May 14th, 2013

The Byzantine GNT: Critical Apparatus Witness List

CSPMT is now completing preparations for publication of a new scholarly Byzantine Text edition of the Greek NT. Each witness in the above listing has been carefully considered for critical apparatus inclusion. We are planning a complete accessible online edition to be posted on a reserved domain for the online edition. A hardcopy edition is also planned for publication. The following list provides the primary witnesses for the critical apparatus for both editions. Additional changes to this list prior to publication are expected to be minor.

Gospels:
Base Text - Kr/fam. 35 consensus text
Group Kx - GA 3 8 14 15 260 275 1110 1120 1452
Group K - 461 1691
Group Λ - 199
Group M - 10 1455
Group 22 - 22 697
Group Π - 1079 1113
Group 7 - 7 1084 1685
Group 1424 - 1424 1675
Group 13 - 826
Group 1 - 1
Kmix - 597 799 1012
Byzantine Uncials - A E M U N Φ Σ Ω
B Text - Aleph B
Papyri - P45 P75
Critical Text - NA28th
Orthodox Text - Antoniades 1912 rev.
Majority Text edits. - HF 1985 RP 2005
Textus receptus - Stephanus 1550
Lectionary MSS - L 381 L 1029 L 1107
Lectionary edits. - Glykos 1754 AD Press 2005
Church Fathers/Commentaries: Chrysostom, Theophylact and others.

Acts & Epistles:
Base Text: Kr/fam. 35 consensus text
K - 049 0124 82 93 457 1720
Kc - 479
I (Western) - 88 1611 1739
H (Alexandrian) - 33 81 1175 1881
Uncials - Aleph A B
Critical Text - NA28th
Orthodox Text - Antoniades 1912 rev.
Majority Text edits. - HF 1985 RP 2005
Textus receptus - Stephanus 1550
Lectionary MSS - L 1153 L 1159
Lectionary edits. - Saliberos 1908 AD Press 2007
Church Fathers - Chrysostom Theodoret Theophylact

Apocalypse:
Base text: c (Complutensian) consensus text.
a (Kappa) - 046 18 82 93 201 1719
b - 250
d - 88
e - 209
f - 91
g - 620
h - 1006
i - 94
Old text Uncials - Aleph A
Critical Text - NA28th
Textus receptus - Stephanus 1550
Orthodox text - Antoniades 1912 rev.
Majority Text edits. - HF 1985 RP 2005

CSPMT expects the print edition of the BGNT to be handy size similar to most UBS GNT editions. The variant units considered are also expected to be similar in number to the UBS editions but with clear and consistent Byzantine MS citation never previously achieved in a Greek NT edition. We encourage and ask our readers prayers for our continued work and preparations for both editions. Thank you.

May 7th, 2013

CSPMT has added Dean John Burgon's two volumes, The Last Twelve Verses of Mark and Causes of Corruption of the Traditional Text of the Holy Gospels to our resources page on our website.

May 2nd, 2013

Byzantine NT Manuscript Scriptoriums – The Studion Monastery and atelier.

Another topic that came up for discussion at the recent NT in Byzantium symposium at Dumbarton Oaks was the manuscript ateliers of the Studion and at the Hodegon Monastery. This article will give a brief overview the Studion Monastery of Constantinople and the atelier or calligraphy school. it was well known for in its production of early high quality decorative NT manuscripts.

The Studion Monastery dedicated to John the Forerunner and its atelier was formed at a very early period in the history of Constantinople. Its influence of monastic lifestyle was later evident at Mt. Athos and beyond. The monastery was founded by Studios a Roman patrician who settled in Constantinople in 462. The Abbott St. Theodore the Studite founded the monastery’s atelier or calligraphy school for the production of manuscripts by 798. By the by the time of St. Theodore’s death in 826, the atelier had grown into the largest NT manuscript production atelier in Constantinople. With victory of Orthodoxy over the iconoclasts in 843, the atelier at the Studion Monastery began to dominate the production of minuscule NT MSS in the early minuscule bouletee and pearl script styles with manuscripts soon appearing that were highly illuminated as well. It is supposed that the Uspenski Gospels (GA 461) dated 835 and written by Nicholas the monk dates from this early period of the Studion’s atelier. Textually, most all manuscripts produced at this time at the Studion Monastery’s atelier were either continuous text manuscripts of Kappa type especially Von Soden’s Kx type or the φ standard non-Kappa Byzantine lectionary manuscripts. One common characteristic was their shared highly illuminated decorative work contained in both types of manuscripts.

Its appears therefore, that the early Kappa NT manuscript production in Constantinople paralleled the activity of the Studion Monastery’s atelier from the early to mid-800s to the fall of Constantinople to the Latins during the Fourth Crusade in 1204 when the Monastery was destroyed. The Monastery was somewhat restored after the restoration in 1290, but the scriptorium or atelier was never restored to its former glory. The text-type and script style of Byzantine manuscripts produced changed at the ascendency of the Palaiologos dynasty’s restoration to Constantinople in 1261. Another well known monastery and atelier soon regained prominence in place of the Studion Monastery, it was the Hodegon Monastery which we will examine more closely in our next article on the aleliers of NT manuscript production in the Byzantine Empire.

In other news at CSPMT, we have added Google’s website language translation bar in our side column menu. The dropdown arrow provides a listing of available languages. We hope this this new feature will assist our non-English speaking viewers and those who prefer the site in their language of choice. We apologize for any translation inaccuracies in the translation tool.

April 30th, 2013

INTFs T&T Cluster Tool: Its use and importance in New Testament textual criticism & the Byzantine text

The printed volumes of INTFs (Institute for New Testament Textual Research) Text & Textwert appeared in several volumes published mainly during the 1980s and 90s but were rather inaccessible for most people. They examined NT manuscript clusters and their relationships through various test passages and selected variant units for comparison.
The online T&T (Text und Textwert) clusters tool utilizes over 460 test variant units from over 2,000 manuscripts from the four Gospels. It was recently a topic of discussion during the recent NT in Byzantium symposium at Dumbarton Oaks. This is a general overview article on its functions and results. The following general observations may be made regarding the online T&T cluster tool and its use in comparing more NT manuscripts.

Operation of the T&T clusters toll is quite user friendly. There are two radial buttons to click for more general specific or strict manuscript groupings and two buttons for searching clusters of more distantly related manuscripts. The chosen manuscript is first selected and entered into the search area to the right of the word Manuscript. The Go! button is then selected for the results of the cluster search. The MT (Majority Text) percentage of variant units in each manuscript is given to the right of each selected manuscript.

The majority of Byzantine manuscripts or bulk MT manuscripts are derived from Von Soden’s K or Kappa text grouping of manuscripts as previously described in earlier articles. When utilizing the T&T cluster tool with various Kx or bulk Byzantine manuscripts the results are interesting. Most clusters searched in the strict cluster grouping results in fewer than thirty closely related manuscripts. This is due to be most manuscripts having a larger amount of surplus readings for each cluster within the Kx textual profile. This can be displayed by inputting a typical Kappa or Kx manuscript in the T&T clusters manuscript search area such as manuscripts 8 or 14 for example. On the other hand, searches made on Kappa r or Kr/fam. 35 manuscripts result in an abundant number of closely related manuscripts from a given search. For instance a strict search parameter made on manuscripts 18 or 83 results in nearly 200 closely related manuscripts with all matching above 97% of total variant units. Other Byzantine groups with members in groups 041, 1216, 22 or the M groups show having less than fifty closely related manuscripts. In addition, all Byzantine manuscripts contain above 75% MT (Majority text) for the test variant units selected in the T&T cluster tool. Family 13 contains an average of 70% MT readings while family 1 returns a reading of less than 60% Byzantine/MT readings form the test passages. It is also of interest that the so-called Alexandrian or “mixed minuscules” match at least 52% of total selected MT readings while B(03) or Codex Vaticanus matches the MT readings only 16.3%. Its own relationship to Codex Sinaiticus (01) is only 65% even without factoring in even more distant readings from the Gospel of John. The closest minuscule manuscript match with B(03) is 892 at 47.2%. P75 the most complete extant papyri has a 86.1% match with Codex Vaticanus while its relationship to (01) Codex Sinaiticus is much lower.

