Tuesday, August 25, 2009

New Leaf from Codex Sinaiticus Update

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As I reported from the Codex Sinaiticus conference in July, Father Justin, librarian at St Catherine's monastery, announced in his presentation on the new finds of 1975 that most probably a new leaf of Codex Sinaiticus has recently been discovered in the binding of another codex by a scholar who is working on the bookbindings of the monastery.

Father Justin showed two different images of the new discovery. This second, if I remember correctly, is an enhanced image revealing more clearly the text from Joshua 1:11 (the text may have been enforced). On this poor photo at least the following text is visible:

τρεις η
μεραι και υμεις δι
αβαιν[ετε το]ν Ιορ
δαν[ην]

At this point it is unclear if and when the fragment will be removed from the binding. It may await future technological advancements.

Father Justin's presentation was one of the best during this conference. Just like our Peter Head he really knew how to handle his Power Point. Father Justin has a very interesting background. He is actually an American, son of Baptist missionaries. Read an interview with Father Justin in Biblical Archaeology Review on-line, "An American Monk in Sinai."

Dan Wallace reports from Father Justin's visit to Dallas in April here.

The person who can be seen sitting in the panel to the right is the archbishop of the monastery, Archbishop Damianos, who had just spoken about "The Shepherd of Hermas and its inclusion in Codex Sinaiticus: almost Scripture." He spoke in Greek and the English translation appeared on the screen.

Other links to the discovery of a new leaf:

Has a New Fragment of Sinaiticus Been Found
Codex Sinaiticus on CNN
Codex Sinaiticus Online

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