 Read: ⲧⲓⲙⲏ, meaning uncertain. 182 183

listen to me, for my heart said to You:182 + I have sought Your face,183 Lord, I will seek it. The Lord loves everyone who does His will.

+ Let my heart rejoice and let my tongue be glad184 when I remember the sweet name of our Lord Jesus Christ. + (He) who took flesh from the rational turtledove Mary, the pride of the virgins, till He saved our souls.

+ Honourable is the conception of your virginal womb, O God-Bearer without seed according to the testimony of the angels. + Hail to you O Bride, mother of the merciful Son, Jesus Christ, the Bridegroom. Behold, our joy is complete.

+ Hail to you Joseph the just who found this great grace to be in the service of our Saviour and the entrusted Virgin.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲕ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ϫⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲥϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲁⲃ + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ + ϫⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲟⲩⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲉⲥⲉ̀ⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ187 ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛⲉⲙⲁⲛ + ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ ϣⲁ ⲉϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉ̀ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϣⲁ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ + ⲉ̀ⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ⳾ Ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ Fol. ⲥ︦ϥⲍ︦ v

+ ⲩⲡⲉⲣ ⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ* ⲧⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ + ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲕⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲓ

Matt 1:20. Read: ⲉⲧⲉ. 188 Isa 7:14; Matt 1:23. 186 187

107

+ The Angel talked to you about the holy Virgin, for the one she will give birth to is of the Holy Spirit.186 + Call His name Jesus, (for) He will save His people. This happened in order that the saying of the prophet be fulfilled.

+ “Behold, a Virgin shall conceive and give birth to a son and they shall call His name Emmanuel, which is God with us”188 + Truly, Jesus Christ is the one who saved our race from Adam till today and till the end of times. + Glory is due to Him and His good Father and the Spirit, the Comforter, the consubstantial Trinity.

+ Through the prayers and the intercessions of our Lady the God-Bearer, forgive my transgressions, O our Good Lord.

+ For truly I have sinned against You. Woe to me and woe to me, Jesus Christ, my true king, I

108

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲛⲏⲓ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲁⲣⲓⲥⲩⲛⲭⲱⲣⲓⲛ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁ ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϧⲉⲛ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ

+ ⲩⲟⲥ190 ⲑⲉⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲱ̀ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲁϥⲁⲣⲉϩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲟⲝⲟⲛ + ⲱ̀ ϯϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϯⲁⲗⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲃⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲥⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ + ⲱ̀ ⲛⲓⲛⲁⲕϩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ϣⲟⲩⲉⲣϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲉⲧⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲥⲏⲟⲩ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲓϩⲱⲃ ⲛ̀ⲝⲉⲣⲉⲧⲟⲛ⳾ ⲡⲓⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲡⲁⲑⲏⲥ ϧⲁϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲉⲱⲛ + ⲁⲡⲁⲑⲏⲥ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ ϩⲱⲥ ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲃ︦⳾ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲣⲱⲙⲓ*

189 190

Gal 4:4. Sic. Read: ⲩⲓⲟⲥ.

beseech You to pardon (me).

+ (He) who had mercy upon His people in the fullness of time189 and appeared in the flesh from the bride Mary.

+ The Son of God chose you, O Bride, O Queen. Therefore, He protected you in a marvelous manner. + Unspeakable wonder, a wise Virgin maid, gave birth to God the Word and He did not destroy her Virginity. + O divine pains and the most amazing things of the God-Bearer Mary, who was Virgin at the time.

+ Let us glorify our Saviour, for this strange matter, the birth without pain from the Father, without pain before ages

+ The God-Bearer gave birth to Him without pain as a human being. He is one out of two, Divinity and humanity.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲏ︦ r

+ ϧⲉⲛ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲥⲉⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲑⲁⲣⲥⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲛⲏⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲗⲓⲃⲁⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϣⲁⲗ ⲁϥϣⲟⲡⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ + ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϥⲕⲓⲙ ⲛ̀ϯⲕⲩⲑⲁⲣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁϥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲑⲁⲣⲥⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲛⲏⲥⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲁⲛⲇⲱⲣⲟⲛ ⲛⲁϥ + ⲉϥⲉ̀ⲱⲛϧ ⲉⲩⲉϯ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲁⲣⲁⲃⲓⲁ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧϥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ϯⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀ + ⲧⲁϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲟϯ⳾ ⲙⲁⲓϥⲧ194 ⲛ̀ⲛⲁϥⲟⲩⲓ̀ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕϩⲟϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲙⲁⲛⲫⲱⲧ + ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ ⳾ ϭⲓⲥⲙⲏ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲓⲁⲃⲱⲕ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲧⲉ ⲫⲙⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙⲁϣⲑⲁⲙ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧϫⲱⲃ + ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲏⲕ ⲁⲓⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲏⲕ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ϣⲟⲡⲧⲉⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ⳾ ϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ

Lit: “in this (quality).” Ps 72:10. 193 Ps 72:15. 194 Meaning uncertain, read: ⲙⲁϩⲧⲉⲛ. 195 Ps 130:1. 191 192

109

+ To whom191 the kings, magi of Tharshish and the Isles192 worship Him and offered gold, frankincense and myrrh. He accepted them (the presents). + David the psalmist king, played his cithara: “The king of Tharsis and the Isles will bring Him presents, + May He live, May the gold of Arabia be given to Him. May prayers be made to Him continually.”193 To Him is the glory forever.

+ My God, you are my hope in the fearful day. Fix Your fear in my flesh; for You are my refuge. + Hear, Lord, my prayer, listen (O) God of Jacob, forgive me before death closes the mouth of my humility.

+ From the depth, I have cried to You.195 For Your name’s sake accept us

110

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ϧⲁⲣⲟⲛ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲛⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ

Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲏ︦ v

+ ⲧⲁϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲁⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ̄⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲓ⳾* ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲛⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲛⲁϩϯ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ + ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϣⲓⲃϯ ⲉ̀ⲁⲥⲙⲁⲥϥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ϫⲉ ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ + ⲱ ϯⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ϣⲫⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲕⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲟⲩ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ⳾ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱ̀ϣⲉⲛ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁⲥⲧⲏⲓϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ

+ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲇⲩⲙⲓⲟⲣⲅⲟⲥ⳾199 ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ⳾ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ

+ ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ⳾ ⲱ ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓ̀ⲁ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲗⲁⲙⲱⲛ⳾ 200 ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ

and have mercy upon us, for we do not know any one else except You.196

+ The Lord is my strength and my blessing,197 he who had mercy upon me and gave joy to my soul with the straight faith.

+ Through the God-bearer He took flesh from her without changing, she gave Him birth and they called His name Emmanuel.

+ What a great amazing event? For What is this new matter? She perfectly gave Him form198 of the whole mankind.

+ To God the Creator, the Word, the son of the Father without human seed, she gave Him birth in a unique Hypostasis. + What shall I call You, O precious lamp who carried the true light who illuminates us?

Hos 13:4; Isa 45:5, 6, 21, 22; 1 Cor 8:4–6. Isa 12:2. 198 Lit. “dough.” 199 Corrected over the line by another hand to ⲇⲓ. 200 Read: ⲕⲁⲗⲁⲓⲥ. 196 197

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϭⲓⲥⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ̀ⲛⲧⲉ ϣⲟⲣⲡ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ ⲛ̀ⲁⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ⲱ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲉⲩⲓⲛ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ

Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲑ︦ r

+ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲉⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭ︦ⲥ︦201 ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲉϫⲫⲟϥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉϥ* ϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲭⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ + ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲫϯ ⲉ̀ⲡⲁϯϩⲟ⳾ ϭⲓⲥⲙⲏ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲉⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲟⲩϩⲏⲕⲓ ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲕ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ + ϫⲉ ⲁⲩϩⲣⲟϣ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲓ⳾ ⲛϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲏⲧ + ⲡⲓⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲱ̀ ⲫⲏ̀ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣϩⲏⲕⲓ⳾ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲉϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲁⲙⲁⲟ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ

+ For you are truly elevated, Mary the true bride, more than the patriarchs, the righteous and the first prophets, + And our fathers the Apostles and the chosen martyrs, we ask you, O God-Bearer, to intercede on our behalf,

+ in front of Christ whom you have begotten in order that He may have pity and mercy upon our souls and forgive us our sins. + God, hear my demand and listen, O Lord to my prayer. 202 As for me, I am myself a poor one, have mercy upon our souls.203

+ Due to my ignorance, the sins became heavy. My Lord, take them away from me, O compassionate and merciful one.

+ Glory be to You, who became poor in order to make us rich. He descended from heaven and took flesh from the queen.

The ⲙ is added over the line by another hand. Ps 5:2; 28:2; 39:12; 64:1; 102:1. 203 Ps 40:17; 69:29; 70:5; 109:22. 201 202

111

112

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁϥⲱⲣⲕ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ⳾ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲟⲩⲧⲁϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾204 ϯⲛⲁⲭⲱ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ + ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲱⲣⲕ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲃⲏϯ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲧⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏⲃ ϯⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲛⲟⲩⲛⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲇ︦ⲁ︦ⲇ︦ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ Ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩ206⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲙⲏⲧⲣⲁ

Fol. ⲥ︦�ⲑ︦ v

+ ⲁⲣⲉⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ⳾ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ ⲉϥⲱϣ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾* ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲥⲟⲑⲙⲉⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲉ̀ⲫⲣⲁⲑⲁ + ϫⲉ ⲁϥϫⲓⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ208 ⲡ�ⲥ̄ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲱ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ + ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲕⲉ ⲁ̀ⲝⲓⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾209 ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ

+ The Lord has sworn to the psalmist David the king: Of the fruit of your body I will set (a king) upon your throne.205

+ This is the oath that took place through you, O my lady, the God-Bearer, for you are from the root of David the all-wise. + For you became worthy to this great glory, O Virgin, full of glory, for Jesus Christ the king of glory came and dwelt in your womb. + You gave Him birth in Bethlehem, in the land of Judah; the psalmist proclaimed, saying: “we heard of it Ephratha.”207 + For He found a dwelling place for the Lord of Jacob, that is you, O holy Mary, the holy of holies.

+ Truly and worthily you are called the mother of God who is our Lord, Christ the king, who took flesh from you.

Read: ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲕⲛⲉϫⲓ. Ps 132:11. 206 Corrected over the line by another hand: ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ. 207 Ps 132. 208 Read: ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ. 209 Read: ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦. 204 205

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲁϥⲁⲙⲟⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲓⲫⲩⲗⲏ ⲛⲓⲁⲥⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲗⲁⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲥ︦ⲗ︦ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲉⲭⲓⲁⲥ + ϫⲉ ⲉ̀ⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲛⲓϣϯ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲣⲁⲙⲁⲟ̀ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲓⲃϯ⳾ ⲉⲛⲱϣ ⲟⲩⲃⲏϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϩⲟϯ⳾ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ

+ He led His people, the tribes of many languages,210 which is the new Israel, according to the word of Micah.211

+ Glory is due to Him, His Good Father and the Spirit, the Comforter, the consubstantial Trinity.

+ Let us glorify His majesty and His unchangeable greatness, proclaiming and saying fearlessly,212 “Have mercy upon us according to Your great mercy.”

Lit. “and the languages of tongues.” I was unable to find it—perhaps an allusion to Micah 5:7–8. 212 Lit. “saying fearlessly towards Him.” 210 211

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THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

The first letter of each part continues the inverse alphabetical order: ⲣⲡⲟⲝⲛⲙⲗ ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲙⲏⲛⲓⲁ ⲛⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲓⲁ ⲛⲡⲁⲣⲉⲥⲕⲉⲩⲉ ⲏⲭ ⲃⲁⲧ ‫ﺗﻔﺴﲑ ﺗﺪاﻛﻴﺔ‬

Interpretation of Friday’s Theotokia, tune Batos.

+ ⲣⲉⲕ ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲁϣϫ ⲉⲡⲁϯϩⲟ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲙⲁϩⲑⲏⲕ ⲉⲧⲁⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲧϫⲣⲟ⳾ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ*

+ Bow down, O Lord, Your ear to my demand, and hear my support,213 for You are my strength; forgive my transgressions,

‫ﻳﻮم اﳉﻤﻌﺔ واﻃﺲ‬

Fol. ⲧ︦ r

+ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲱϣ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ̄ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ̄ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲛ̀ϯⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ⳾ ⲥⲟⲧⲧ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ + ⲫⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲱϩ214 ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ϯⲧⲣⲁⲡⲉⲍⲁ ⲙ̀ⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ⲧⲓⲕⲏ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲱⲛϧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ + ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲁⲧϣⲧⲁϩⲟϥ ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲁⲥⲟϩⲓ ⲟⲛ ⲉ̀ⲥⲟⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ + ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϩⲓⲟ̀ⲙⲓ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ ⲛⲉϥϫⲓϫ ⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟϥ

213 214

Jesus Christ, my true king, through the supplication of the All-holy, for I sin by my (own) will. Deliver me, Lord, and have mercy upon me.