In summary, CSPMT recommends utilizing the T&T cluster tool for study and research in in NT text critical studies as well as for Byzantine NT art historians and illuminations specialists. The overall unity of the Byzantine/Traditional text is affirmed with most manuscripts being rather closely related while the older Alexandrian witnesses are left with few closely related manuscripts in their various clusters. Through use of INTFs T&T clusters tool a more comprehensive picture may be obtained for the researcher and scholar concerning the nature and inter-relationship of various Byzantine manuscript groups. The link for the T&T cluster tool is provided below.

http://intf.uni-muenster.de/TT_PP/TT_Clusters.html

Paul Anderson
CSPMT

April 29th, 2013

Reflections on the Dumbarton Oaks NT in Byzantium Symposium: A new cooperative effort in NT Manuscript Studies.

This past weekend’s NT in Byzantium Symposium sponsored by Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, DC was a tremendous success. Experts from various fields of Byzantine NT manuscript studies gathered together and presented papers on several topics pertaining to Byzantine NT manuscripts. One particular observation which was of special interest to CSPMT was the need for Byzantine NT specialists in the fields of NT Textual Criticism, Art History and Illumination studies to increase communication and cooperation for a more comprehensive understanding of Byzantine Greek NT manuscripts.

A special case in point in this new cooperative effort was brought up by an Byzantine manuscript illumination specialist from Santa Clara University and her use of INTFs Text und Textwert manuscript cluster tool. While researching shared illumination features among high quality Byzantine NT manuscripts, this expert noticed that clusters of NT manuscripts could be more quickly and easily found and grouped through use of this text critical tool now available on the web. This useful tool helped her in finding closely related Byzantine NT manuscripts which shared common illumination features and characteristics among individual manuscripts. We will be examining this manuscript tool in an upcoming article more closley showing how it functions and relates to textual criticism and grouping of NT manuscripts through its utilization.

In the meantime, CSPMT would like to especially thank Dumbarton Oaks for this past weekends successful symposium here in Washignton, DC. We look forward to the continued cooperation and communication among CSPMT and specialists in the field of Byzantine Art & Illumination studies.

Paul Anderson
CSPMT

April 26th, 2013

2013 Byzantine Symposium: Dumbarton Oaks

The New Testament in Byzantium Symposium is currently being held in Washington, DC at Dumbarton Oaks starting today April 26th through April 28th. Today's session will include lectures by David Parker from the University of Birmingham and Georgi Parpulov of Oxford. Among the lecture topics will include the text and genealogy of Byzantine NT MSS along with a session on Byzantine lectionary MSS from Constantinople by Dr. Robert Nelson of Yale. Fr. Maximos of the Simonopetra Monastery will also be presenting a lecture on Pauline theology in Byzantium.

CSPMT founder and president Paul D. Anderson is attending this symposium.

April 23rd, 2013

Theodoros Hagiopatrites: A Byzantine scribe (1278-1301)

There is not much known of the early life of the prolific Byzantine scribe by the name of Theodoros Hagiopatrites. He is known from many signed colophons of NT manuscripts that he wrote from 1278 to the early 1300s. He is typically thought to have originated from Thessaloniki but this is debatable from one of the early manuscripts he wrote. GA 74 (Oxford, Christ Church, Wake 29), states that he wrote this particular manuscript from the village of Hagio Petrou in Arcadia in the south of Greece. Slightly later however he is found at the monastery of Phliokalos in Thessaloniki. It would appear therefore his name at least originated from the Arcadian village he had formerly been at and that Theodoros was itinerant in his literary activities as a Byzantine scribe.

Textually, the manuscripts written by this scribe are of a particular cluster of Byzantine type manuscripts from Von Soden's Kx Byzantine grouping. F. Wisse in his own study of this group later identified this particular cluster of manuscripts as cluster 74 after GA 74 as mentioned above. It contained he found a certain amount of surplus readings varying slightly from the usual Kx Kappa grouping of manuscripts. He categorized nearly 20 manuscripts which were members of Kx-Cl 74. Most of these manuscripts contained signed colophons at the end of each of these manuscripts giving Theodoros Hagiopatrites as the manuscript's scribe. Examples of these known written by Theodoros are GA 74 483 484 856 1594 among several others. These manuscripts exemplify Theodoros' exquisite hand with their decorative calligraphy and artwork which he apparently also added himself. He also wrote a NT manuscript for the wishes of Emperor Michael VII Palaiologos in 1280. Theodoros Hagiopatrites was one of the most prolific scribes in Byzantium outside of the scriptorium of the Hodegon Monastery in Constantinople in which Byzantine calligraphy and production of NT manuscripts would reach its apex.

Next in our series on Byzantine NT scribes we will briefly review the several generations of NT scribes of the Hodegon Monastery in Constantinople which contained probably the most well known and respected scriptorium in Byzantium.

April 19th, 2013

The Byzantine K-Text form in Acts & the Epistles

CSPMT has recently finalized our selection for the Majority or K-text Byzantine MS witnesses for the Book of Acts and the Epistles to be included in the critical apparatus of the the Byzantine Greek New Testament (BGNT) edition. Our brief overview of the the K-text in Acts and Epistles follows.

The Byzantine/Majority text in the Book of Acts and the Epistles is generally divided between the slightly dominant K-text form and the Kr or fam. 35 text form. There are slight variations in both the Book of Acts and the Epistles in what Von Soden had called group Kc. However, this group has little textual solidity in the same way that the dominant K and Kr MS groups maintain. The dominant K-text form is the MS cross over from the K-text found in the Gospels, There are far fewer MSS which contain both Acts and the Epistles than the Gospels alone. The Byzantine K text/Majority MS group compared with Kr/fam. 35 is smaller in terms of total number of MSS compared with its larger share of MSS found within the Gospel MS tradition.

The dominant K-text form is represented by early MSS such as 049 056 0142 among a few others. On the minuscule side are 82 93 457, 1720 among many others. In total there are over 200 K-text MSS which could be considered group members. There are also some complete NT MSS with the K-text form such as GA 1352 1359 and 1597. These MSS maintain the K or Kx profile in the Gospels and the dominant K-text in Acts and the Epistles. On occasion there will be surplus readings in these MSS but in general the K-text MS group remains rather easily detectable.

The second Byzantine text grouping for Acts and the Epistles is Kr or fam. 35. There are over 100 MSS within this grouping. Examples of this MS grouping are the minuscules 18 35 480 824 1072 1503 1637 1740 2554 2723 among many others. This group maintains an unparalled unity and coherance among all MSS within its grouping. Unlike the dominant K-text form, the Kr/fam. 35 group contains very few surplus readings. It should be noted that there are also Apostolos (lectionary) MSS containing Acts and the Epistles which are also closely related to the Kr/fam. 35 text-form. The majority of lectionary MSS in Acts and Epistles contain an independent text-form with slight variation from both the K-text and Kr/fam. 35 groups yet textually maintain an overall Byzantine text profile.

