SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

lines in red, regular-size characters. The Turuhat are always written in a single column with the first two verses in Coptic followed by the entire text in Arabic. Illumination: There are 15 decorative frames at the top of the page, beginning a major section of the manuscript, as follows: folio 2r First Page 9r Kiahk Ode 18r First Ode

Description of Ms P: Scribe:

Abdel-Massih Matteos Tadros

Ibrahim. Date of Writing: Completed on the 15th of Baramuda 1611 AM (1895 AD).

Call No.: Private Material: Paper. Format: Codex. Size: Approximately 333x236 mm. Numbering: None.

25v Monday Theotokia 33v Tuesday Theotokia 41v Second Ode 49r Wednesday Theotokia 61v Thursday Theotokia 74r Third Ode 102v Friday Theotokia 113v Saturday Theotokia 134r Fourth Ode 145r Sunday Theotokia 201r Morning Doxologies 207v Hymn of the Angels

Colophon: There are four colophons, written in Arabic by the author. The text include the customary expression of humility by the scribe as well as his name and geographical location (Naqadah, situated North of Luxor in Upper Egypt). Translation of the text will be included in an upcoming article. Corrections: Crossed out phrases or letters in several places. Corrections above words in a smaller hand possibly by author are found. Structure: Contains 228 folios. Quires with either 16 or 20 pages (4 or 5 double leaves) each. Binding: Reddish leather binding protects this codex with evidence of two leather straps protruding from each of the front and back covers, used for tying the codex. Both the front and back covers have a series of horizontal and slanted intersecting lines. No clear pattern is apparent. The front cover has several spots of grayish soiled spots as a result of exposure to moisture and dirt. The back cover is in a better shape. The spine is severely damaged and displays a typical stitch binding. Outline: Size of written area is 267-279 x 165- 203 mm, with 10-23 lines. Bilingual sections (Bohairic-Arabic) are in two columns in approximately 4 to 1 ratio. Text in a single column is found in the rubrics or instructions and the Turuhat. The text is generally divided in paragraphs with the customary extended first line. Initial letters are enlarged. The beginning of major Coptic sections typically has the first line in black, capital letters followed by two

There are also numerous illuminated capital letters at the beginning of each paragraph especially the Alpha. Script: Upright vertical strokes, thin style. Superlineation: New-style Jinkim. Stroke over sacra nomina at times with one or multiple red blobs. Punctuation : Paragraph ending and within paragraph using '·|·' in the Coptic text only in bilingual text. Marginalia: On occasions the scribe supplemented his text with words or phrases in the margin, usually written in perpendicular to the text. Sacra Nomina: In the regular tradition of Coptic Manuscripts, there is a number of abbreviations or sacra nomina used in the text and they are as follows: p oc p[oic Lord p ,c pi,rictoc Christ i /c i/couc Jesus eyu eyouab Holy

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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