+ The dwelling of the Holy Spirit, Mary the God-Bearer, the spiritual table that gave life to the World. + (She) who carried the incomprehensible one with unspeakable mystery, conceived, gave birth to Him and also remained a Virgin.

+ Blessed are you among the women, O mother of the one Who became a man in order to save mankind created by His hands.

Ps 17:6; 31:2; 71:2; 86:1; 88:2; 103:2. The ⲱ is added over the line by another hand.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϯⲫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲡⲓⲣⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϣⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲏ̀ⲥⲁⲏ̀ⲥ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲛ̀ϧⲣⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ216 ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ + ϫⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲛⲉⲛϣⲱⲛⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ϧⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲁⲃⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲗⲁϫⲗⲉϫ217 ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾218 ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲭⲏ ϧⲁ ⲛⲉϥⲧⲉⲛϩ Fol. ⲧ︦ v

+ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ * ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲙⲟϩ ⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲏ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲟⲩ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ ⲙⲡⲓⲉⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ +ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛ̀ⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲣϩⲟⲩⲟ̀ ϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲁⲡϣⲱⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲣⲭⲏ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ϣⲁ ⲉⲛⲉϩ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϯⲛⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ

+ For you are truly the new true heaven; you, the Sun of righteousness, shine on us.215 + Jesus Christ, the healer, according to the word of Isaiah the loud-voiced prophet, saying thus: + “He bore our griefs and He carried our sickness and He was bruised for our sins with the healing in His wings.” 219 +(He) Who created the heaven and earth, and the sea in all its fullness, He is the God of all.

+ We praise Him in every condition, and we always glorify Him; we exalt Him who is over all the principalities.

+ Jesus Christ is yesterday, today and forever, glory be to Him now and for ever.220

Mal 4:2. The ⲓ is written over the line by the scribe of the manuscript. 217 A different hand has added over the line: ‫واﺣﺘﻤﻞ‬ 218 A different hand has added over the line: ‫ﺧﻄﺎﻳﺎﻧﺎ‬ 219 Isa 53:3; Mal 4:2. 220 Heb 13:8. 215 216

115

116

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫ︦ϯ ⲡⲉ221 ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϭⲣⲟ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ + ⲡⲱⲟⲩ ⲫⲱⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲫⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲱ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲛ̀ⲕⲁϩⲓ + ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉ ⲛⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲧⲁϩⲟⲛ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ⳾ ⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲉⲛ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲁ︦ r

Quire ⲗ︦ⲁ︦

+ ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾* ⲧⲉⲧⲁⲓⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ

+ ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲧⲉⲛⲑⲱⲛⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ⳾ ⲱ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛⲁ ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲁ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉ ϩⲗⲓ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ⲧⲟ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ

221

Added by the scribe himself.

+ Lord, God is our king, Jesus Christ, the victorious, our hope and strength forever and ever. + Glory and might in Heaven and on earth be to You, O our good master, forgive us, the earthly (men).

+ We ask and beseech You, let Your mercies set upon us, for we have none other than You. Be patient towards us. + Let us glorify the Virgin Mary, the God-Bearer, who became a throne to the one who is on the Cherubim.

+ You are blessed more than the heaven and honoured more than the earth, you (Mary) who gave birth to the king of glory to whom belongs glory and might.

+ To Whom shall I compare you, O Mary, the queen? For nobody resembles you among the heavenly and earthly (creatures).

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲓⲥ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲥⲉϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ + ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥⲉⲣⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲣⲏϯ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲫϯ ⲉⲛⲁⲁϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟ̀ⲩⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲁϥ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣϩⲙⲟⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ϯⲙⲉⲧⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ ⲉⲥⲉⲛϣⲁϣⲓ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥϫⲓϫ ⲉⲥⲁ̀ⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥϣⲱⲃϣ ⲉⲧϫⲟⲣ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲕⲉⲗⲓ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲕⲱⲗϫ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲛⲁ ⲛⲓⲫⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲁ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲁⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ + ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ224 ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲣⲟ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲁ︦ v

+ ⲙⲁⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ ⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ⲡⲉⲕⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ * ⲙⲁⲣⲉϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲏⲓ⳾ ⲭⲱⲗⲉⲙ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲓⲱϣ ⲉ̀ⲡϣⲱⲓ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ

117

+ Behold, men and angels proclaim the honour of the God-Bearer, Mary the daughter of Joachim, the mother of God the Word. + (Jesus) Who became a man like us,222 while He is the great God. By His great mercy, He made us one with Him.

+ He granted us freedom from the bitter slavery by His mighty hand and His strong sublime arm. + All knees bow to Him, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, according to the word of the all-wise. (Paul).223 + Glory and honour be to God, the creator, Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the name of salvation, my God and my king.

+ Let Your face shine upon me, let Your holy Spirit guide me. Hasten Lord, hear me when I cry to You,

Lit. “in our condition.” Phil 2:10–5. Lit. “All knees bow to Him, the Heavenly and Earthly, and those who are under the earth.” 224 The ⲛ is added over the line by another hand. 222 223

118

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣϯϣⲓⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕⲃⲱⲕ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲉⲣϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲭⲁⲧ225 ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲕ⳾ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓϩⲃⲏⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲉⲕϫⲓϫ + ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣϯϩⲑⲏⲕ ⲉ̀ⲛⲁⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ + ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲣⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲍⲓⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲓϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲛⲁⲏⲧ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲱ̀ⲟⲩⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧ + ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϥⲥⲙⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩⲧ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲡⲓϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲱ̀ⲟⲩ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲡⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧϧⲁⲉ̀ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲙⲏⲧⲣⲁ + ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲁϥϭⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛⲥⲁⲣⲝ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ ⲱ ϯⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲛⲟⲩϥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙⲁϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ

225 226

Read: ⲙⲡⲉⲣⲭⲁ. Dan 7:13.

+ and do not put to shame Your slave, who trusted You. God, do not abandon the work of Your hands.

+ Do not pay attention to my transgressions, through the prayers and intercessions of the true bride Mary, the ever Virgin. + We bless this bride, Mary the mother of the merciful, Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the utmost mercy, the patient God.

+ Blessed are you, Mary forever and ever, blessed is Your eternally great fruit.

+ Jesus Christ, great glory be to Him, the Ancient of Days226 in the end of days came out of your womb. + For He took our flesh from you, O Virgin and gave us what is His; the Spirit, the Comforter,

+ and He made us one with Him in a great mystery through His holy

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲛⲟϥ ⲛ̀ⲁ̀ⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲛ Fol. ⲧ︦ⲃ︦ r

+ ⲉⲧⲁⲛϭⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲟⲩ⳾ ⲁⲛⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ* ϩⲓⲧⲟⲧⲟⲩ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲛϭⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲑⲃⲏⲧⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲱⲛϧ ⲉⲑⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ + ⲁϣ ⲛ̀ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲓⲉ ⲁϣ ⲛ̀ϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲓⲉ ⲁϣ ⲙ̀ⲙⲉⲧⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲡϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉⲛⲛⲁⲧⲏⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧϣⲉⲃⲓⲱ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥϩⲙⲟⲧ + ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲱ̀ ⲛⲁⲙⲉⲛⲣⲁϯ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲉⲣⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱϯ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙⲉⲛⲉⲛⲥⲁ ⲑⲣⲉϥⲉⲣⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲕⲉ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ +ⲝⲁⲡⲓⲛⲁ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲉⲥⲛⲁⲓ̀ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫⲓⲁⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲱⲙ⳾ ⲉϥⲛⲁⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲑⲟ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲭⲛⲁⲟⲩⲱⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲕⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲥⲙⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϩⲁⲛⲥⲁⲗⲡⲓⲅⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲩⲉ̀ⲑⲱⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲇⲓⲕⲉⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲥⲁ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ + ⲁⲩϣⲉ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉ̀ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲛⲉⲙⲧⲟⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲩⲣⲟⲑⲃⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲕⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲩⲙⲁϣⲑⲁⲙ228 ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲟ

227 228

Lit. “and after becoming man.” Coptic problematic, read: ⲁⲩϣⲑⲁⲙ.

119

Body and His true Blood. + When we receive them, we became purified by them and, because of them, we receive the remaining life.

+ What blessings or hymns or thanksgiving shall we offer to our Saviour in return of His grace?

+ Let us glorify, O my beloved one, the one who became a man for our salvation and remained God even after the incarnation,227 for He is God.

+ Suddenly, O my king, Your kingdom will come before You and the river of fire will precede, + and You will send Your Angels with the sound of trumpets gathering the righteous among the evil (ones).

+ They entered the place of rest and reclined in the kingdom. Woe to me and woe to me for the door is closed.

120

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲏⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ϯⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲏⲗ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϯⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϯⲙⲁⲩ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲃ︦ v

+ ⲁ ⲟⲩⲙⲏϣ ⲛ̀ⲥϩⲓⲙⲓ ϭⲓ ⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ⳾* ϫⲉ ⲁⲥⲙ̀ⲡϣⲁ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ + ϯⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲙ̀ⲯⲩⲭⲟⲛ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁϩⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉⲱ̀ⲛ ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲛⲉϫⲓ + ⲁⲥⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲙ̀ ⲑ︦ ⲛ̀ⲁⲃⲟⲧ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲉⲧⲉⲛϩⲟⲧ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϫⲓⲙⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ⲉⲥⲟ̀ⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲁϫⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ̀ ⲛ̀ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫⲣⲉϥϣⲁⲛϣ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲁϥϭⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱϯ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ̀ⲛⲟϯ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ ⲕⲟⲩϫⲓ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲛⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϩⲱⲥ ⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ + ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲧⲉⲛⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁ

Prov 31:29. Song 4:7–9; 6:4. 231 Matt 13:44? 232 Lit. “conceived.” 229 230

+ I did not have help in that moment, save my Lady, Mary, Madonna the Virgin and the mother,

+ for many women were honored but you excelled them all,229 for she became worthy of being called the mother of God, the king of Glory. +The city of soul,230 the spiritual treasure,231 God of the ages came and dwelt in her womb.

+ The entrusted Virgin carried232 Him for nine months. She found grace and gave birth to Him while being a Virgin. + (He) Who is before all ages, who created everything and nourishes everyone, took milk from your breast, +and He grew little by little as the sons of men, but He is the true God, like a gentle lover of mankind.

+We praise Him with all our hearts, we seek His

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛⲟⲩⲱϣⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩⲣⲟ + ⲛⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ϯⲛⲁϩⲱⲥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϫⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ϫⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ϯϯϩⲟ ⲱ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲟⲗⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲣⲱⲓ

+ ⲥⲟⲙⲥ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ ⲡⲓϫⲁϫⲓ ϭⲟϫⲓ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲓ⳾ ϭⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϩⲟⲡⲗⲟⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϣⲉⲃϣⲓ⳾ ⲧⲱⲛⲕ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲓⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ* Fol. ⲧ︦ⲅ︦ r

+ ϫⲉ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ ⲙ̀ⲧⲟⲛ ϣⲟⲡ ⲛⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲛⲁⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉⲧϩⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲓⲁⲓⲧⲟⲩ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧⲁⲧϩⲏⲧ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ + ϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ϧⲁ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧⲉⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ⳾235 ⲱ̀ ⲡⲁⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ︦ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾236 ⲁⲣⲓⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧϫⲱⲃ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ + ⲛⲁⲓⲟϯ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ

face. We adore Him and we glorify Him, for He is our king.

+ I sing Your mercies, my Lord,233 Your righteousness from generation to generation. I ask you, my king of glory, not to take them (the mercies) from my mouth.

+ Look, Lord and listen to me, for my enemy persecutes me.234 Take an armour and a shield, arise and help me.

+ For there is no rest for me because of all my evil sins I have committed due to my ignorance. But Your mercy is above them (sins).

+ Have mercy upon my humility, O my Good Saviour, have mercy upon my weakness through the prayers of the God-Bearer. + My holy fathers, let us glorify the holy one full of glory from whom the king of kings came and took flesh.

Ps 89:1. Ps 7:5. 235 The ⲧⲁ is added over the line by another hand. 236 Corrected over the line by the letter ⲉ. 233 234

121

122

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ⳾ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲃⲉ ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲙⲟⲩⲛⲕ ⲛ̀ϫⲓϫ⳾ ϯⲡⲩⲅⲏ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲏⲧⲉ + ⲟⲩⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲱⲛϧ ⲁϥⲃⲉⲃⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ϯⲙⲟⲩⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲓⲕⲏ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉⲛⲯⲩⲭⲏ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ⳾ ϯϭⲁϩⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾237 ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲡⲓⲕⲏⲡⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲥⲑⲟⲓⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ + ⲱ̀ⲟⲩⲛⲓⲁϯ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ⳾ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ϯⲙⲉⲧϫⲁϫⲓ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲅ︦ v

+ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥ⳧ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ⳾* ⲁϥⲧⲁⲥⲑⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ + ⲛⲉⲛϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ⲓⲟϯ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲩⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ϯⲁ̀ⲡⲁⲧⲏ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲉⲡ ⲙ̀ⲕⲁϩ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ϣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲁⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ + ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϯ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲉⲧⲟϣ

+ The Virgin Mary, (is) the wise mother of God, the Tabernacle made without hands, the rational spring.