The consensus text from Kr/fam. 35 in the Book of Acts and the Epistles and compiled by CSPMT director Dr. Wilbur N. Pickering will be utilized for the base text of upcoming the Byzantine GNT edition.

April 17th, 2013

George Hermonymous of Sparta - Greek tutor to Erasmus

The Byzantine scribe, diplomat, scholar & lecturer George Hermonymous cir. (1450-1530) of Sparta moved to Paris in 1472 to become the 1st Greek instructor at the Sorbonne. Around 1500, among his students at the university were Erasmus, Reuchlin, Budeus and other future biblical scholars. George Hermonymous was also a diplomat for Pope Sixtus IV for the intended release of the Archbishop of York George Neville.

As a biblical scribe, Hermonymous' manuscripts of the Greek NT composed of what is known today as Byzantine Kx cluster 17. It is composed of GA 17 30 70 287 288 and other manuscripts which were written from an unknown exemplar. Textually, they comprise the majority Kx Byzantine text-form with some surplus readings. GA 17 is a Greek-Latin diglott manuscript and is marvelously illustrated. It is held at the BnF-Paris and is now found on INTFs Virtual Manuscript Room (VMR).

In the next series of brief articles on the Byzantine biblical scribes we will review the work of Theodorus Hagiopatrides.

April 12th, 2013

A new unregistered Byzantine NT manuscript: The Gospel Book of Nikephorus II Phocas

Among the more than 2,000 Greek manuscripts held at the Monastery of the Great Lavra at Mt. Athos are many NT manuscripts which have up until this time have not been registered with the Institute of New Testament Textual Research (INTF) at Münster, Germany. Some of these unregistered manuscripts are part of the sacristy treasures held in the skevophylakion at M. Lavra. One of these of special value is one of the most valued manuscript treasures on M. Athos, the Gospel book of Nikephoros II Phokas.

The Byzantine Emperor Nikephoros II Phokas (cir. 912-969) was a benefactor in the founding of the Great Lavra Monastery on Mt. Athos. Athanasius the Athonite a friend of the emperor, received this valuable lectionary manuscript as a gift upon the dedication of the monastery in 963. It is covered in gold covers with many jewels encased in the covers. This Greek lectionary manuscript is a (lesk) type standard text MS with daily readings through Pentecost with weekend readings in the remainder of the manuscript. It is minuscule script with single column, 142 fols. and 35x24.5cm in dimension and is in an excellent state of preservation with many fine Byzantine illustrations.

CSPMT will continue to release information on these new unregistered Greek New Testament MSS in the near future.

April 9th, 2013

Two Late Byzantine scribes: Metropolitans Luke and Matthew (1596-1627)

Metropolitan Luke of Buzau and Metropolitan Matthew of Myra are two of the better known later Byzantine scribes which both of which wrote several NT MSS. CSPMT will be utilizing MSS by these two scribes in our Byzantine GNT edition.

Metropolitan Luke was a native of Cyprus and was appointed to Turkish province (southern Romania) of Wallachia at Buzau from 1583 until his death in 1629. He was not only a respected ecclesiastical official for the Wallachian court but was considered the most skilled calligrapher since the days of the Hodegon Monastery which had flourished in Constantinople nearly two centuries earlier. Bishop Luke’s signed a colophon on 28 different MSS. Two of these are preserved in the US at the Walters Art Museum (W. 535, L 1029) and its later sister lectionary MS is preserved in the Kenneth W. Clark coll. (Duke Univ. Gr 39, L 2138) which was his last written MS. He also wrote a Kx continuous text MSS preserved in Paris (BnF-100A, GA 289) written in 1623. Others are also preserved at Mt. Athos.

Metropolitan Matthew of Myra (city of St. Nikolaos) was also a well known ecclesiastic of the Wallachia Orthodox Church. He was appointed as abbot of Dealu Monastery after 1609. He was also a skilled Byzantine calligrapher and scribe as well. A friend of Met. Luke’s, Metropolitan Matthew began writing NT MSS near the same time as Met. Luke around 1596. There are several of Met. Matthew’s NT MSS preserved in Jerusalem such as L 1031 and L 1034 and at Mt. Athos among other repositories in the East. The last extant being a lectionary MS written by Met. Matthew of Myra in 1624 (M. Lavra, Ω 145). There are also two beautiful unregistered new NT lectionary MSS (nos. 1385 & 1386) found in the Mt. Athos monastery of Iveron written by both of these later Byzantine scribes.

Both of these later Byzantine scribes left behind a rich legacy of written NT MSS. Not only does the art work and calligraphy of scribes require further study but the text contained in these later NT MSS deserves further study and attention as well.

April 5th, 2013

Summary: Byzantine Text MS Groups for the Gospels

Continuous text Groups:

Group Kx (700+ MSS). Many subgroups, clusters and pairs. Members include: 2 8 14 89 202 478 1120 1203 1452 2224.

Group Kr/fam. 35 (250+ MSS). Consensus text to be utilized as the base text for the Byzantine GNT. Members include: 18 35 83 480 824 757 480 1072 1435 2554.

Group Π (150+ MSS). Divided into subgroups a and b. Members include: K (017) Π(041) 68 114 265 389 1079 1113 1216 1463 1816 2404.

Group M (50+ MSS) Divided into three main sub-groups Ma1 Ma2 Mb. Members include: 10 27 71 106 692 895 1194 1413 1455.

Group Λ or Lambda (20+ MSS) Members include: Λ(039) 161 262 561 199 262 1187 1555.

Group 22 (15+ MSS) Divided into subgroups a and b. Members include: 22, 697 1192 1210 1365.

Group 1216 (15+ MSS) Divided into subgroups a and b. Members include: 184 348 555 977 1216 1279.

Group 1424 (15+ MSS) Divided into subgroups 7 and 1424. (15+ MSS) Members include: 7 267 517 954 1084 1424 1495 1651 1654 1675.

Lectionary MS Groups:

Group φ or Standard text (200 + MSS) Includes uncial and minuscule MSS. Members include: L 12 L 69 L 381 L 387 L 425 L 991 L 770 L1022 L 1109 L1750.

Group Kr or fam. 35 text (50+MSS) Members include: L 14 L 86 L 118 L 221 L 698 L719 L 1097 L 1107 L 1761 L 1823.

Group K or Kappa mix (20+ MSS) Members include: L 1029 L 1036 L 1091 L 1814.

CSPMT will next provide a series of brief articles on the the primary Byzantine text groups for Acts, the Epistles and the Apocalypse.

March 29th, 2013

Byzantine Lectionary MSS – Kappa type

Continuing of our series on Byzantine lectionary MSS we now will now briefly examine the Kappa or minority type of Greek lectionary MSS. There are various Greek lectionary MSS included in the critical apparatus of the UBS (United Bible Society) Greek NT editions. No indication was given regarding their textual classification. Infrequent citation has led to confusion as to their precise textual identification of many lectionary MSS. Included among those MSS cited in the UBS 3rd & 4th rev. editions were L 1761 (Gospels) from Sinai and L 1159 (Acts & Epistles). The latter MS was also utilized by Prof. Antoniades for the Greek Orthodox Patriarchal edition of 1904/12.

