SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

14th Vision missing (?)

missing (?)

Missing (?)

From the list above, the reader can observe the fragmentary nature of this book in dialects other than B. Also there is no indication that the apocryphal (?) 14th Vision was part of any manuscript in these dialects, judging by their older age. Position of the Book within the Canon of the Coptic Old Testament: Unlike Greek manuscripts of the Bible, there is no one manuscript that contained the entire text of the Coptic Bible, or even the complete Old or New Testament. This makes the task of determining the original position it occupied very difficult. In B we find the majority of the manuscripts placing it following the Minor Prophets. In S on the other hand, we have only one manuscript from the famous St. Shenouda (White) Monastery library (Z12) having this book with other books of the Old Testament. There, it is placed after the Book of Judges. Its inclusion with the Historical Books may either be a local tradition of the White Monastery or a tradition of the Sahidic version of the Old Testament. More evidence is needed before such determination can be made with any certainty. Use of the Book in Ecclesiastical Readings and Liturgical Services: The current system of liturgical services in the Coptic Church has utilized certain portions of this book in its services. The evidence of usage, found in the manuscript and still in existence to this day, is summarized as follows:

1. Odes, following the Psalms which were used in the vigil of Bright Saturday. [Susanna, and the prayers of the Three Holy Youth] 2. Third Ode in the Office of the Annual and the Kiahk Psalmodia. [Prayer of the Three Holy Youth in the furnace] 3. Lections found in the prophecy readings of the Pascha book. [7:9-15 (9th hour of Monday morning), in some manuscripts the text of Susanna, used in #1 above, is included]. It is worthy of mention that the Three Holy Youth have enjoyed a prominent place in Coptic literature and tradition. Though their place in liturgical services is still visible, their popular standing has eroded substantially in modern time. This is mainly due to the deterioration of the Coptic tradition during medieval times. It is sincerely hoped that this trend would reverse and the shining examples of the personalities of this book would achieve their old prominence for the glory of God's Holy name. Final Word: It is clear to the reader now that more work is needed to uncover the treasures that the Coptic version of this book has. Also more investigation of the fascinating 14th vision is overdue, considering the evidence it holds for the history and the thought process of the Copts in the Middle Ages.

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

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