+ Glory of life pours upon us from the intellectual fountain, Mary, the true bride who saved our souls.

+ Hail to the beautiful dove, the pure gazelle, the paradise of Christ, the garden of the fragrance. + Blessed are you Mary, for the fruit of your womb, Jesus Christ, the Son of God, abolished the enmity. + (He) Who saved His people by His Cross, opened the gate of the paradise, He restored mankind once more.

+ Our forefathers sinned treacherously; Christ became sad till He freed them.

+ Through His Holy Resurrection, He made us free once more and gave us the Holy Spirit in His great mercy.

ϯϭⲁϩⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ added in the margin by another hand [the same as the Arabic notes].

237

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲙⲁ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲛⲉⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲩⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ̀ⲫⲓⲱⲧ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ + ϯⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲉⲧϣⲟⲡ ϧⲁϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϯⲛⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ + ⲁⲓⲱϣ ⲉ̀ⲡϣⲱⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲁⲥⲙⲏ⳾ ϩⲁⲣⲟⲕ ϯⲕⲱⲗϫ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲕⲉⲗⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ⳾ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲏⲧ + ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲫⲱⲛϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕϩⲟ ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲙⲉⲧϩⲏⲕⲓ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲭⲱ ⲛⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲁⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ + ⲡⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲟⲛ ϯϯϩⲟ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲉⲕⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲛ̀ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ* Fol. ⲧ︦ⲇ︦ r

+ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ⳾ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡϣⲁⲗ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲡⲣⲟⲥⲧⲁⲧⲏⲥ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉⲛϩⲟⲧ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ⳾ ⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛϧⲏϯ

238

Ps 13:1.

123

+ Give greatness to the Lord with me, let us praise His name together, let us glorify the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

+ The consubstantial Trinity, which is before ages and worthy of the glory now and forever.

+ I cried towards You. I bend the knees of my heart. I ask You, my Lord Jesus, the merciful and compassionate,

+ do not turn Your face away from my poverty till the end238 but forgive and pardon me, Lord, God of my salvation.

+And also I ask you, Jesus Christ, my true king, to save my soul through the prayers of the true bride,

+ the Virgin Mary, the holy God-Bearer, the pure turtledove, the pride of the saints.

+ Hail to the one full of grace, O trusted advocate to the Word of the Father (Who) came and took flesh from you.

124

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲉⲩⲓ̀ⲛ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ⳾ ⲱ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲉⲛ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲉϫⲫⲟϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲉⲧϫⲱⲃ + ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛϯϩⲁⲡ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲃⲏⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲟϯ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ + ⲡⲓⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲫⲱϥ ⲡⲉ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉϥⲓⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ + ⲗⲟⲓⲡⲟⲛ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ⳾ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲥⲱⲧⲉⲙ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲕ ⲟⲩϩⲏⲕⲓ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ϫⲱⲃ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲃⲟⲏⲑⲓⲛ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ + ⲁⲓⲥⲱⲣⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲉⲥⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲭⲱⲗⲉⲙ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲱⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϫⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲉⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲇ︦ v

+ ϣⲟⲡⲧ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲕ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲁⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀*ⲡⲓϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲑⲟ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ

Ps 118:138. Ps 35:3. 241 Luke 15:18. 239 240

+ Intercede on our behalf, O holy of holies in front of Christ that you conceived so that He might have mercy upon our weakness

+in the true place of judgement in front of the fearful tribune in the day of the judgement, for He is the God of gods. + Glory be to Him with hymns and to his Good Father and the Spirit, the Comforter, forever and ever. + I also ask You, O my Lord Jesus, hear me, the poor and weak, God help me.

+ I have gone astray like a sheep.239 Hasten Lord, search for me, say unto my soul: ‘I am your salvation.’240 + Receive me, my Saviour, like a son without salvation, for I have sinned against heaven and before You,241 have mercy upon me.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ⲉⲓⲛⲁϣⲉⲛⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ⲑⲱⲛ ⲡⲁ�ⲥ︦⳾ ⲉ̀ϣⲱⲡ ⲁⲕϣⲁⲛϫⲱⲛⲧ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲛ̀ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲣⲧⲁⲕⲟⲓ + ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ⳾ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡⲓ ⲉⲑⲛⲉⲥⲱⲥ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓϩⲓⲱⲓϣ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ⳾ ⲁⲥϭⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ + ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉⲥⲱϣ ⲉ1ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲉⲣⲫⲉⲓ ⲉⲥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ϯⲥⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̀ϩⲗⲓ ⲁⲛ⳾ ⲉⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲧⲥⲙⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ + ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲓⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϣⲟⲣⲡ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲛ̀ⲭⲏⲙⲓ + ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲛϫⲓϫ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲃⲱⲕ ⲙⲱⲩ̀ⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲉⲣϩⲉⲙⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲃⲟⲣⲃⲉⲣ ⲙ̀ⲫⲁⲣⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥϫⲟⲙ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ ⲉ̀ⲫⲓⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ϣⲁⲣⲓ + ⲡⲓⲙⲁϩ ⲃ︦ ⲁϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲇⲉⲙⲱⲛ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲁⲙⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲥⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲣⲁⲛ +ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦244*

125

+ Where should I flee Your anger,242 my Lord.243 Through the prayers of the God-Bearer, Lord my God, do not destroy me.

+ The Virgin Mary, the beautiful dove, by the annunciation of Gabriel, received the joy to the World. + Therefore, she proclaimed in the temple, saying: “For I know nothing except the voice of the Angel,

+ That who gave birth to our Saviour Lord, God, the lover of the mankind, the one who saved His people in the beginning from the land of Egypt. + By the hands of His servant Moses, and Aaron the guide, He cast Pharaoh and all his army in the Red Sea.

+The second (Moses?) saved us from the slavery of the devil. Glory and might are due to His name +Jesus Christ

Ps 138[139]:7–10. Lit. “if you are wroth against me.” 244 An Arabic sentence is added by another hand: ‫“ ﻛﻤﻞ ﺑﺴﻼم ﻣﻦ اﻟﺮب اﻣﲔ‬It is finished in the Peace of the Lord, Amen.” 242 243

126

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

The beginning of each text follows the alphabetical order. ⲁ ⲃ ⲅ ⲇ ⲉ ⲍⲏⲑⲓ Fol. ⲧ︦ⲉ︦ r

ⲟⲩⲉⲣⲙⲏⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲓⲁ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲥⲁⲃⲃⲁⲧⲟⲛ ⲃⲁⲧⲟⲥ ‫ﺗﻔﺴﲑ‬

Interpretation of Saturday’s Theotokia, Batos.

+ ⲁⲓⲣⲉⲕ ⲡⲁϩⲏⲧ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲑⲟ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ⲱ̀ⲟⲩ⳾ ⲥⲟⲧⲧ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲏⲓ

+ I incline my heart before You, Lord, God of my salvation, for the sake of Your name full of glory, save me and have mercy upon me.

‫ﺗﺪاﻛﻴﺔ ﻳﻮم اﻟﺴﺒﺖ واﻃﺲ‬

+ ⲱ̀ ⲫⲣⲉϥϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲣⲉⲙⲣⲁⲩϣ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲛⲉϥⲙⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀ 245 ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲩⲧⲱⲛ⳾ ϭⲓⲙⲱⲓⲧ ⲛⲁⲛ ϧⲁ ⲛⲉⲕⲉ̀ⲃⲓⲁⲓⲕ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲛ + ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲓϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ⳾ ⲫⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲟϩ247 ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲉ̀ⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ + ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲧⲱⲛⲕ ⲉⲡⲉⲕⲙⲧⲟⲛ + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲕⲩⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ϯϭⲁϩⲥⲓ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ϯϭⲣⲟⲙⲡϣⲁⲗ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ

+ O guide of the humble, lead us, Your servants, in Your straight road by246 Your Spirit the Comforter, + in order that we glorify this bride, the dwelling place of the Holy Spirit, who was worthy to be called the holy of Holies.

+ David the king, the psalmist, sung with the Spirit the Comforter, saying: “Arise to Your rest, + You (God) and your Ark,” 248 that is the pure gazelle, the pure turtledove, Mary, the God-bearer.

Read: ⲛⲉⲕⲙⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩⲓ̀. Arabism; where ϧⲉⲛ is used as an instrumental, it should be ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ. 247 Read: ⲫⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲱϩ. 248 Ps 132:8. 245 246

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

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+ ϯⲁⲧⲑⲱⲗⲉⲃ ⲛ̀ⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏ⳾ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ + The undefiled chaste ⲛ̀ⲥⲁⲃⲉ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ wise Virgin bore Christ, ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥⲁⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲣⲉⲙϩⲉ the king, who freed us.

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲉ︦ v

+ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲏⲟⲩ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟ ⲛ̀ϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ* + ⲉϥⲧⲁⲗⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲥϫⲫⲟⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲫⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲟⲩϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲥⲉⲣⲁⲫⲓⲙ + ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϫⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲓⲉⲣⲉⲕⲗⲁⲥ⳾250 ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲩϣⲉⲙϣⲏⲧϥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϭⲛⲁⲩϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ + ⲁ̀ⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲁⲓϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲟⲝⲟⲛ⳾ ϯⲕⲧⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙⲉ + ⲧⲉⲛϯ ⲛⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϣⲟⲡ ⲛⲉⲙⲉ

+ The entirely249 holy, the ever Virgin, who presented to us God who created everything.

+ The one, who is above the Cherubim, was carried in her arms, God who is glorified by the ranks of the Seraphim.

+ According to the all-wise Hereclas251 (who) said: “Whom the Angels worship is in the arms of the Virgin

+ Truly, indeed, O chaste Virgin, the whole creation rejoices indeed with you for this amazing event.252

+ We send to you a greeting, O undefiled and chaste: “Hail to you who are full of glory, the Lord is with you.”

Lit “in everything.” The ⲗ is written over the line by the scribe. 251 He was the thirteenth patriarch of the See of Saint Mark (231–247) (feast day: 8 Kiyahk). He studied theology at the Catechetical School of Alexandria under Origen who selected him as his assistant to teach beginning students. (When Origen had difficulties with the authorities, Heraclas succeeded him as head of the school–he taught the advanced classes.) 252 Lit. “matter.” 249 250

128

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲃⲱⲧⲥ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲃⲱⲧⲥ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲡⲥⲁⲧⲁⲛⲁⲥ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉϥⲇⲉⲙⲱⲛ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲧⲟⲩ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲁⲫⲣⲁⲕⲧⲟⲛ + ⲙⲁⲧⲁϫⲣⲟⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲉⲧϫⲱⲣⲓ⳾ ⲙⲁⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲁϩⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲭⲱⲗⲉⲙ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ + ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲇⲉⲥⲡⲟⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⲡⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

Fol. ⲧ︦ϛ︦ r

+ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϩⲓⲥⲉⲛϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲛⲉϩ⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϯⲥⲃⲱ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲛⲧ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ * ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲫⲁ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲧⲁⲓⲟ + ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲁϣⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ ⲙ̀ⲙⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲑⲉⲃⲓⲟ̀ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥϭⲓⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲱ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥϣⲁⲛϣ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲁϥϭⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲱϯ ϧⲉⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ̀ⲛⲟϯ + ⲁⲣⲉϣⲁⲛϣ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲁ̀ⲙⲏⲣ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ

253 254

2 Cor 10:4? Phil 2:7.

+ Fight those who fight me: Satan and his devils.253 O, our good Lord, make them all unguarded. + Strengthen us by Your strength, purify us with Your purity. Grant us hastily Your mercy. Mary, the queen,

+ who became a throne and the mother of the Master, according to the prophets and the word of the angel Gabriel.

+ The creator of the ages, the master of purity and the creator of everything; to Him be the glory and honour,

+ Jesus Christ the king of glory according to His great mercy, by His own will, humbled254 Himself for our salvation,

+ and took flesh from you, Mary the mother of God. The one who nourishes everybody was fed from your breast.