CSPMT has determined that these various so called divergent lectionary MSS are from the Kappa Byzantine Kr/fam. 35 type. They display noticable textual varition from the standard or majority type of Greek lectionary MSS. There is little textual variation found from their continuous text counterpart MSS. However, there is enough variotion to warrant the possibility of differing exemplar MSS and to suggest possibly a wider and earlier production than has previously been theorized. Differences between fam. 35 Kappa type and the majority of Greek lectionary MSS are easily detected early
on within internal lections found in both Gospel and Acts & Epistles lectionary MSS.

As with other significant Byzantine MS groups, CSPMT will provide consistent citation of the minority Kappa fam/35 grouping from both the Gospels and Acts & Epistles in the critical apparatus of Byzantine Greek New Testament (BGNT) edition. Core represntative MSS have been selected from both sections for the edition's apparatus.

In our next and last article on Byzantine NT MS groups we will summarize the main groups and provide a listing of the core group representative MSS to be utilized in our upcoming Byzantine GNT edition. Any futher questions or comments on our series on Byzantine MS groups may be directed to: info@cspmt.org

March 27th, 2013

Dr. Wilbur N. Pickering & The Byzantine/Traditional text in Brazil

CSPMT director Dr. Wilbur N. Pickering was invited to speak in a recorded session to a group of pastors the weekend of March 22-24 in Valinhos (Campinas), Brazil. It was well received and plans are in place to continue speaking around Brazil in other locations on the primacy and preservation of God's Holy Word in the form of the Byzantine/Traditional text.

Work continues in our preparation for publication of the Byzantine Greek NT. We give thanks to God for the reception and interest in the Byzantine text and its various MSS that is occurring around the world. We encourage our readers to spread the word and support for CSPMTs ministry.

Paul D. Anderson
President-CSPMT

March 22nd, 2013

Acts-Epistles (Apostolos) Lectionary MSS: The Majority Group

In continuation with our series of articles reviewing various Byzantine manuscript groupings we now will review the majority or standard text grouping of Acts-Epistles or Apostolos lectionary manuscripts.

Little textual information is available on these important Greek manuscripts and even less than Greek Gospel or euaggelion lectionary manuscripts. There has been no information provided in the UBS critical Greek GNT editions utilizing lectionary Acts and Epistles manuscripts regarding their Byzantine text group affinities. Even citations of Apostolos lectionary manuscripts given have not been consistent in UBS editions. The siglum or symbol for this type of lectionary manuscript in the Aland's Kurzgefasste Liste being (lae) for Acts-Epistles lectionary manuscript. The Greek Ecumenical Patriarchial or Antoniades GNT (1904/12 rev.), also utilized several Apostolos lectionary manuscripts for this edition. It may be assumed both Gospel and Acts-Epistles lectionary manuscripts were included in the introductory description of the two primary manuscript groupings. One being described as Byzantine but less strongly as the other minority group more strongly Byzantine or (Kappa) in Western textual terminology.

CSPMT has recently found similar textual patterns in the Apostolos lectionary manuscripts as Prof. Antoniades had expressed in the EP edition's introduction. There is a majority or standard Byzantine group that is non-Kappa and another minority grouping which is strongly Kappa and of Kr or family 35 type. The manuscript dating of this group is quite similar to the Gospel lectionary manuscripts, yet without substantial uncial manuscripts extant for Acts and the Epistles. The earliest complete (lae) manuscript dates currently dated by INTF from the 10th century (L 156) while the uncial Greek-Coptic diglot L 1575 is only partial including Acts and some of 1 Peter. In addition, Apostolos or Acts-Epistles printed lectionary editions are divided between a Kappa mix type as found in early Venetian editions (1540-1900) and the later revised editions more similar to the majority Apostolos manuscript grouping due to textual affinity with the Antoniades GNT utilized by Prof. Tzerpos in 1986 for revision of the Apostolos Greek lectionary text.

The early citation of passages and variants included in Acts-Epistles majority grouping of manuscripts type clearly demonstrates evidence as to their Byzantine origins. Greek Church Fathers such as Chrysostom and Greek commentary writers like Theophylact validate this group's origins as being purely Byzantine. Though possibly developing as a service book later in date than its Gospel counterpart, its origins were certainly prior to the 10th century. There is no Byzantine fam. 1424 or type φ profile evident for the Acts and Epistles to compare though Byzantines like GA 440 and GA 945 are textually quite close in Acts and the Epistles to this group of lectionary manuscripts. However, any theory placing their textual origins dependent upon or with an influence of Caesarean/Western or Alexandrian manuscripts is tenative at best from our research. This group of Byzantine manuscripts therefore has early and independent origins.

Next in this series on Greek lectionary manuscripts will follow two brief articles describing the minority Kappa Kr or fam. 35 lectionary manuscript grouping for both the Gospels and Acts & Epistles.

March 19th, 2013

SBL 2013 Walters Art Museum Manuscript Tour

The SBL/AAR 2013 annual conference will be held in Baltimore, MD and will be featuring the Walters Art Museum Biblical Manuscript Tour in conjunction with CSPMT. Four tours will be offered on Saturday, November 23rd and limited to fifteen people per tour. Please contact SBL/AAR regarding registration for the tour.

Among the manuscripts that will be featured during the Walters manuscript tour are:

W. 7 Latin Ottonian Gospels, c. 1000

W. 535 (L 1029) Greek Gospel Lectionary, by Metropolitan Luke of Wallachia dated 1594.

W 539 Armenian T'oros Roslin Gospel, dated 1262.

W. 592 Arabic Gospel, dated 1684.

W. 836/850 Ge' ez Ethiopian Gospels, 14th & 16th century.

W. 917 Slavonic Old Believers Apocalypse, 18th century

March 15th, 2013

Byzantine Gospel Lectionary Groups – The Standard Text or Majority Gospel Lectionary Group.

When Vasileios Antoniades completed the Ecumenical Patriarchal GNT in 1904, his introduction to the edition indicated two types of Greek lectionary MSS. One type being predominant and the other found less frequently while the more dominant type less strongly Byzantine in textual profile. The dominant text type in Gospel lectionary MSS was also found in the majority of slightly older extant manuscripts examined for the edition.

In the West, E. Colwell and the Chicago lectionary project also collated numerous Greek lectionary MSS and also found a dominant or standard type among Gospel lectionary MSS. Prof. Paul Schubert who was part of the project did a special study and examined various lectionary MSS and their relationship to Von Soden’s Byzantine groups φa/b group finding a close textual relationship between the two groups and the standard lectionary manuscript group. Later, both McReynolds and Omanson noticed the same close relationship in their thesis studies which included data comparing the two. CSPMT likewise has noticed this close textual relationship between the continuous text groups 1424 and 7 with the standard or dominant lectionary MS group. Several key diagnostic textual variants could be cited in support of this conclusion. There also a lack of evidence for any textual dependency or influence of either the Western groups i.e. f1 or f13 or the type of text found in the Alexandrian text uncials Aleph and B. This majority or standard lectionary MS group clearly shows closest textual affinity in both its minority and majority readings with the basic Kappa/Byzantine text form and more specifically with Byzantine MS groups 7 and 1424. Both primary lectionary groups have an early yet separate textual history of their individual types within the overall Byzantine text type.

There is also found within this group of MSS many insignificant textual variations. However, their overall relationship as a group, granting a divergent group and other small textual splintering, can be easily recognized through their shared common primary readings as both Colwell and Antoniades had earlier noticed. CSPMT estimates the majority or standard lectionary text group is found in at least 70% of extant MSS in both uncial and minuscule lectionary MSS. Prominent individual MSS such as L 69 and L 381 will be utilized throughout the Gospels for the Byzantine GNT edition representing this majority lectionary text group.

