SSCN Voumes 1-10, 1994-2004

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter

i. The author using the words of king David to uncomplimentary describe the king's servants who were verbally abusing the martyr while confined in prison. f.48v l.25-7

aukw] e roi n je ouyo n ouhwr ouoh oucunagwg/ n jajbwn pe e tac a moni m moi

"They gathered around me namely a bunch of dogs and a company of evil chiefs has grabbed me."

j. The king is described as being afraid as a result of the martyr's second appearance to him after his death. f.54v l.15-6 afmahf n ho] ouoh afhopf e bol harof He was filled with fear and he hid himself from him

Why is our Saint not included in the Coptic Synaxarium?:

Synaxarium; who, for some reason, did not think it should be included.

This is another puzzling question about this text. We know that the Synaxarium of the Coptic Church was written around that time period. So why is not there? Fr. Marcos, the priest who recorded this martyrdom, intended it to be used in the celebration of this martyr. From the rather pristine shape of the manuscript, it did not seem to have been ecclesiastically used. The manuscript does not have any mention of being donated to St. Macarius Monastery. So under what circumstances did it arrive there? Are all these things related. In any case the following scenarios are possible:

2. The manuscript, judging by its sensitive nature, was smuggled to the monastery and hidden among manuscripts of earlier dates for safe keeping. Thus making it unavailable to the compilers, or rejected by them for its sensitive nature. Or was it the deficiency of miracles that made it unfavorable! But there is no doubt that when such text would have been OK to include, it was not available to those doing the work. As one can see there is more questions than answers. However, now that it is available again, the Coptic Church should seriously consider its inclusion in the Synaxarium. (to be continued)

1. The manuscript was transported to the monastery to be used by the compilers of the

ST. SHENOUDA'S WRITINGS (6) (by Ashraf Hanna)

This is a text translation from a second Arabic sermon of St. Shenouda read on the 1st Sunday during Lent in the Coptic Church. The text was transcribed from a microfilm copy of Paris Arabe 4761 (CML 1592).

St. Shenouda Coptic Newsletter in this holy church, for acceptance of this fast. And makes you from among those who pleased God with their good deeds so God will have compassion and pity upon you. (4v) ... A Second Sermon to be read on the first Sunday of the Holy Fast:

In the name of the living, holy God, Creator of the bodies and the souls, who made thanksgiving due upon us forever. And made us praise and glorify Him for his great mercy and favor for us. For as we fell down, He raises us up, and as we sinned and repented, He forgave us. Behold now He congratulates you O the Christian people, gathered

As it is written in the book of Exodus which (5R) is the second book of the Holy Torah, "I have mercy upon whom I want to have mercy on, and have pity upon whom I want to have pity on, and have compassion upon whom I want to have compassion

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