+ You tended Him in your arms, He is the great

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲉⲛⲁⲁϥ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲱⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ + ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲣⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲛⲍⲓⲛ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲙⲉⲧⲛⲓϣϯ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛϯ ⲛⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁ̀ ⲡⲓⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ⲧⲁϩⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ + ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲙⲉⲧⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲣⲉⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϩⲱⲧⲡ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ + ⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲏ ⲉⲧⲕⲱϯ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲥⲉϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲓϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ + ⲁⲩⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ ⲉ̀ϯⲣⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲭⲣⲱⲙ ⲥⲁϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛⲉⲥϫⲁⲗ ⲉ̀ⲧⲟⲩⲉⲧⲟⲩⲟⲧ Fol. ⲧ︦[ϛ︦ v

+ ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ ⲁ̀ⲙⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ⳾* ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲙⲏϯ ⲉⲑⲣⲉⲕⲧⲁⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲛⲓϣϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁⲕⲟⲩⲟⲛϩϥ ⲛⲁⲛ + ϫⲉ ⲁⲕϩⲓϣⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϥⲓ ⲛ̀ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ ⲉⲕϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲙⲟⲧ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϣⲟⲡ ⲛⲉⲙⲉ⳾ ⲁⲣⲉϫⲓⲙⲓ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϩⲙⲟⲧ ⳾

255

Lit. “The bush and the fire in it.”

129

God; for this (reason) we glorify you, with unspeakable glory.

+ We bless your greatness and send you a greeting, for through your fruit salvation reached our race. + Through your purity, you gave birth to God, the Word, who in His goodness reconciled us once more.

+ All Orthodox races who are seeking Christ, glorify this bride, Mary, the Godbearer.

+ She is compared to the burning255 bush which the prophet saw; yet its branches were green. + Gabriel, come in our midst in order to tell us about this great mystery which you revealed to us. + For you announce to the Virgin the joy of the World with pleasure, saying: “Hail to you who are full of glory, + the Lord is with you, for you found grace, and will conceive and give

130

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲧⲉⲣⲁⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲙⲓⲥⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ birth to the Word, the Son of God.”256 ⲛ̀ϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲓⲱⲧ + ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ ⲫϯ ⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧⲛⲓϣϯ + ϩⲱⲥ ⲙⲁⲛϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲧⲁⲕⲟ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲩⲙⲫⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲉⲣϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲁϥⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩϫⲟⲙ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲉⲑⲛⲁⲉⲣϧⲏⲓⲃⲓ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲏϯ ⲛ̀ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ + ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϫⲫⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲇⲓⲙⲓⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ ⲓⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ̄⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲍ︦ r

+ ⲧⲉⲛϯ ⲛⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ* + ⲇⲉⲥⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁ ⲡⲓⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲟⲩⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⳾ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟⲕ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲃⲟⲏⲑⲟⲥ + ⲡⲁⲛⲁϣϯ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲁⲙⲁⲛⲫⲱⲧ⳾ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲁⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲙⲁⲧⲁϫⲣⲟⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ

256 257

Luke 1:28–31. Lit. “He precedes to purify you.”

+ Truly we praise you, O Mary the queen, for God had chosen you as a dwelling of His greatness. + Like an imperishable bridal chamber of the pure bridegroom, He purified you in advance257 by the Spirit the Comforter,

+ and the power of the Most High overshadowed you, Mary. Therefore, we praise you in the midst of the church,

+ for you gave birth to the True God the Creator, our Saviour Jesus Christ, (who) came and saved us. + We give you greetings,

+ Good Lord, our Master the incomprehensible one. Have mercy upon my soul, for You are my helper, + my protector, my refuge, my God, and my king; strengthen me with Your grace through the prayers of the queen,

TEXT AND TRANSLATION + ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϯⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦258 ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉⲥⲱ̀ⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲡⲓⲯⲁⲗⲙⲱⲧⲟⲥ + ⲁϥⲕⲓⲙ ⲛ̀ϯⲕⲩⲑⲁⲣⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲛ̀ⲥⲓⲱⲛ⳾ ⲁϥⲥⲟⲧⲡⲥ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁϥ + ⲡⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲯⲁⲗⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲥⲓⲱⲛ ϯⲙⲁⲩ260 ⲛⲁϫⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲟⲩⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϩⲏⲧⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ ⲁϥϩⲓⲥⲉⲛϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ + ⲥⲓⲱⲛ ⲙ̀ⲃⲉⲣⲓ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲓ︦ⲗ︦ⲏ︦ⲙ︦⳾ ϯⲃⲁⲕⲓ ⲉ̀ⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⲧϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ⳾262 ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ + ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲫⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲉϥⲥⲱϯ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲣⲉϫⲫⲟϥ⳾ ⲱ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲍ︦ v

+ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲛⲟⲩⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲁⲣⲉⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲥⲁⲣⲝ*⳾ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ

+ the Virgin, and the mother of the Lord, God of glory. David the Psalmist spoke about her glory.

+ He played his own cithara and sang. And He said: “The Lord has chosen Sion, He chose her as His dwelling.”259 + And the psalmist also said: “Sion the mother will say that a man dwelt in her and He is the Most High who established her.”261 + The new Sion, Jerusalem, the holy city of Christ, (is) Mary the daughter of Joachim, the pride of the Orthodox.

+ From the tribe of Judah arose the Saviour Jesus Christ whom you conceived, O Mary the mother of God.

+ For you are the origin263 and the descendant of the prophets. For us, you gave birth to God of the Angels according to the flesh,

Read: ⲙ̀ⲡ�ⲥ︦. Ps 132:13 260 ⲙⲁⲩ is written in the margin by another hand. 261 Ps 87:5. 262 The ⲱ is added over the line. 263 Lit. “root.” 258 259

131

132

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲫⲁⲓ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲁⲥⲓⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲁ̀ⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲓϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲟⲩϣϥ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲙⲓⲛ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥϭⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲣⲫⲏ ⲙ̀ⲃⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ + ⲧⲉⲛϯ ⲛⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭⲉⲣⲉ + ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲉⲣⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ265 ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉⲛⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲡϣⲟⲩϣⲟⲩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ̄⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϫⲫⲟ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲇⲩⲙⲓⲟⲣⲅⲟⲥ + ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲁⲓ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓⲁ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲗⲁⲙⲱⲛ⳾ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲥⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ266 ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲛ + ⲡⲓⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ⲫϯ ⲡⲓⲁⲧϣⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧϣⲧⲁϩⲟϥ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲛⲉϫⲓ + ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ ⲱ̀ ϯⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ⳾267 ⲉⲧⲧⲟⲩⲃⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲑⲃⲏϯ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ

+ who, for the first man Adam’s transgression, emptied Himself and took from you the form of a servant.264 + We send you a greeting. + Glory and honour are due to the queen Mary, the mother of the king and our Saviour Jesus Christ.

+ You are the pride of our race, O Mary, the Virgin. For us you conceived Emmanuel, God the Creator. + You are the gate (towards) the East and the precious lamp. Its true light illuminated us. + The unspeakable mystery, the unseen, incomprehensible and unlimited God came and dwelt in your womb.

+ Truly, O pure and purified tower, about which the all-wise talked, saying:

Phil 2:7. The ⲓ is added over the line by the scribe. 266 Read: ⲉⲣⲟⲩⲱⲓⲛⲓ. 267 Read ⲡⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ? (according to the term used in the Theotokia of Saturday). 264 265

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲓⲣⲏϯ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲏ︦ r

+ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲁϩ ⲃ︦ ⲙ̀ⲫⲉ⳾ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲱ̀ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲣⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯ*ⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ + ⲁⲣⲉϫⲫⲟϥ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲁ̀⳾269 ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲏ̀ⲥⲁ̀ⲏⲁⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲓⲥ ϯⲡ︦ⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲛⲁⲉⲣⲃⲟⲕⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲉⲥⲓⲁⲥ + ⲁϭⲛⲉ ϫⲣⲟϫ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲧⲁⲕⲟ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲯⲁⲗⲕⲁⲧⲏⲥ⳾271 ⲉⲩⲑⲗⲏ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ ⳾ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲏϯ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩⲛϩⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲉϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲥⲟⲣⲧ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ ̀ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ⲱ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ⳾ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ϣⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ + ⲍⲉⲟϣ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲉⲕⲛⲁⲓ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲁⲫⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ϯⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲕ⳾ ⲁⲣⲓⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛⲉⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲙⲏⲓⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲛ

133

+ “You became a second heaven on Earth, O Mother of God, and the Sun of righteousness arose,”268 through you. + You conceived Him according to a prophecy of the holy Isaiah: “Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and give birth to the Messiah.”270 + With272 imperishable seed but as (said by) the psalmist: “like the dew on the earth according to the word of the prophet.”273

+ and like the rain on the fleece of wool274 who is you, O Mary the ever Virgin. + For Your mercies are plentiful, O true God. I ask You to give me a good sign.

Mal 4:2. The ⲟⲩ is written over the line by another hand. 270 Isa 7:14. 271 Another hand has added in the margin: ‫اﳌﺮﺗﻞ اﳌﺰﻣﺮ‬. The term is not attested in the dictionaries. 272 Lit. “without.”a 273 Isa 27:19; Prov 19:12. 274 Ps 72:6. 268 269

134

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ϭⲱⲣⲡ ⲛ̀ⲛⲁⲃⲁⲗ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ ⲡⲁⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲉⲑⲣⲓⲙⲟϣⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲕϩⲟϯ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲛⲓϯϩⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ + ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲉⲗⲉⲧ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ⳾ ⲡⲓⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ ⲛⲓⲥⲁϧ ⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲏ︦ v

+ ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲟⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟⲥ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ⳾ ⲡⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ ⲉ̀ⲑⲟⲩⲁⲃ* +ⲁϥⲭⲱ ⲛ̀ϧⲏⲧⲥ ⲛ̀ϯⲕⲩⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛⲛⲁ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲥⲁⲝ275 ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲡⲓϣⲃⲱⲧ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁϥϯⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ + ⲛⲉⲛⲓⲟϯ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲉⲥⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲛ̀ⲥⲕⲉⲩⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲧⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ⲉϩⲟⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ + ϯⲕⲩⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ ⲉⲥⲟϣϫ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲥⲁϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲥⲁⲃⲟⲗ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⲉⲥϫⲟⲗϩ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ + ⲡⲓⲥⲧⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ ⲉⲧϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛⲛⲁ ⲉⲧϩⲏⲡ⳾

275 276

Read: ⲛⲓⲡⲗⲁⲝ. Lit. “which is carrying.”

+ My God, in order to walk in Your fear, open my eyes through the prayers of the Mother of God, Mary the true bride,

+ the pure bridal chamber of the Lord God, the Word, whom (i.e., Mary) the Masters called the tabernacle of truth.

+ Moses the Prophet made the tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies. + He (Moses) put in it the Ark, the manna in the pot, the tablets of Covenant, and the rod which gave fruit.

+ Our holy Fathers, compare its (the tabernacle’s) chosen vessels to the God-Bearer, but keep in mind that our Lady is superior. + The Tabernacle was plated with gold from inside out, but Mary is covered with the purity of the Spirit the Comforter. + The pot carried276 the hidden manna as a

TEXT AND TRANSLATION

135

testimony to the people; ⲉⲩⲙⲉⲧⲙⲉⲑⲣⲉ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ Mary carried the sublime ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡⲓⲙⲁⲛⲛⲁ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ manna, our incomprehensible Lod.

+ ⲛⲓⲡⲗⲁⲝ ⲉⲧⲥϧⲏⲟⲩⲧ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉ̀ϫⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓ ⲓ︦ ⲛ̀ⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲓⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲩⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁⲓ⳾ ⲡⲓϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲙ̀ⲫⲣⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦ + ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲓϣⲃⲱⲧ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ⳾ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ϭⲟ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲥⲟ ⲁϥϯⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲛ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ⲁⲥⲙⲓⲥⲓ ⲁϭⲛⲉ ⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲣⲱⲙⲓ⳾ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲉ̀ⲱⲛ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲑ︦ r

+ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲫⲩⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲫⲱⲣϫ⳾* ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲟⲩϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ + ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲁⲡⲁⲥ⳾ ⲁϥⲧⲁⲥⲑⲟ ⲛ̀ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲉⲧⲉϥⲁⲣⲭⲏ⳾ ⲉϣⲗⲏⲗⲟⲩⲓ̀ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ + ⲏⲗ ⲡⲉ ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ⲓ̀ ⲁϥϭⲓ ⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ

+ The written stone tablets resembled the Iota—the first (letter) of the name of Jesus Christ. + And as the rod of Aaron without planting or watering gave fruit, so Mary gave birth without human seed, to Jesus, God of ages, + with a unique Hypostasis, and a unique nature. In a unity without separation, (He is) one Son. + (He) came and saved us from the slavery of old, and made Adam return to his authority. The paradise rejoiced.

+ El is Emmanuel, our God, Lord, God of gods. (He) came and took flesh from you, O Mary, the mother of God.

+ ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ + What shall I call you? ⲡⲉ ⲡⲓⲧⲱⲟⲩ ⲉⲧⲕⲉⲛⲓ̀ⲱⲟⲩⲧ⳾ ϫⲉ You are a sweet

mount,277 for God dwelt in you, O pure Virgin.