In our next article in this series, we will continue our examination of this textual group's counterpart found in Greek Apostolos MSS which contains Acts and the Epistles.

March 8th, 2013

Byzantine Text Study Summary

During the past few weeks CSPMT has examined the main Byzantine text manuscript groups in a series of brief articles. The Byzantine text in summary is composed of several Greek NT MS groups with some smaller and yet others larger in terms of number of member MSS. At the same time some of these groups contain more Kappa readings while others are not Kappa MS groups but are yet defined as Byzantine text groups due to their number of shared Byzantine readings. The boundaries of the Byzantine text groups are basically the main Kappa groups with fam. Π and 1424 being weakest in their shared number of Byzantine group core readings with f1 and f13 standing outside the Byzantine text tradition.

Any questions regarding more detail or information on the various Byzantine text MS families and groups may be directed to us at: info@cspmt.org

Paul D. Anderson
CSPMT

March 5th, 2013

An update from CSPMT on the facsimile of GA 2902 from Albania. The pricing is 200 Euros shipping included for the facsimile copy and available from the Interconfessional Bible Society of Albania. Contact details may be found in our March 1st news posting regarding the facsimile's availability.

March 1st, 2013

Byzantine Manuscript Symposium - Dumbarton Oaks

In other news, Dr. David Parker is scheduled to speak at the Byzantine manuscript symposium to be held at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, D.C. to be held on April 26-28th. Details may be found at the link provided below:

http://www.doaks.org/research/byzantine/byzantine-scholarly-events/the-n...

March 1st, 2013

Byzantine manuscript GA 2902

The recently discovery and numbering of Albanian Archive MS ANA93 or now GA 2902 has now led to a limited edition facsimile of this precious Byzantine manuscript. Textually, it belongs to Byzantine Group Π subgroup (a) and the older cluster within this grouping. Previously dated 13th cent. this manuscript has been dated in Germany to the 10th cent. by an expert iconographer specialist. In addition, the Albanian State Achieves now holds to the earlier 10th cent. dating of the manuscript.

The availability of this facsimile of GA 2902 is limited to the first 1,000 copies in a limited printing. We are providing our readers contact details provided by a contact at the Albanian State Achieves in Tirana as follows:

Write to:
Interconfessional Bible Society of Albania:
Attention: Dr. Altin Hysi
General Secretary

Mailing Address: Rr. Dëshmorët e 4 Shkurtit" P. 30/1, Tirana, Albania
e-mail: altin@biblesocieties.org
phone: + 355 4 271843

February 28th, 2013

Byzantine Group Λ

This Byzantine MS group Λ (Lambda) is named after the uncial (039) or Codex Tischendorfianus III, after its discoverer Constantin Tischendorf who found the manuscript in the East. Codex Λ (039) is now kept in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. This Byzantine text group contains 23 MSS and stands textually between Kx and Gr 1216 and somewhat closer to the main Kappa groups and could be termed basically a weakened Kappa text form.

A unique commonality is that many of its manuscripts contain the Jerusalem colophon at the end of a gospel or at the end of the manuscript. Most MSS from this group date early in terms of Byzantine NT MSS. Among the more well know minuscules in this Byzantine text group are GA 199, 262 and 1187. It will be represented in the Byzantine Greek NT edition by a core member from its group.

Paul Anderson
CSPMT

February 23rd, 2013

Byzantine Group M

Group M is the fourth largest Byzantine manuscript group containing nearly 40 MSS of particular similarity. H. Von Soden had classified a grouping of I MSS as Iφr. In reality this new grouping of MSS were in fact Byzantine manuscripts grouped around a Byzantine uncial Codex Campianus (021) or M. Three subgroups are primarily visible: M10 M27 and M1386. These have been defined and termed by others as M1a, M1b and M2. The uncial M(021) contains slightly divergent readings with the main M group M27 or M1a coming closest to its uncial relative. Other smaller clusters and subgroups may be also found in the group. Leading minuscules of the M group would be GA 10, 27, 1194 and 1413.

Textually, Group M stands midway between the main Kappa groups and family Π with definite close relationship to family Π. The inherent diversity within the M group is likely due to textual pull towards the Kappa groups which were dominant from the Middle Age period on. Group M formed the main challenge to the Kx Byzantine group from the ninth to twelfth century. This Byzantine group deserves more study and will be included for further examination in the Byzantine Greek NT in the apparatus by representation and inclusion of core textual members from the three main subgroups.

Paul Anderson
CSPMT

February 19th, 2013

Editio princeps of Greek (Apostolos) Lectionary added to CSPMT website

The first Greek Apostolos lectionary printed by A. Spellini in Venice (1540) has been aded to our website. Textually, Byzantine Kappa readings are found slightly more prevalent in it as in the Saliberos edition recently added to our site. It is also similar to all printed editions of the Apostolos lectionary up until the AD Press revision of Prof. Tzepos in 1986.

The Spellini Apostolos edition may be found for download under Manuscripts and Texts then in our printed editions section among other Orthodox texts.

February 19th, 2013

Byzantine Greek New Testament (BGNT) Update:

The base consensus text for the BGNT or Byzantine Greek New Testament is now nearing completion. Few textual changes are expected with only three books for scheduled final review. The Kr/f35 consensus text to be utilized as its base text has now been converted to a unicode format for publication. Its Greek font will be similar that used in the new critical edition in the NA28th edition. The text is now under further grammatical review in preparation and is also is being prepared for compilation of the critical apparatus. It is expected to be published first in a handy size similar to the NA or UBS edition with an online editions as well an online edition with CSPMT having already obtained a domain for the online edition.

The Byzantine Greek NT will be the 1st Byzantine/Traditional text consensus Greek New Testament edition based on such a vast amount of actual MS evidence. CSPMT director Dr. Wilbur PIckering has collated a vast array of MSS from this grouping yet with very little internal variation resulting. This achievement and textual unity of the BGNT base text will certainly be displayed in the textual accuracy for the edition in addition to its valuable critical apparatus..

More updates on the Byzantine GNT will follow. Please continue to check our news updates for further information on progress with our Greek New Testament edition.

Paul D. Anderson
CSPMT

February 15th, 2013

Greek Apostolos lectionary added to CSPMT website.

CSPMT has added a 1908 early edition of the Greek Apostolos lectionary. This edition comes from the same textual tradition as the first Greek Apostolos copies first printed by several Greek publishing families in Venice, Italy beginning in the mid-1500s. The type of text exemplified in the Venetian editions continued on with the Saliberos printing company, a historically well known Greek printing company formally located in Athens, Greece.

The Greek Apostolos lectionary was revised and updated in 1986 for the official Greek Orthodox Apostoliki Diakonia Press in 1986. Textually, the revision introduced slightly more non-Kappa readings into the Apostolos lectionary text though remaining throughly Byzantine in text type.

The Apostolos edition added to the website of CSPMT may be found for download by accessing our printed editions section under the manuscript and texts area of our website.

February 13th, 2013

New Kr/f35 group MS lists added to the CSPMT website.

CSPMT has recently completed a new compilation of all known Kr/f35 continuous text and lectionary MSS. These two lists may be found in the Kr/f35 section under our manuscripts and texts homepage heading. More Byzantine text group lists will be added in the near future.

We will also be adding a scanned copy of the Apostolos(Acts and Epistles) Greek lectionary to the CSPMT website in the near future.

January 24th, 2013

Family Π: An early Byzantine text group.

