SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

3. Investigation Stage: After all the resources have been prepared, the base text will then be divided up into topics and sub-topics. The division process is dependent on what text is being studied. For example, when looking at the Coptic Agbeyia, the topics will be the different prayer hours and the subtopics will be the psalms and other sections of each prayer hour. The text is then collated (or compared) against the items included in the critical apparatus. This collation will be made first at the topics and sub-topics level, to indicate their presence or absence. Then textual variations or variant readings will be recorded in the standard manner that such texts are done. All these steps are taught as part of the training that such researchers would undergo before performing such work. 4. Evaluation Stage: This stage would involve the classification of the manuscripts in distinct types or patterns. This determination will be made for the most part after completing the topical and sub- topical collation. The items within each identified type will then be compared for common features, such as usage (monastic vs. ecclesiastical), provenance, date range, ...etc. Then the different types are compared for the differing features to determine the pattern of the differences in the same manner. At this stage, wild or unsupported readings or aspects of the service would be pointed out. At advanced stages of research, the evidence gathered would be compared to other similar Christian sources, such as eastern sources (Syro- Palestinians & Greek) and western ones (Roman Catholic).

5. Conclusion Stage: This is the stage when our youth tend to shy away. To alleviate this fear, the following points need to be taken into account: a. The CA is never complete enough to provide definitive conclusions but only intelligent suppositions that can be built on when more evidence is available. b. The conclusions merely present to the ecclesiastical authorities our state of knowledge on the research subject. Even with the above tentative approach, conclusions can be made to rationalize the clear patterns that were identified. This rationalization should always try to explain the evolution of the process and stay away from judging its correctness. However, when the researcher becomes experienced enough in his methodology, he may look deeper into forces that gave rise to this textual evolution. In any case, the two points mentioned above should always be observed. Summary: The methodology, presented above, is primarily directed toward Coptic youth doing research for the benefit of the Coptic Church. It is intended to start them on the path of doing meaningful work to benefit the Church and give specialists in the field a proper foundation to build on. I personally feel that Copts, even with this primitive structured approach, can yield great results to edify their personal faith in their Church as well as help the Coptic Church deal with our turbulent, high-tech age.

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter Liturgical Responses Prior to the Fraction Prayer: Manuscript comparison preliminary Study (by Hany N. Takla)

Introduction: This preliminary study is a typical example of useful work that our Coptic youth can get involved in. It is short in scope, has clear concise objectives, and helps in enhancing our understanding of the most important religious event that we experience, the Coptic Liturgy. I will

attempt to arrange this study along the five stages that have been discussed in an earlier article.

Project Identification: This study was made in response to a request by HG. Bishop Serapion, Coptic bishop of Los Angeles Area. Initially, the

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