277

Ps 68:15–16.

136

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS ⲁ̀ ⲫϯ ϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲉⲧⲧⲟⲩⲃⲏⲟⲩⲧ + ⲥⲉⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ ⲱ̀ ϯⲕⲩⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲱⲉ̀ ⲱ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲟ278 ϩⲱⲓ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ + ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ ϫⲉ ⲛⲓⲙ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ⲡⲉ ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲛⲓⲙⲁⲛϣⲁⲓ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥϣⲁⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ + ⲓⲉⲍⲉⲕⲓⲏⲗ ⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲉⲥⲧⲟⲃ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉ ϩⲗⲓ ϣⲉ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲃⲏⲗ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϫⲟⲙ ⲁϥϣⲉ ⲉ̀ϧⲟⲩⲛ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲧⲉⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ̀ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉⲥⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁ ⲫϯ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲙ̀ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲟⲝⲟⲛ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲑ︦ v

+ ⲛⲓⲥⲁϧ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲓⲁ̀⳾ ⲛⲓⲥⲧⲩⲗⲗⲟⲥ* ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ⳾ ⲁⲩⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲉ̀ⲡⲉⲧⲁⲓⲟ̀⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲧⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ + ⲁⲩⲙⲟⲩϯ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲑⲙⲁⲩ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ ⲙ̀ⲙⲏⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲏⲛⲏ⳾ ⲉⲑⲃⲉ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ϧⲉⲛ ϩⲁⲛϩⲱⲇⲏ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱ̀ⲟⲩ ⲛⲉ

+ You are compared with the Ark of Noah, O God-Bearer, but you are also superior to it, for you saved the World. + What shall I call you? You are the gate towards the East; God of our salvation arose from you.

+ Ezekiel saw you as a firmly sealed gate and nobody entered it except the Lord of powers.279

+ He entered and came out. The Virginity did not break, for God guarded you in an amazing manner.

+ The doctors of the orthodoxy, the pillars of the church, all told about your honour O our Lady, Madonna Mary.

+ They called you the mother of God, the true queen. Therefore, we praise you and glorify you with odes.

+ ⲁⲧⲫⲉ ⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲁ̀ ⲡⲕⲁϩⲓ ⲑⲉⲗⲏⲗ⳾ + The heaven is happy ϫⲉ ⲁ̀ⲣⲉϫⲫⲟ ⲛⲁⲛ

278 279

Read: ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ. Ezek 43:4; 44:1–2.

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲛ̀ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ⳾ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲫϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓ︦ⲥ︦ⲗ︦⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ + ⲑⲱⲟⲩϯ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲗⲁⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛⲓϫⲫⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ϯⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ⳾ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲛⲏⲃ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ + ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲕⲩⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦ ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲁⲥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϩⲁ ϯⲙⲉⲧⲃⲱⲕ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲥⲁⲧⲁⲛⲁⲥ + ⲛⲉⲙ ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲙ̀ⲃⲁⲥⲓⲗⲓⲕⲟⲛ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲣⲉ ⲡⲓⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ ⲓ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉ̀ϯⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲁ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃ⳾ ⲡⲥ︦ⲗ︦ ⲁϥⲛⲟⲩ281 ⲉⲣⲟⲥ + ⲉⲥⲧⲁϫⲣⲏⲟⲩⲧ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲥϭⲟⲥⲓ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ϩⲣⲏⲓ ⲉⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϩⲓϫⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲁⲫⲉ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲓⲙⲁ ⲟⲩϩⲟϯ ⲡⲉ + ⲁϥⲉⲣϩⲟϯ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲫⲁⲓ ⲡⲉ ⲃⲏⲑⲏⲗ283 ⲡⲗⲏⲛ ⲁⲩϣⲱⲡⲓ⳾ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ϩⲟⲣⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲡⲉ*

and the earth rejoices,280 for you conceived for us Emmanuel, the Lord God of Israel. He came and saved us.

+ All people, gather together the children of the church in order to praise and glorify our lady, Madonna Mary, + who became a tabernacle of our Lord Jesus Christ. She delivered the World from the slavery of Satan. + The all-wise compared her to a royal throne, and the ladder which Jacob Israel saw,

+ “set upon the earth and reaching up to heaven, and the Lord is above it;”282 this place is fearful.

+ He was afraid and said: “This is the gate of heaven, this is Bethel.” However, these were simply284 a dream,

Ps 96:11. Read: ⲛⲁⲩ. The ⲟ is written over the line by the main scribe. 282 Gen 28:12. 283 Another hand has written in Arabic over the line: ‫اﷲ‬ 284 Lit. “all.” 280 281

137

138 Fol. ⲧ︦ⲓ︦ r

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ϯⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ ⲁ̀ⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ⳾ ⲉ̀ⲧⲉ ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲛ ⲁ̀ⲛⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲉⲃⲟⲗϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲛⲟⲩⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀ ϯϣⲉⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ + ⲑⲁⲓ ⲧⲉ ϯⲡⲩⲗⲏ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲫⲉ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲟⲩⲏⲓ ⲙ̀Ⲫ︦ ⲡⲉ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ϯⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ ⲛ̀ⲗⲟⲅⲓⲕⲏ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲥϥⲁⲓ ϧⲁ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓϫⲟⲙ + ⲁⲓⲛⲁⲧⲉⲛⲑⲱⲛⲧ ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲕ ⲉ̀ⲛⲓⲙ⳾ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓϫⲉⲙ ϩⲗⲓ ⲉⲧⲟ̀ⲛⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ⳾ ϫⲉⲧⲉⲣⲁϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲉ̀ⲙⲁϣⲱ⳾ ⲱ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲟⲩⲣⲱ +ⲉⲣⲉⲧⲉⲛⲑⲱⲛⲧ ⲉ̀ϯⲙⲟⲩⲕⲓ⳾ ⲑⲏ ⲉ̀ⲧⲁ ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲁⲗⲗⲁ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟ ϩⲱⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲑⲙⲏⲓ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ ⲉ̀ϩⲟⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ + ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲓⲧⲟⲧⲉⲛ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲛⲟⲛ ϧⲁ ⲛⲓⲉⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁⲣⲉϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲡⲣⲟⲥⲧⲁⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲁϩⲣⲉⲛ ⲫϯ ⲡⲉⲛⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲟⲥ + ⲓⲱⲥ ⲙ̀ⲙⲱⲧⲉⲛ ϧⲁ ⲟⲩⲟⲛ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ⳾ ⲉⲧϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗϩⲁⲧϩⲏ ⲙ̀ⲡⲭ︦ⲥ︦⳾ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉⲛϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲣⲁⲛ ⲉⲧϩⲟⲗϫ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲧⲉⲛ�ⲥ︦ ϯⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ + ⲑ̀ⲛⲟⲩⲛⲓ ⲛ̀ⲓⲉⲥⲥⲉ ⲡϫⲣⲟϫ ⲛ̀ⲇ︦ⲁ︦ⲇ︦⳾ ϯⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ ⲉ︦ⲑ︦ ⲛ̀ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ⳾ ⲫⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ

285

Gen 28:17.

+ but the true ladder that we saw (is) a descendant of the psalmist, Mary the daughter of Joachim.

+ “This is the gate of heaven and the dwelling of God,”285 and the rational ladder carrying the Lord of powers.

+ To what shall I compare you? I did not find anything resembling you, for you are much higher, O Mary the queen.

+ You (are) compared to the ladder, which Jacob saw but you are also truly superior to it, O GodBearer.

+ We hail you, we the humble ones, for you became our intercessor before God the Helper. + Hasten all you who look forward to Christ, in order to praise the sweet name of our Lady the God-Bearer.

+ (She is) the descendent of Jesse, the seed of David, the holy pure Tabernacle, the dwelling of the Son of God, our

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲡϣⲏⲣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫϯ⳾ ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲏⲃ ⲡⲓⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ Fol. ⲧ︦ⲓ︦ v

+ ⲓⲥϫⲉⲛ ϫⲱⲟⲩ ϣⲁ ϫⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ⳾* ⲛⲓⲑ̀ⲙⲏⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲟⲩⲣⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲇⲓⲕⲉⲟⲥ⳾ ⲥⲉϫⲟⲩϣⲧ ⲉ̀ϫⲱ ⲱ ϯⲡⲣⲟⲥⲧⲁⲧⲏⲥ + ⲁⲇⲁⲙ ⲡⲉⲛⲓⲱⲧ ⲁϥⲣⲁϣⲓ ⲙ̀ⲫⲟⲟⲩ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲉⲩⲁ̀ ⲧⲉⲛϣⲟⲣⲡⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲁⲩ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲫⲛⲁⲓ ⲙ̀ⲡⲟⲩⲣⲟ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲡⲱⲟⲩ⳾ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧⲁϥϭⲓ ⲥⲁⲣⲝ ⲉⲃⲟⲗⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ + ⲓⲥ ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲉϥⲕⲩⲑⲁⲣⲁ⳾ ⲁϥⲉⲣⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲧⲁϫⲣⲟ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲧⲟⲩⲃⲟ ⲙ̀ⲡⲉϥⲙⲁⲛϣⲱⲡⲓ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲫⲏ ⲉⲧϭⲟⲥⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲛⲉϥⲕⲓⲙ ϧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉⲥⲙⲏϯ + ⲡⲁⲗⲓⲛ ⲟⲛ ⲁϥⲥⲁϫⲓ ⲉⲑⲃⲏϯ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ ϯⲙⲁⲥⲛⲟⲩϯ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲉϥⲉ̀ⲟⲩⲟⲛϩϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲥⲓⲱⲛ⳾ ⲛ̀ϫⲉ ⲫϯ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉ ⲛⲓⲛⲟⲩϯ + ϩⲏⲡⲡⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛ̀ϧⲏϯ⳾ ⲱ̀ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲧⲥⲙⲁⲙⲁⲧ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ⲣⲓ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩϫⲁⲓ ϧⲉⲛ ⲑⲙⲏϯ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲁϩⲓ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡⲉϥⲛⲁⲓ ϣⲟⲡ ϣⲁ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ

Ps 46:5. Ps 50:1–2. 288 Ps 74:12. 286 287

139

incomprehensible Lord. + From generation to generation, O Virgin, all the righteous, the prophets, and the just kings are looking forward to you, O intercessor.

+ Adam our father and Eve our first mother today rejoice for the king of glory in His mercy took flesh from you. + Behold, David with his cithara sang firmly: “the Most High had purified His house, and God will not move from its midst.”286 + And he also spoke about you, O Mary the mother of God: “God of gods revealed Himself in Sion.”287

+ Lo! Behold, the Lord came forth through you, O perfect blessed one, and He made salvation in the midst of the earth;288 His mercy endures forever.

140

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS + ϫⲉ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫϯ ⲉⲑⲙⲏⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲑⲟϥ ⲡⲉ ⲫⲣⲱⲙⲓ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲛ̀ⲟⲩⲱⲧ⳾ ϧⲉⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲓ ⲛ̀ⲁⲧⲃⲱⲗ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ

Fol. ⲧ︦ⲓ︦ⲁ︦ r ⲗ︦ⲃ︦

+ ⲁϥϭⲣⲟ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ϩⲓⲧⲉⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲉⲧϣⲉⲛϩⲏⲧ ⲉⲧⲟϣ⳾ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥⲛⲟϩⲉⲙ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ289 ⲧⲏⲣϥ⳾ ⲉⲧⲁϥⲑⲁⲙⲓⲟϥ ϧⲉⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲱϣ290*

+ 291 ⲧⲉⲛϩⲱⲥ ⲉ̀ⲣⲟϥ ⲧⲉⲛϯⲱⲟⲩ ⲛⲁϥ⳾ ⲛⲉⲙ ⲛⲓⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ ⲛ̀ⲉⲡⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛⲓⲟⲛ⳾ ⲧⲉⲛⲉⲣϩⲟⲩⲟ̀ ϭⲓⲥⲓ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟϥ⳾ ϫⲉ ⲁϥⲓ̀ ⲁϥⲥⲱϯ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟⲛ

+ ⲧⲉⲛϯϩⲟ ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲃϩ ⲙ̀ⲙⲟ⳾ ⲱ̀ ϯⲡⲁ︦ⲑⲣ︦ ⲉⲧϫⲏⲕ292 ⲉ̀ⲃⲟⲗ⳾ ⲁ̀ⲣⲓⲡⲉⲛⲙⲉⲩⲓ̀ ϧⲁ ⲧⲉϥϩⲏ⳾ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲭⲁ ⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲓ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ + ⲧⲉⲛϯ ⲛⲉ ⲙ̀ⲡⲓⲭⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ⳾ ⲱ ϯⲁⲧⲑⲱⲗⲉⲃ ⲛ̀ⲥⲉⲙⲛⲏ⳾ϫⲉ

+ For He is God who remains forever, He is the perfect man of a unique Hypostasis with unbreakable unity.