Before addressing the “mixed” Byzantine MSS, it is first necessary to address more closely the third largest Byzantine MS groups and also quite possibly one of the oldest called family Π or Pi. This ancient Byzantine text MS group contains three uncial MSS, Κ (017) Codex Cyprius, Π (041) Codex Petropolitanus and Y (034) Codex Macedonensis along with many quite old Greek minuscule MSS from the 9th-10th century. In addition, Codex A (02) Alexandrinus has been seen as a distinct textual relative of this Byzantine text grouping.

Family Π is currently named after its main uncial Π (041) now held at St. Petersburg National Library of Russia. When Wilhelm Bousset and Herman Von Soden first recognized family Π it was first called Ka or the Koine Antiochian due to its supposed Syrian origins connections. Von Soden also concluded this early Byzantine text group was the text type used by Chrysostom and Theodoret. It has been theorized that it is the same as the Lucianic recension and also the same type as basis for the Peshitta and Philoxenian Syriac.

Family Π contains two main subgroups, Πa and Πb the latter being slightly weakened to the majority ecclesiastical text. Quite often difficult variants or readings found in group Πa MSS are corrected by later second hand scribes to the majority or Kx Byzantine type readings. This leads to the possibility that family Π MSS did in fact predate the majority of Byzantine MSS later found primarily in the Kx Kappa grouping. The textual of the PA or pericope adulterae found in all MSS in family Π is easily recognized and is a particular variation of μ5 not found among other in μ5 Kx Byzantine MSS. Family Π as a group is not discernable outside the gospels with few MSS containing the Epistles and none are found with the Apocalypse.

It is interesting that all family Π MSS have an overall textual pattern in the gospels of being strongly Kappa textual pattern in the Gospel of Matthew but declines in Mark and Luke with quite low percentages found in the MSS for the Gospel of John. This is a pattern contained in other “mixed” Byzantine MSS and is found most prevalent in other “mixed” MSS such as GA 157, 579, 1071 & 1241 among a few others. For the Gospel of John, family Π being weakly Kappa still retains an overall Byzantine profile. Among the more well know minuscule MSS of family Π are: GA 114, 489, 1079, 1219 and the newly discovered Albanian MS GA 2902. There is also a single lectionary MS with a group Πa textual profile, L 2023 found at the Benaki Library-Athens, Greece. Some of the minuscule Πb MSS are: GA 68, 220, 1113 & 1463 among others. Interestingly, MSS of the Πb group seemingly share a particular scribe for their origins. The total number of MSS found among all family Π groups and clusters total over 100 MSS making it the third largest MS family among Byzantine text groupings.

Family Π MS witnesses are rarely found cited in printed editions of the Greek NT and deserve much more study and comprehensive collation. Richard Geerlings and Kirsopp and Sylva Lake did make a cursory study of this important Byzantine MS group in the 1930s and 1950s. Geerlings completed the assumed archetypal text for family Π based upon agreements of Π (041) and GA 1219. Although these studies prove helpful as an inner grouping textual profile comparisons, other more detailed and comparative studies with other Byzantine groups and editions could prove additionally helpful. CSPMT plans to include MSS from its main groups for inclusion in the critical apparatus of our Byzantine GNT edition.

January 16th, 2013

The Byzantine Kr/fam. 35 MS group

The second largest Byzantine MS grouping is known as Kr or family 35. This important Byzantine text grouping is the only known Byzantine text grouping to pass a defined and sustained textual transmission in both continuous and lectionary MS traditions. The total number of MSS found in this grouping number between 300-400 minuscule MSS dating from the 11th to 17th century. There are also numerous MSS of the Kr/fam. 35 type found in the extant lectionary MS tradition. CSPMT is currently engaged in attempting to obtain a total count of these MSS as well. The members of the group are typically easily recognized when compared with other Byzantine MSS by their red lectionary rubrics contained in the MS margins and usually lack both the Eusebian canons and Ammonian section pericope indicators as well.

This Byzantine text grouping was first recognized and described by Herman Von Soden and described in his Die Schriften Des Neuen Testaments vols. (1911-1913). Von Soden divided his (Koine revised) or Kr group by its particular form or profile of the PA (Pericopae Adulterae, Jn 7:52-8:11). The unifying PA profile found in all Kr MSS Von Soden determined was the μ7 PA profile. Dr. Wilbur Pickering, a director with CSPMT has further found that there is a specific profile of the μ7 PA in which all family group members do not vary over (+3) variations from this defined PA profile for family group member qualification. This variation limit or boundary found within the Kr/fam. 35 PA profile is indicative to variation outside the PA for group members. All members (found in the dissertation on Kr in John by Dr. Norris Grubbs, NOBTS) had an agreement of at least two-thirds of family readings with the weakest MS found and included in the family being GA 47 at Oxford. The scribal control and precision of the Kr/fam. 35 group is without parallel in the Greek NT MS tradition. Also, several of its group members were also was found in a recent study by K. Wachtel of INTF to contain among the highest percentages of Kappa readings of several Byzantine MSS surveyed.

The majority of extant complete New Testament MSS are of the Kr/fam. 35 grouping. It has a clearly defined textual profile outside of the Gospels and usually contains a Mc (Complutensian) type profile in the Apocalypse. The group reached its transmission apex at the height of Byzantine literary activity during the Paleologoi Dynasty after the restoration of the Byzantine Empire in Constantinople in the late 1200s. It was most frequently copied MS type at this time period quite often produced at the Hodegon Monastery scriptorium under no less than 4-5 generations of scribes that faithfully reproduced this particular Byzantine text group throughout the Empire including Mt. Athos. The Hodegon scriptorium was financially well supported by the Paleologoi dynasty emperors who often frequented the monastery. The particular script style the MSS were written in being known today as the Hodegon style.

CSPMT has chosen to utilize the Kr/fam. 35 Byzantine consensus text for our Byzantine GNT. It stands textually overall extremely close textually to the TR (textus receptus) and other Byzantine text groups but with a sufficient distance to allow for determination of any variation present. The Kr/fam. 35 group profile (Mc) has little significant textual variation within the Apocalypse. This also will allow an added advantage when variant comparisons are made with other Apocalypse textual groupings. The same can be said when examining Acts and the Epistles as well when utilizing the Kr/fam. 35 profile. The Gospel of John in the Byzantine Tradition volume by R. Mullen et al. utilizing minuscule 35 as its text basis for similar reasons.

In our next article we will examine the opposite side of the Byzantine spectrum known as the "mixed" Byzantines MSS. As a reminder, any further questions our readers may have on specific Byzantine MS groupings or more specifically on particular MSS within the Byzantine text MS tradition are reminded to write us at info@cspmt.org.

Paul Anderson
CSPMT

January 10th, 2013

The Byzantine Kx MS group

Continuing our brief descriptive series on different groups of the Byzantine MSS we will now briefly examine the two most numerous in terms of group members among Kappa MSS, Kx and Kr or family 35. Both of these large Kappa groups were first recognized and analyzed by Herman Von Soden at the beginning of the 20th century.

Kx was defined by Von Soden as the majority of Koine or Kappa MSS that stood textually between the early and small Kappa group K1(Ω) and the Kr/family 35 another large grouping of Kappa MSS. Kappa group Kx includes the majority of Byzantine minuscule MSS ranging from the late 10th century and later with its peak or textual dominance between the 10th and 12th century and prior to the rise in popularity of the second largest Kappa MS grouping Kr or family 35.

