Lot 1421
Apophtegmata Patrum Coptic Wood Section, ca. 4th Century AD. A wood section with fragments of an Apophtegmata Patrum written in the Coptic language from the Greek alphabet. Apophtegmata Patrum is the text that has "Sayings of the Fathers". A translation of the partial text includes "he said…(a proper name)… said that…. we become like stone, hard… I do… will separate… soul from… I scattered damage… body with…", the rest is illegible or missing. On the side, it says the usual introduction of the Apophtegmata Patrum with an edification to their disciples. This amazing historical antiquity is the only existing text that documents the names of all four of the fathers. Length: 8 inches (21 cm).
The text names the "Desert Fathers" or the Monks that are said to be the forefathers of modern Christianity: Father Anthony, Father Pachomius, Father Theodore, and Father Shenoute. All these men are considered saints for their lifetime dedication to Christianity. Father Anthony was not the first monk but he had a large following that were attracted to his lifestyle. He gave away all his earthly possessions to live as a hermit and pray. He even caught the attention of the Emperor Constantine I, who asked Anthony to pray for him. One of Father Anthony's disciples was Father Pachomius. Pachomius planned to live as Anthony did until he was divined to create a place hermits could dwell together, thereby creating a monasteries for pious people who were not suited for solitary life. He organized a community for monks to live in. They each had individual rooms, but worked, ate, and worshipped in shared spaces. Father Theodore was the favorite of Pachomius and eventually succeeded him and prevented the monasteries falling apart, after his death. Finally, Father Shenoute was the abbot of the White Monastery, succeeding his uncle and the monastery's founder, Saint Pigol. Father Shenoute was heavily influenced by Pachomius' practices but modernized its application by requiring all his disciples to recite a profession of obedience, disobedience meant expulsion from the monastery. We cannot overestimate the historical importance of this unique piece of early Christianity.
Estimated Value $25,000-UP.
Ex Dr. Patrick Tan Collection, included with Israel Antiquities Authority Export Liscense.
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