+ By His plentiful mercy, He was victorious, (and) came and saved the whole world which He created by His own will. + We praise and glorify Him with the heavenly ranks, we exalt Him above all, for He came and saved us.

+ We ask you and pray you, O perfect Virgin, remember us before Him, in order that He may forgive our sins. + We send a greeting to you, the wise and undefiled one: “Hail to you

ⲙⲟⲥ is added under the line by another hand. ⲟⲩⲱϣ is added under the line by another hand. 291 Before this there are a few words in Coptic and Arabic by another hand. It seems that one of the readers tried to erase the original text and replace it. ⲛⲉⲙ ⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ ⲛⲓⲃⲉⲛ ‫ وﻛﻞ ﻣﺮاﺗﺐ‬And all the ranks of the orⲛⲓⲉⲣⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ ⲛ̀ⲟⲣⲑⲟ ‫ اﻟﻜﻬﻨﺔ اﻻرﺛﺪﻛﺴﻴﲔ‬thodox priests ⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ ϩⲓⲛⲁ ⲛ̀ ⲧⲉ ⲡⲭⲥ︦ ‫ ﻟﻜﻲ اﳌﺴﻴﺢ اﻻﻫﻨﺎ‬In order that Christ our God ⲡⲉⲛⲛⲟⲩϯ ⲣⲱⲓⲥ ⲉⲣⲱⲟⲩ ‫ ﳛﺮﺳﻬﻢ وﻳﻘﻮﳞﻢ‬Guard them and ⲟⲩⲟⳉ ⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥϯϫⲟⲙ ⲛⲱⲟⲩ strengthen them [and forⲛ̀ⲧⲉϥⲭ︦ give] The words between [ ] are not in the Arabic translation. 292 ⲧ is erased. 289 290

TEXT AND TRANSLATION ⲭⲉⲣⲉ ⲑⲏ ⲉⲑⲙⲉϩ ⲛ̀ϩⲙⲟⲧ⳾ ⲟⲩⲟϩ ⲡ�ⲥ︦ ϣⲟⲡ ⲛⲉⲙⲉ

141

who are full of grace. The Lord is with you.”

‫ﻛﻤﻠﺖ اﻟﺴﺒﻌﺔ ﺗﻔﺎﺳﲑ اﻟﺬي ﻟﻠﺒﻄﺮﻳﺮك اﻧﺒﺎ ﻳﻮﻧﺲ اﺣﺪ اﻻﺧﻮﻳﻦ ﺑﺴﻼم ﻣﻦ اﻟﺮب‬

‫اﻣﲔ‬

‫ﰲ اﻟﻴﻮم اﻟﺜﻠﺚ ﻣﻦ اﻣﺸﲑ ﻟﻠﺸﻬﺪا ︦ⲁ︦ⲓ︦ⲁ ⳥ ︦ⲣ︦ⲭ واﻟﺴﺒﺢ ﷲ داﻳﲈ اﺑﺪا‬

The seven Interpretations of the patriarch Anba John, one of the two brothers;293 completed in the peace of the Lord, on the third day of Amshir. Praise be to God forever. 1011 AM (1295 CE).294

293 294

Cf. above. For this note, compare the Introduction.

GLOSSARY OF TECHNICAL TERMS Adam: Tune to which hymns are sung on Sundays, Mondays, and Tuesdays. The name is taken from the first words of the stanza of the Theotokia for Monday, “Adam was yet sorrowful of heart.”

Batos: Tune to which hymns are sung on Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The name is taken from the first words of the first stanza of the Theotokia for Thursday, “The Bush which Moses saw in the desert.”

Interpretations: A metrical Coptic composition inspired by the Theotokias.

143

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INDEX OF PROPER NAMES Numbers refer to the folios of the manuscript. ⲉ̀ⲫⲣⲁⲑⲁ, 282r, 299v

ⲁ̀ⲁ̀ⲣⲱⲛ, 276r, 294r, 294r, 304v, 308v ⲁⲇⲁⲙ, 271v, 277r, 277r, 277v, 277v, 278r, 278r, 278r, 278v, 278v, 283r, 295r, 295v, 297r, 307v, 310v ⲁⲑⲁⲛⲁⲥⲓⲥ, 275r

ⲍⲁⲃⲟⲩⲗⲱⲛ, 293r

ⲏⲗ, 282r, 309r ⲏⲥⲁⲏ̀ⲁⲥ, 280v, 290r, 293r, 308r

ⲑⲁⲣⲥⲟⲥ, 298r, 298r

ⲃⲏⲑⲏⲗ, 310r ⲃⲏⲑⲗⲉⲉⲙ, 282r, 282r, 299r

ⲅⲁⲃⲣⲓⲏⲗ, 290v, 290v, 304v, 306r, 305v ⲅⲁⲗⲓⲗⲉⲁ, 279v, 293r ⲇⲁⲛⲓⲏⲗ, 286v ⲇ︦ⲁ̄Ⲇ̄, 276r, 299r, 292r, 310r ⲇⲁⲩⲓⲇ, 279v, 283r, 286v, 289v, 292r, 298r, 299r, 305r, 307r, 310v

ⲉⲙⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲏⲗ, 272r, 282r, 284r, 292r, 297r, 298v, 307v, 309r, 309v ⲉⲩⲁ, 278r, 278r, 279r, 282r, 282v, 295r, 295v, 295v, 310v

153

ⲓⲁⲕⲱⲃ, 299v, 309v, 310r ⲓⲉⲍⲉⲕⲓⲏⲗ, 280r, 309r ⲓⲉⲣⲉⲕⲗⲁⲥ, 305v ⲓⲉⲥⲥⲉ, 294v, 310r ⲓ︦ⲗ︦ⲏ︦ⲙ︦, 289v, 292r, 307r ⲓ︦ⲏ︦ⲥ︦, 272r, 272r, 273r, 274v, 276r, 276r, 277v, 280v, 281r, 281r, 281v, 285r, 287v, 290r, 290v, 292r, 293r, 293v, 294v, 295r, 296r, 296r, 296v, 297r, 297r, 297r, 297v, 300r, 300r, 300r, 300r, 301r, 301v, 301v, 303r, 303v, 303v, 304r, 304v, 306r, 306v, 307r, 307v, 308v, 308v, 309v ⲓⲟⲣⲇⲁⲛⲏⲥ, 279r, 293r ⲓⲟⲩⲇⲁ, 282r, 299r, 307r, 308v

154

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

ⲓⲥ︦ⲗ︦, 282r, 282r, 288v, 294v, 299v, 309v, 309v ⲓⲱⲁⲕⲓⲙ, 275r, 275v, 276r, 287v, 288v, 301r, 307r, 310r ⲓⲱⲁⲛⲛⲏⲥ, 279r, 281v, 287v ⲓⲱⲥⲏⲫ, 297r

ⲕⲁⲛⲁ, 279v ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲗⲗⲟⲥ, 273r, 287v

ⲗⲁⲭⲁⲣⲟⲥ (ⲗⲁⲍⲁⲣⲟⲥ), 279v

ⲙⲁⲇⲓⲁⲙ, 294r ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁ̀, 271v, 272r, 274v, 275r, 275v, 276r, 276r, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 277r, 280r, 281r, 281v, 283r, 284r, 285r, 285r, 285r, 287r, 287v, 287v, 288r, 288v, 289v, 290r, 291v, 292r, 293r, 293v, 294v, 294v, 295v, 296r, 296v, 297v, 297v, 298v, 299v, 300r, 300r, 301r, 301r, 301v, 301v, 302r, 302r, 303r, 305v, 306r, 306r, 306v, 307r, 307r, 307v, 307v, 308r, 308r, 308v, 309r, 309v, 309v, 310r, 310r, 310v ⲙⲁⲣⲓⲁⲙ, 291r, 303r, 304r, 304v ⲙⲉⲥⲓⲁⲥ, 308r ⲙⲉⲭⲓⲁⲥ, 282r, 299v ⲙⲱⲩⲥⲏⲥ, 271v, 272v, 274r, 274r, 274r, 275v, 285v, 291v, 294r, 294r, 294v, 294v, 304v, 308r ⲛⲉⲫⲑⲁⲗⲓⲙ, 293r ⲛⲏⲥⲟⲥ, 298r ⲛⲱⲉ̀, 309r ⲡⲁⲩⲗⲟⲥ, 291r

ⲥⲓⲛⲁ, 271v ⲥⲓⲱⲛ, 307r, 307r, 310v ⲥⲱⲗⲟⲙⲱⲛ, 289v

ⲭⲏⲙⲓ, 274r, 290r, 294v, 304v

INDEX OF GREEK WORDS Abbreviated forms appear as different entries. If the same word appears with a different spelling, they will appear in different enteries. If the same word is repeated in the same folio, the folio number will appear twice or more. 297r, 299v, 305v, 306v, 307v, 310r ⲁⲗⲗⲁ, 271v, 272v, 273v, 302r, 303r, 303v, 308r, 308v, 309r, 309r, 310r, 310r ⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ, 303v

ⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲛ, 308r

ⲁ̀ⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ, 272v, 276r, 276v, 276v, 278r, 280v, 281r, 284v, 292r, 294v, 295r, 297r, 297v, 299v, 300v, 303r, 304r, 305v, 306r, 307r ⲁⲅⲁⲡⲏ, 295r

ⲁ̀ⲛⲁⲧⲟⲗⲏ, 295r

ⲁⲛⲟⲙⲓⲁ, 272r, 280v, 282r, 283v, 288r, 288v, 297v, 299v, 301v ⲁⲝⲓⲟⲥ, 274v, 287r, 289v, 299v

ⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ, 273v, 273v, 274v, 276v, 278r, 279r, 280r, 280v, 282r, 282v, 283r, 284r, 284v, 286r, 287v, 288v, 290r, 291r, 291r, 291v, 291v, 292r, 292v, 292v, 295r, 297r, 297r, 301r, 302r, 304v, 305v, 305v, 307v ⲁⲅⲓⲁ, 281v, 284r, 285v

ⲁ̀ⲡⲁⲑⲏⲥ, 297v, 297v ⲁⲡⲁⲣⲭⲏ, 283v

ⲁ̀ⲡⲁⲧⲏ, 278v, 303v

ⲁ̀ⲡⲟⲥⲧⲟⲗⲟⲥ, 276v, 287r, 287v, 289r, 291r, 298v ⲁⲣⲭⲉⲟⲥ, 279r

ⲁⲓⲇⲓⲟⲥ, 280v

ⲁ̀ⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ (different spellings), 284v, 292r ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲏⲛⲏ, 309v, 295r

ⲁⲣⲭⲏ, 277v, 289r, 300v, 309r ⲁⲣⲭⲏⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ, 273v

ⲁⲫⲣⲁⲕⲧⲟⲛ, 305v

ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲛ, 295v, 301v

ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲥ, 290v, 292v, 306v

ⲁⲗⲏⲑⲱⲥ, 274v, 279r, 287r, 289v,

155

ⲁⲭⲱⲣⲓⲧⲟⲥ, 272r, 273v, 280r, 283v, 283v, 285r, 287v, 287v, 288v, 296v, 307r, 307v, 308v,

156

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

310r ⲃⲁⲥⲓⲗⲓⲕⲟⲛ, 284v, 309v

ⲃⲁⲧⲟⲥ, 288r, 293v, 294r, 294v, 299v, 305r ⲃⲏⲙⲁ, 304r ⲃⲟⲏ̀ⲑⲓ̀ⲁ, 275v, 299v, 302r

ⲃⲟⲏⲑⲓⲛ, 280r, 281v, 283r, 304r

ⲃⲟⲏⲑⲟⲥ, 276r, 282v, 288r, 296r, 307r, 310r ⲅⲁⲙⲟⲥ, 289r, 291v

ⲅⲁⲣ, 274v, 279r, 281r, 283r, 286v, 290v, 291r, 297r, 298r, 298v, 300r, 302r, 304v, 306v, 307r, 308r ⲅⲉ, 279r

ⲅⲉⲛⲟⲥ, 272r, 276r, 281r, 281r, 282r, 288v, 289r, 290v, 296v, 297r, 306r, 306r, 307r, 307v ⲅⲛⲟⲫⲟⲥ, 285v ⲇⲉ, 274r, 301r

ⲇⲉⲙⲱⲛ, 304v, 305v

ⲇⲉⲥⲡⲟⲧⲁ, 276r, 280r, 307r ⲇⲉⲥⲡⲟⲧⲏⲥ, 305v ⲇⲓⲁⲑⲏⲕⲏ, 308v

ⲇⲓⲕⲉⲟⲥ, 272r, 284r, 289r, 292v, 302r, 310v ⲇⲓⲙⲁ (ⲧⲓⲙⲏ?), 296v

ⲇⲟⲡⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ (ⲧⲟⲡⲁⲍⲓⲟⲛ?), 275v ⲇⲱⲣⲟⲛ, 298r