Von Soden divided this large MS group by the particular form or profile of the PA (Pericope de Adultera, Jn 7:53-8:11). The most common profile of the PA he found present within Kx is μ5 or μ6. The symbol μ in Von Soden standing for the Greek “μοιχαλης” or adulteress with accompanying numeral 1-7 indicating the MS grouping and distance of his theoretical original form of the PA. Group Kx has a definable textual profile as Wisse, McReynolds and Omanson have all demonstrated in their studies through use of CPM (Claremont Profile Methodology) while examining the grouping in both Luke and Mark. The difficult issue they found was determining the allowable amount of large surplus readings found within the Kx group and exactly how many surplus readings to allow for a given group member for classification purposes. Von Soden also had earlier defined the Kx group profile through the agreement of fourteen member MSS within the Kx group.

Kx MSS were used in the production of the textus receptus editions of Erasmus and Stephanus such as GA 2, 3 and 8 among others. Several Byzantine or Majority text proponents have recently seen Kx as the group of Byzantine Kappa MSS as standing hypothetically closest to the autographic text and being non-recensional in its origins. This is the case for Hodges & Farstad in their stemmatic textual theory and Robinson-Pierpont in their RP Byzantine textform editions. For the most part, numerical majority within the Byzantine MS evidence forms the basis for most of their arguments for Kx superiority. However, the Kx Kappa textform of the Byzantine text was not passed into the lectionary MS tradition as occurred later for Kr or family 35. Therefore, group Kx was not utilized for liturgical purposes within the Greek Orthodox Church.

Outside the Gospels Kx ceases as a textual grouping and the textual profile is replaced by the K or Koine grouping of MSS. Textual splintering of the grouping occurs within the Gospels and outside within the K grouping in Acts and the Epistles. However, a basic “core” profile is retained. The Kx and K are very important textual groups within the Byzantine text type forming the bulk or “majority” of known Byzantine MSS. Their collation and fair and equitable inclusion by inclusion within the BGNT textual apparatus will ensure further understanding and appreciation of their overall value to the history and development of the Byzantine textform. Next, we will briefly examine the Kr or family 35 Byzantine Kappa group which will form the base text for our proposed Byzantine GNT (BGNT) edition.

Paul Anderson
CSPMT

January 5th, 2013

The MT & Byzantine Minority MS Groups

My recent paper in Chicago at national SBL was a reminder of how typically Western textual criticism or NT-TC has usually defined the “Majority text” or MT in terms of “nose count” of extant Greek NT MS. Certainly this has been a substantial viewpoint though not unanimously held among some Western MT proponents from Zane Hodges to Maurice Robinson and has made a lasting impression if not some confusion among opposing viewpoints of the Greek New Testament regarding the MT. However, this is not how we define the MT at CSPMT and is certainly has not been the case historically either within the Eastern Orthodox Churches when looking at the Greek MS evidence and its transmission.

When such a MS “nose count” is made of the extant Gospel MSS to define the MT the result is a particular group dominance such as the case of Kx as Von Soden termed it. Kx or the Koine MSS found in overall “bulk” of Byzantine MSS which lie somewhere between K1 (Omega) and Kr or Byzantine family 35 clearly for the numerical superiority in the Koine MS tradition. This result of “majority” count does not necessarily end with the either the “best” or autographic reading in all cases among Byzantine MSS. On the other hand, neither does it inhibit many readings found within the Kx “bulk” from being autographic. But, these are often shared readings with other smaller Kappa and non-Kappa Byzantine groupings. This is also the case when examining the majority MS tradition contained within Acts, the Epistles and General Epistles with group K and its predominance within the Byzantine MS tradition. However, this rather simplistic perspective or viewpoint ignores the larger overall MT textual tradition found within the Byzantine MS transmission. Numerous smaller MS groupings must be factored in when defining the true MT of the GNT.

These largely ignored Byzantine “minority” MS groups in fact actually formed a substantial “majority” in terms of their usage and acceptance at given periods of time during the textual transmission of the Byzantine MT. Smaller groups such as Gr φ or 7/1424 passed into the lectionary tradition and others such as family Kr or family 35 also played “official” roles within the Church. The latter played a significant role as the text tradition of choice during the apex of Byzantine literary activity during the Paleologoi dynasty. Interestingly, the “majority” Kappa textual groups Kx and K never passed any sustained or a cohesive text into the Greek lectionary MS tradition. These other smaller groups did though. However, due to their lesser numbers to some MT proponents they have been undervalued and to critical text scholars their importance is minimal as most Byzantine MSS are seen as contaminated or secondary as to their textual value in relation to the “first text” which entertains the most interest to critical text scholars.

Another important Byzantine MS grouping is Ka or family Π which contains over a hundred member MSS and considered by some textual scholars as the “oldest” Byzantine MS grouping. It contains three uncials K, Y and Π among its members along with A (02) or Codex Alexandrinus a distant but related MS. It also counts many older minuscules within the family grouping as well. Another grouping of significance is Gr 1424/7 with a close relationship to the standard or “majority” lectionary text as I previously noted in my paper at SBL 2012 in Chicago.

In addition, there are several other important Byzantine MS groupings. The M groups along with groups 22, 1216, Lambda named after Byzantine uncial Λ (039), 291 and 1519 among a few others deserve mention. Most of these MS groups contain twenty or fewer MS members but apparently contain important readings that cannot nor should not be ignored when looking at the overall MT position. The end result is that true “Majority or MT” is contained in a consensus of readings found within several Byzantine text groups like Kx, Kr/family 35 or any of these other smaller Byzantine MS groupings. They all share an overall textual commonality resulting in the Majority or MT text.

CSPMT plans to fairly and accurately represent all of these important Byzantine MS groupings and minority Byzantine MSS in the adjoined critical apparatus of our planned BGNT edition. The MT is therefore composed of an overall consensus of readings and Byzantine MSS and not based solely upon a numbers or “nose” count of Kappa MSS or readings. The result today is a variety of closely related editions of the GNT found in both the East and West such as the “textus receptus” or TR, the Greek Antoiniades or Ecumenical Patriarchal GNT along with more recent Western MT editions such as the RP or HF GNT texts. When this fact regarding the true MT is recognized and appreciated by NT textual scholars from differing viewpoints, further progression may be made in the field with comprehensive collation and study of all Byzantine MSS and the MT.

Paul D. Anderson
CSPMT

December 4th

Our collation comparing the RP 2005 rev. Byzantine textform and Dr. Wilbur N. Pickering's consensus Byzantine family 35 Byzantine textform has been added to our collations section. This important collation compares the majority of Byzantine New Testament MSS over the entirety of the New Testament totaling over thousand MSS in number combined in the vast majority of extant Greek New Testament MSS.

This collation compares the Byzantine Kx and K textforms in the Gospels and Epistles with Byzantine Kr or family 35 grouping of MSS for both. Then in the Apocalypse compares for the most part Q or Ma with Mc or the Computensian form of the text found in the majority of family 35 MSS in the Apocalypse.

November 27th

The recent collation study completed by CSPMT comparing the Apostoliki Diakonia Gospel lectionary with the Ecumenical Patriarchal(Antoniades) GNT is now available for download. It is located in the collations section.

November 25th

CSPMT in conjunction with the Walters Gallery of Baltimore is planning to offer a small group tour for those interested in biblical manuscripts during SBL-Baltimore 2013. Selections of biblical manuscripts at the Walters Gallery will be displayed during SBL 2013 to be held in Baltimore, MD between November 23-26, 2013. The Walters Gallery has an excellent manuscript collection featuring biblical manuscripts in several languages.