ⲉⲑⲛⲟⲥ, 286v, 293r

ⲉⲕⲕⲗⲏⲥⲓⲁ, 276v, 306v, 309v ⲉ̀ⲗⲁⲭⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ (different spellings), 274v, 288r, 303r, 310r ⲉⲗⲉⲩⲑⲉⲣⲓⲁ, 277r, 282v ⲉⲛⲧⲟⲗⲏ, 277v, 278r

ⲉ̀ⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ̀, 285r

ⲉⲝⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁⲥⲧⲏⲥ, 280v ⲉ̀ⲡⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀, 283r

ⲉⲡⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛⲓⲟⲛ, 284v, 293r, 311r

ⲉⲣⲙⲉⲛⲓⲁ, 271v, 277r, 283r, 288r, 293v, 299v, 305r ⲉⲣⲏⲙⲟⲥ, 276v ⲉⲧⲓ, 277v

ⲉⲧⲓⲛ, 280r

ⲉⲩⲭⲏ, 297r

ⲉ̀ⲱⲛ, 273r, 273r, 273r, 274v, 275v, 276v, 277v, 283r, 285r, 286r, 287r, 288v, 290v, 291v, 293v, 294v, 295r, 295v, 296v, 297v, 302v, 308v ⲍⲱⲩⲥ, 286v ⲏ̀ⲭⲟⲥ, 277r

ⲇⲓⲙⲏ, 290v

ⲏ︦ⲭ︦, 271v

ⲇⲩⲙⲓⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ (different spelling from the previous word), 291v, 298v, 307v ⲇⲟⲝⲟⲗⲟⲅⲓ̀ⲁ, 282v, 283v, 288r

ⲑⲉⲟⲇⲟⲕⲓⲁ (for another spelling, see below), 271v, 277r, 283r, 288r, 293v, 305r

ⲇⲓⲙⲓⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ, 280v, 306v

ⲏⲭ , 299v

INDEX OF GREEK WORDS ⲑⲉⲟ̀ⲣⲓⲁ̀, 285v ⲑ︦ⲥ︦, 276r

ⲑⲉⲟⲥ, 282v, 297v ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲓⲁ, 299v

ⲑⲉⲟⲧⲟⲕⲟⲥ, 271v, 271v, 272r, 272v, 274v, 276v 281v, 283v, 284r, 284v, 286r, 287r, 289r, 289r, 290v, 291v, 291v, 292r, 292r, 295r, 295v, 297r, 297v, 297v, 297v, 298v298v299r, 300r, 300v, 301r, 303r, 304r, 304v, 305r, 306r, 308v, 309r, 310r, 310r ⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ, 284v, 299r, 300v, 305v, 309v ⲑⲩⲥⲓⲁ, 276r

157

291r, 291r, 292v, 294r, 294r, 294r, 295r, 295r, 295v, 297r, 297v, 299v, 299v, 300r, 300v, 301r, 302v, 305v, 305v, 306r, 307r, 308r ⲕⲁⲧⲁⲡⲧⲉⲥⲙⲁ, 279v

ⲕⲉ, 280v, 289v, 297v, 298v, 299v, 302r ⲕⲏⲡⲟⲥ, 303r ⲕⲗⲁⲧⲟⲥ, 287r, 294v ⲕⲟⲓⲛⲱⲛⲓⲁ, 275v

ⲕⲟⲥⲙⲟⲥ, 274v, 281r, 286v, 295r, 295v, 300r, 304v, 306v, 309r, 309v, 310v ⲕⲣⲓⲧⲏⲥ, 296v ⲕⲧⲏⲥⲓⲥ, 277r, 305v

ⲓⲉ̀ⲣⲟⲯⲁⲗⲧⲏⲥ, 307r

ⲕⲩⲃⲱⲧⲟⲥ, 272v, 305r, 308v, 308v, 309r, 309v ⲕⲩⲑⲁⲣⲁ, 289v, 298r, 307r, 310v

ⲓⲱⲧⲁ, 272r

ⲕⲩⲣⲓⲍⲓⲛ, 276v

ⲓⲇⲱⲗⲟⲛ, 290r

ⲓⲥⲭⲩⲣⲟⲥ, 282v

ⲕⲁⲑⲁⲣⲟⲥ, 274r, 274v, 287r, 288v, 291v, 303r, 304r, 305r, 305r, 306r, 306v, 307v, 308r, 310r ⲕⲁⲕⲓⲁ, 296r

ⲕⲩⲙⲓⲗⲗⲓⲟⲛ, 287v ⲗⲁⲅⲟⲥ, 296r

ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ, 295r

ⲗⲁⲟⲥ, 272r, 273v, 274r, 274r, 282r, 285v, 286v, 289v, 291v, 294r, 294r, 297r, 297v, 299v, 303r, 304v, 308v, 309v ⲗⲓⲃⲁⲛⲟⲥ, 298r

ⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲛ, 276r, 308v

ⲗⲟⲅⲓⲕⲟⲛ, 291v

ⲕⲁⲗⲁⲙⲱⲛ, 275v, 298v, 307v

ⲕⲁⲡⲛⲟⲥ, 285v

ⲕⲁⲣⲡⲟⲥ, 277v, 284r, 284r, 287r, 295r, 295r, 295v, 301v, 303r, 306r, 308v ⲕⲁⲧⲁ, 271v, 271v, 272r, 272v, 273r, 273r, 276r, 277r, 280r, 280r, 281v, 283r, 284r, 285v, 286r, 287v, 288v, 288v, 291r,

ⲗⲟⲅⲓⲕⲏ, 284r, 303r, 310r

ⲗⲟⲅⲟⲥ, 271v, 272v, 273r, 276r, 276v, 276v, 277v, 279r, 282r, 283v, 284r, 285r, 287v, 288v, 290v, 291r, 292v, 293v, 294v, 297v, 298v, 301r, 304r, 306r, 306v, 308r ⲗⲟⲓⲡⲟⲛ, 304r

158

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

ⲗⲩⲭⲛⲓ̀ⲁ, 275v, 298v, 307v ⲙⲁⲅⲟⲥ, 298r

ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲍⲓⲛ, 301v, 306r ⲙⲁⲕⲁⲣⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ, 286r

ⲙⲁⲛⲛⲁ, 274r, 274r, 274v, 308v, 308v, 308v ⲙⲁⲣⲅⲁⲣⲓⲧⲏⲥ, 284r ⳥, 284r

ⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ, 276v, 298v ⲙⲉⲣⲟⲥ, 271v

ⲙⲉⲥⲓⲁⲥ, 308r

ⲙⲉⲥⲓⲧⲏⲥ, 272r

ⲙⲉⲧⲁⲛⲟⲓ̀ⲁ, 273r ⲙⲏⲡⲟⲧⲉ, 278r

ⲙⲏⲧⲣⲁ, 299r, 301v ⲙⲟⲛⲁⲭⲟⲥ, 284v

ⲙⲟⲛⲟⲅⲉⲛⲏⲥ, 280v, 289r, 295r, 295v ⲙⲟⲣⲫⲏ, 307v ⲙⲩⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ, 280v, 285v, 291v, 293r, 293v, 296r, 300r, 301v, 306v, 307v ⲛⲏⲥⲟⲥ (may also be a proper name—it therefore appears in both indexes), 298r, 298r ⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ, 274v ⲛⲟⲏⲣⲟⲛ, 288v

ⲛⲟⲏⲧⲉ, 291v, 296v, 303r ⲛⲟⲏ̀ⲧⲟⲛ, 295r, 295v

ⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ, 308v

ⲛⲟⲩⲥ, 286r, 293r, 296r

ⲛⲩⲙⲫⲓⲟⲥ, 288v, 306v

ⲝⲁⲡⲓⲛⲁ, 302r

ⲝⲉⲣⲉⲧⲟⲛ, 286r, 288v, 297v ⲝⲩⲗⲟⲛ, 286v

ⲟⲓⲕⲟⲩⲙⲉⲛⲏ, 286v, 295r

ⲟⲙⲟⲟⲩⲥⲓⲟⲥ, 293v, 297r, 299v, 303v ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲓⲁ̀, 276v, 309r

ⲟⲣⲑⲟⲇⲟⲝⲟⲥ, 274v, 287r, 287r, 287v, 306r, 307r ⲟⲩⲇⲉ, 274r ⲟⲩⲣⲁⲛⲓⲟⲛ, 275v

ⲡⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲓⲁ, 275v, 295r, 295v ⲡⲁⲑⲟⲥ, 295v

ⲡⲁⲗⲓⲛ, 281v, 303v, 307r, 310v

ⲡⲁⲛⲁⲅⲓⲁ, 274v, 281v, 287r, 296r, 300r ⲡⲁⲛⲥⲟⲫⲟⲥ, 273r, 291r, 299r, 305v, 307v, 309v ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲟⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ, 289r

ⲡⲁⲣⲁ, 292v

ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲁⲥⲓⲥ, 282r, 295r, 295v, 307v ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲃⲉⲛⲓⲛ, 278r

ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲓⲥⲟⲥ, 277v, 278r, 278r, 284v, 291v, 295r, 295r, 295r, 295r, 295v, 295v, 303r, 303r, 309r ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲇⲟⲝⲟⲛ, 286r, 297v, 305v, 309r ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲛ, 272v, 296r, 305r ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲗⲏⲧⲟⲥ, 293r, 293v, 297r, 299v, 301v, 304r, 305r, 306v, 308v

INDEX OF GREEK WORDS

159

ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲡⲧⲱⲙⲁ, 282r

ⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ, 289v, 292v, 302v

ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲁ̀, 280v, 283v, 284r, 286v, 289r, 297v, 309r ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲕⲏ, 297r

ⲡⲣⲉⲡⲓ, 277v, 293v, 297r, 299v, 300v, 303v, 304v, 307v ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲉⲩⲓⲛ, 298v

ⲡⲁⲣⲉⲥⲕⲉⲩⲉ, 299v

ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲓⲕⲟⲛ, 291v

ⲡⲁ︦ ⲣ︦, 272r, 273r, 275v, 276r, 279r, 281v, 282r, 283r, 283v, 289r, 290r, 291r, 291v, 291v, 291v, 292r, 293v, 294v, 294v, 295r, 295v, 296v, 296v, 297r, 297r, 297v, 299r, 300r, 300v, 301v, 301v, 302r, 302v, 303r, 304r, 304v, 305r, 305r, 305v, 305v, 306v, 307r, 307v, 308r, 308r, 309r, 311r ⲡⲁⲣⲑⲉⲛⲟⲥ, 272v, 273v, 274v, 277v, 279r, 287r, 288v, 288v, 289r, 289r, 290v, 291r, 291v, 93v, 294v, 296r, 297r, 297v, 302v, 310r ⲡⲁⲣⲣⲏⲥⲓ̀ⲁ, 275v ⲑ

ⲡⲁⲣⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ, 277r

ⲡⲁⲧⲣⲓⲁⲣⲭⲏⲥ, 276v, 289r, 291r, 292r, 298v ⲡⲑⲟⲛⲓⲛ (ⲫⲑⲟⲛⲓⲛ), 278r

ⲡⲟⲣⲛⲏ, 292r

ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ, 272r, 274v, 280r, 281v, 284v, 288r, 297r, 301v ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲉⲩⲓ̀ⲛ, 304r ⲡⲣⲟⲥ, 273v

ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲉⲩⲭⲏ, 277r, 280r, 285r, 288r, 298r, 299r ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲧⲁⲧⲏⲥ, 304r, 310r, 310v

ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲉⲩⲓⲛ, 280v 282r

ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲁ, 277r, 280r, 286r, 308r ⲡⲣⲟⲥⲧⲁⲧⲏⲥ, 276r

ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ, 276v, 285v, 285v, 287r, 289r, 289v, 291r, 293r, 297r, 298v, 300r, 305v, 306r, 307r, 308r, 308r, 310v ⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ, 280v ⲡⲩⲅⲏ, 303r

ⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲓⲁ, 275v, 288v

ⲡⲩⲗⲏ, 280r, 280r, 288v, 291v, 291v, 295r, 295v, 307v, 309r, 309r, 310r ⲡⲱⲥ, 291r

ⲡⲗⲏⲛ, 272v, 281v, 309v, 309v

ⲣⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ, 284r, 291v, 294v, 306r

ⲡⲗⲁⲝ, 271v, 272r, 308v

ⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦, 271v, 274r, 275v, 277r, 279r, 283v, 291r, 293r, 293v, 294r, 296r, 297r, 297r, 299v, 300r, 301r, 301v, 303v, 303v, 304r, 305r, 305r, 305r, 306v, 308v ⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ⲧⲓⲕⲏ, 300r

ⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ, 302v

ⲡ︦ⲛ︦ⲁ︦ⲧⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ, 284v

ⲥⲁⲃⲁⲱⲑ, 271v

ⲥⲁⲃⲃⲁⲧⲟⲛ, 305r

ⲥⲁⲗⲡⲓⲅⲅⲟⲥ, 285v, 302r

ⲥⲁⲝ (read ⲡⲗⲁⲝ?), 308v

ⲥⲁⲣⲝ, 272r, 279r, 279r, 281r, 281v, 281v, 282r, 282r, 283r, 283v, 283v, 286r, 287r, 289r, 290v, 293r, 293v, 293v, 293v,

160

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

295r, 295v, 296v, 298v, 299r, 299v, 301v, 303r, 304r, 306r, 307r, 309r, 310v ⲥⲁⲧⲁⲛⲁⲥ, 278r, 279v, 282v, 295r, 295v, 305v, 309v ⲥⲉⲣⲁⲫⲓⲙ, 273v, 305v ⲥⲓⲛⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ (there is a different reading below), 276r ⲥⲕⲁⲛⲇⲁⲗⲟⲛ, 287r ⲥⲕⲉⲩⲟⲥ, 271v, 308v

ⲥⲕⲩⲛⲏ, 271v, 271v, 271v, 273r, 274r, 303r, 308r, 308r, 310r ⲥⲟⲫⲓⲁ, 277r, 295r ⲥⲡⲉⲣⲙⲁ, 277v, 286r, 298v, 308v ⲥⲧⲁⲙⲛⲟⲥ, 274r, 308v, 308v ⲥⲧⲁⲩⲣⲟⲫⲟⲣⲟⲥ, 276v, 287r ⳧, 279v, 284v, 303r

ⲧⲁⲅⲙⲁ, 284v, 288v, 292v, 293r, 311r ⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ, 305v ⲧⲁⲣⲧⲁⲣⲟⲥ, 293r ⲧⲉⲗⲱⲛⲏⲥ, 292r ⲧⲉⲭⲛⲓⲧⲏⲥ, 272r, 290r ⲧⲟⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ (ⲡⲩⲣⲅⲟⲥ?), 307v ⲧⲣⲁⲡⲉⲍⲁ, 300r ⲧⲣⲓⲁ̀ⲧⲓⲕⲟⲛ, 284v ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ, 292v, 293v, 297r, 299v, 303v ⲧⲩⲡⲟⲥ, 274v ⲩ︦ⲥ︦, 276r ⲩⲗⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ, 273v, 273v

ⲥⲧⲩⲗⲗⲟⲥ, 309r

ⲩⲡⲉⲣ, 297r

ⲥⲩⲛⲑⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ, 280v (different

306v, 307v

ⲩⲟⲥ (read ⲩⲓⲟⲥ), 297v

ⲥⲧⲟⲗⲏ, 277v

ⲥⲩⲛⲟⲩⲥⲓⲁ̀

ⲥⲱⲧⲏⲣ, 277v, 285r, 304r, 304v,

reading

above), 283v, 286r, 289r ⲥⲩⲛⲧⲉⲗⲓⲁ̀, 272v, 283v, 283v, 285r, 288r, 298r ⲥⲩⲛⲭⲱⲣⲓⲛ, 293r, 297v ⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲥ, 288v ⲥⲱⲙⲁ, 275v, 295r, 295v, 301v ⲥⲱⲙⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ, 273r, 277v, 281r, 287v, 291r, 291v, 292v, 297v ⲥ︦ⲱ︦ⲣ̄, 276v, 282v, 285v, 286r, 288r, 289v, 291v, 295r, 295v, 297r, 297v, 302r, 303r

ⲫⲁⲛⲧⲁⲥⲓⲁ, 283v ⲫⲩⲗⲏ, 276r, 299v, 307r ⲫⲩⲥⲓⲥ, 273r, 287v, 288v, 293v, 308v ⲫⲱⲥⲧⲏⲣ, 295r ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉⲥⲑⲉ, 275v ⲭⲉⲣⲉ, 273v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 276v, 282r, 284v, 284v, 285r, 285r, 285r, 285r, 285r, 288r, 290r, 291r, 291v, 291v, 291v,

INDEX OF GREEK WORDS

161

291v, 291v, 291v, 291v, 292r, 296r, 296v, 297r, 297r,

ⲯⲩⲭⲏ, 277r, 280r, 282v, 284r,

303r, 304r, 305v, 306v,

285r, 294r, 295r, 296v,

307v, 310r, 311r

298v, 299r, 299r, 303r,

ⲭⲉⲣⲉⲧⲓⲥⲙⲟⲥ, 291r, 305v, 306r, 306v, 311r

303v, 304r, 307r ⲯⲩⲭⲟⲛ, 302v

ⲭⲉⲣⲟⲩⲃⲓⲙ, 275v, 287v, 305v ⲭ︦ⲥ̄, 273r, 274r, 274v, 274v 275v, 275v, 276r, 276r, 276v, 277v, 279r, 280v, 281r, 281r, 281r, 281v, 282v, 282v, 284v, 285r, 285r, 286v, 286v, 287v, 287v, 288r, 288r, 289v, 290r, 290v, 291r, 291v, 291v, 293r, 293v, 294v, 295r, 296r, 296v, 297r, 297r, 297v, 298v, 299r, 299v, 300r, 300r, 300v, 300v, 301r, 301v, 301v, 303r, 303r, 303v, 303v, 304r, 304v, 305r, 306r, 306r, 306v, 307r, 307r, 307v, 307v, 308v, 309v, 310r ⲭⲣⲟⲛⲟⲥ, 271v, 280v, 288v, 289r, 293v, 297r, 297v ⲭⲱⲣⲓⲥ, 276r, 283v ⲭⲱⲣⲟⲥ, 292v ⲯⲁⲗⲓⲛ, 289v, 305r, 307r, 307r, 310v ⲯⲁⲗⲕⲁⲧⲏⲥ, 308r ⲯⲁⲗⲙⲱⲧⲟⲥ, 307r

ⲱ̀ⲥⲁⲛⲛⲁ, 279v, 279v ϩⲉⲗⲡⲓⲥ, 273r, 276v, 280r, 282v, 288r, 298r, 300v, 301v ϩⲏⲅⲟⲩⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ, 282r ϩⲓⲕⲱⲛ, 277r ϩⲓⲛⲁ, 277v, 281v, 285v, 310r ϩⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ, 275v, 283r, 284v, 286v, 292r, 296v ϩⲟⲗⲱⲥ, 291r ϩⲟⲣⲁⲥⲓⲥ, 309v ϩⲟⲣⲟⲥ, 271v ϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲥ, 276v, 279r, 282r, 282v, 286r, 289r, 302r, 304r ϩⲩⲙⲛⲟⲧⲟⲥ, 282v, 292r, 292v, 294r, 298r, 299r, 305r, 310r ϩⲩⲡⲟⲙⲟⲛⲏ, 287r ϩⲩⲡⲟⲥⲧⲁⲥⲓⲥ, 272v, 281v, 290v, 293v, 298v, 308v, 310v ϩⲱⲇⲏ, 289r, 309v ϩⲱⲥ, 274r, 282v, 294v, 306v

INDEX OF BIBLICAL REFERENCES

Genesis 2:17 3:3 3:16 3:17-19 3:22 28:12 28:17

Fol. 295r Fol. 295r Fol. 278v Fol. 278v Fol. 278v Fol. 284r, 310r Fol. 310r

Exodus 3:2–6 15:11 19:19

Fol. 294r Fol. 283r Fol. 285v

Psalms 5:2 5:5? 6:1 6:2? 7:5 12:7 13:1 17:6 18:1–2 18:9 22:1–2

Fol. 299r Fol. 284r Fol. 281r Fol. 278r Fol. 280r, 281v, 302v Fol. 273r, 283r Fol. 280v, 292v, 303v Fol. 299v Fol. 288r Fol. 281r Fol. 296v

163

164 26:6-8 27:1 27:4 27:8 28:2 31:2 35:3 35:22 38:22 39:12 39:12? 40:13 40:17 44:26 45:10 46:4 46:5 48:1 48:2 50:1 50:1–2 50:10–11 54:1 63:1 64:1 68:1 68:15–16 68:31? 69:3 69:29 70:1 70:5 71:2 71:6 71:12 72:6 72:7–13 72:10

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS Fol. 296v Fol. 282v Fol. 292v Fol. 296v Fol. 299r Fol. 271v, 299v Fol. 304r Fol. 296r Fol. 281v, 283r Fol. 299r Fol. 277r Fol. 283r Fol. 299r Fol. 276r Fol. 292v Fol. 292v Fol. 311v Fol. 292v Fol. 285v, 288r Fol. 280r Fol. 311v Fol. 275v Fol. 284r Fol. 285r Fol. 299r Fol. 277r Fol. 309r Fol. 286v Fol. 296r Fol. 299r Fol. 283r Fol. 299r Fol. 299v Fol. 283r Fol. 283r Fol. 308r Fol. 286v Fol. 298r

INDEX OF BIBLICAL REFERENCES 72:15 74:12 77:20 83:1 86:1 87:3 87:5 87:7 88:2 89:1 89:7 89:13 90:17 95:1–4 96:1–2 96:11 102:1 103:2 109:22 116:16 118:138 118:164 119:10 119:12 119:25 119:97 119:169 119:170 129:1 130:1 132:6 132:8 132:11 132:13 132:13–14 134:1 135:3 138[139]:7–10

Fol. 298r Fol. 311v Fol. 294r Fol. 296r Fol. 299v Fol. 285v, 288r Fol. 307r Fol. 292v Fol. 299v Fol. 302v Fol. 293v Fol. 281r Fol. 292v Fol. 273r Fol. 290v Fol. 309v Fol. 299r Fol. 299v Fol. 299r Fol. 288v Fol. 304r Fol. 281r Fol. 285r, 296v Fol. 284r Fol. 294r Fol. 274r Fol. 285r Fol. 294r Fol. 280v Fol. 280v Fol. 298r Fol. 299v Fol. 299r Fol. 305r, 307r Fol. 293v Fol. 274r Fol. 292r Fol. 304v

165

166

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

139:7 142:5-6 143:2 143:8 143:9 149:1

Fol. 281v Fol. 280r Fol. 280r Fol. 277r Fol. 277r Fol. 273r, 289v

Proverbs 19:12 31:29

Fol. 308r Fol. 302v

Song of Songs 4:7–9 5:2 6:4

Fol. 289v, 302v Fol. 289v Fol. 289v, 302v

Isaiah 7:14 9:1–2 9:6 12:2 19:1 27:19 45:5–6, 21–22 53:3 60:3

Fol. 297r, 308r Fol. 293r Fol. 280v Fol. 298v Fol. 290r Fol. 308r Fol. 285v, 298r Fol. 300r Fol. 289v

Ezekiel 43:4 44:1–2

Fol. 280r, 288v, 309r Fol. 280r, 288v, 309r

Daniel 2:34, 42 7:13

Fol. 286v Fol. 301v

Joel 3:31

Fol. 279v

INDEX OF BIBLICAL REFERENCES Micah 5:2 5:7-8?

Fol. 282r Fol. 299v

Hosea 13:4

Fol. 285v, 298r

Malachi 4:2

Fol. 300r, 308r

Matthew 1:20 1:23 2:13 3:17 13:44? 13:45 21:7–11 27:1

Fol. 297r Fol. 290r, 297r Fol. 290r Fol. 279r Fol. 302v Fol. 284r Fol. 279v Fol. 279v

Mark 1:11 2:4–8 11:7–11 15:38

Fol. 279r Fol. 274v Fol. 279v Fol. 279v

Luke 1:26–35 1:28–31 2:14 3:23 15:18 19:35–38 23:42 23:45

Fol. 291r Fol. 306v Fol. 283r, 292r Fol. 279r Fol. 304v Fol. 279v Fol. 279v, 283r, 284v Fol. 279v

John 1:14

Fol. 279r

167

168

THE INTERPRETATIONS OF THE THEOTOKIAS

1:18 2:1–12 11:1–45

Fol. 287v Fol. 279v Fol. 279v

Acts 1:9–11 2:26

Fol. 280r Fol. 296v

Romans 8:15, 23 9:4

Fol. 274r Fol. 274r

1 Corinthians 8:4–6

Fol. 285v, 298r

2 Corinthians 10:4?

Fol. 305v

Galatians 4:4 4:5

Fol. 275r, 278v, 283r, 289r, 294v, 297v Fol. 274r

Philippians 2:7 2:8 2:10–5

Fol. 305v, 307v Fol. 283v Fol. 301r

Hebrews 1:1–2 4:15; 9:28 11:10 13:8

Fol. 291r Fol. 294v Fol. 272r Fol. 281v, 285r, 290v, 293v, 300r

1 John 1:1

Fol. 281v