Also, CSPMT is planning a joint paper submission with the Walters Gallery for presentation during SBL 2013 as well regarding their biblical manuscript collection. We will be posting more details on these developments as they become available.

November 14th

SBL 2012 Chicago

Included below are the two sessions CSPMT president Paul D. Anderson will be presenting papers at during the annual Society of Biblical Literature meeting in Chicago on November 18th and 19th at the McCormick Place Convention Center:

November 18th
New Testament Textual Criticism Session
1:00PM-3:30PM
Room MPE-236
Paper: The Legacy of the Chicago Lectionary Project and CSPMTs recent discoveries regarding Greek lectionary MSS.

November 19th
The Bible in Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Traditions Session
1:00PM-3:30PM
Room MPN-129
Paper: The Greek Orthodox New Testament and Lectionary: Their History, Text and Traditions Examined.

October 30th

The AD Press Gospel Lectionary - (Antoniades) Ecumenical Patriarchal GNT Collation Project

CSPMT has completed our collation project comparing the AD(Apostoliki Diakonia) Gospel lectionary with the Antoniades or Ecumenical Patriarchal Greek New Testament. A total of nearly 530 variations were found in the four gospels.

The resultant textual pattern of this collation study was (Mk Lk Mt Jn). This is the Byzantine minority text φ-type textual pattern compared with Kappa. The AD Press Gospel lectionary was originally more Kappa in textual profile but was revised by the official AD Press, Athens, Greece in 1986 under Prof. Dimitrios Tzerpos. The Antoniades GNT as it is commonly known was produced in 1904/12' rev. Prof. Antoniades favored the readings found mainly in the ** or φ-type lectionary MSS. Continuous text φ or Gr 7/1424 is most closely related to it among all continuous text MSS.

We will have this collation study available following the paper to be presented by Paul D. Anderson at the Bible in Eastern & Oriental Orthodox Christianity session at the annual SBL-Chicago on November 19th.

October 26th

Lectionary MS L381: The Hamilton Lectionary at the Morgan

Another important "majority" or standard text gospel lectionary manuscript CSPMT will utilize in the apparatus of our planned Greek Gospel Lectionary critical edition will be L381 held at the Morgan Library in New York City. Below follows a brief description of this beautiful and textually valuable Byzantine manuscript.

Lectionary manuscript L381 or Pierpont Morgan Library no. 639, was written in the royal scriptorium in Constantinople during the second half of the 11th century. It has been also suggested that it was utilized for service at Hagia Sophia. It measures 33.5x25.4 and is written in fine cursive minuscule script on fine vellum in 378 leaves in two column format. It contains many beautiful miniatures, illustrations and colored panel headpieces. All illustrations are carefully and delicately made. This manuscript was last bound in purple velvet with purple box by the well know English bookbinder Charles Lewis in the late 18th century. Formally, it had been located in the Escorial Library where it had been stolen from the library Spain finally making its way to England by the 1820s. In 1882, L381 was sold by Sotheby’s, from the Duke of Hamilton who had been former owner, who in turn sold it through Sotheby’s again to the Museum of Berlin. Here the text critic C.R. Gregory examined it in 1887. Later, the manuscript was resold through Sotheby’s for a second time ending in the possession of Henry Yates Thompson. Thompson put it up for sale for the third time through Sotheby’s in 1919 where it was sold finally to J.P. Morgan via Quaritch the well know book dealer. It was later placed in the Morgan manuscript collection in the Morgan Library in New York City.

Textually, L381 is “core” representative of the standard lectionary type of gospel lectionary manuscripts. It is closely related to other leading members of this “φ” manuscript grouping such as L69, L852 and L991 and the later manuscript L1022 of Jerusalem. It could well represent this “standard” lectionary textual grouping in any critical apparatus of the Greek New Testament.

This particular manuscript is very likely one of the most beautifully made and well preserved manuscripts from this time period extant today. It textually value matches its beauty in preservation and execution of details in its iconography and script. CSPMT looks forward to utilize L381 in our critical lectionary edition. L381 has had a long journey as a valuable Byzantine treasure to its final home at the Morgan Library. We thank the Morgan Library conservation staff members for preserving and caring for this valuable Byzantine treasure.

Paul D. Anderson
CSPMT

October 26th

CSPMT and the Majority Text: A statement further outlining the position of CSPMT regarding the so-called Majority Text.

The directors and associates of CSPMT recognize that there are a number of manuscript groupings, editions and translations that comprise the “Majority” or Traditional text of the Greek New Testament. We also maintain at CSPMT individual positions regarding the variety of Byzantine manuscript groupings and/or editions we prefer. We do not require nor prohibit a particular position concerning the "majority reading" on a given variant is always the best or “autographic” on the basis of the numeric quantity of manuscripts in such cases. There are nearly twenty main Byzantine continuous text groupings. Some larger than others. All these Byzantine manuscript groupings of the New Testament contain a number of small disagreements but, overall textual unity prevails between all its various groupings. Taken as a whole or "type", the various Byzantine manuscript groupings combined comprises this corpus known the “Majority text”.

There is also a “majority” or standard lectionary manuscript text type found within the Gospel lectionary manuscripts. So too for the Apostolos lectionary text containing Acts, the Epistles of Paul and General Epistles. We accept these various Greek lectionary manuscripts and editions as well as the Antoniades or Ecumenical Patriarchal Greek New Testament text as a very important part of the Byzantine text tradition. In the West, we also consider the TR or the “textus receptus” in its various editions as a part of the Byzantine or Traditional text due to it's overall textual proximity to most Byzantine text groupings.

This manuscript tradition has long been preserved within the Church: furthermore, based primarily upon internal textual factors we view the Byzantine text manuscripts, editions and translations superior to the Alexandrian/Caesarean manuscripts, the modern eclectic based Greek editions and their own dependent translations.

Regarding translations, CSPMT recommends a variety of translations based upon various Byzantine text types as well as translations based upon the TR such as the KJV and the NKJV. This would include all other translations based upon the TR such as the Reina-Valera and others in different languages as well.

We hope this clarifies our position regarding the Majority or Byzantine text for our readers. Thank you.

Paul D. Anderson
President-CSPMT

October 23rd

Recently CSPMT has been able to acquire copies of highly significant Greek gospel lectionary manuscripts such as L69, L381 and L1022. These manuscripts are textual representatives of what is known as the “standard” or “majority” lectionary text and will represent this grouping in our upcoming critical gospel lectionary edition. A brief examination of the first of these manuscripts known as L69 follows.

Lectionary manuscript L69 or Gr. 286 is held at the BnF (Bibliothèque Nationale de France) and is dated by the library to the 11th century. It is dated by INTF or (Institute for New Testament Textual Research) to the 12th century. L69 was written in written in Constantinople and contains 257 vellum leaves written in double column format. Also, L69 is fairly standard in size for Greek lectionary manuscripts being 30.7 by 23.3cm and is written in fine Byzantine script. It is slightly lacunose with one folio supplied by a later hand. The manuscript was first examined by Scholtz, Gregory then later by E. Colwell in 1930 for the Chicago Lectionary Project. It also contains the PA (perciopae adulterae) section with the commonly found PA profile known at CSPMT as μ8 or M8.

This lectionary manuscript was first analyzed by Western textual scholars involved in the Chicago Lectionary Project under E.C. Colwell and placed as a leading textual representative of the standard lectionary text form. Later textual scholars involved with the IGNTP (International Greek New Testament Project) also placed it in this same grouping. The textual characteristics of the “standard” lectionary type can be best described as being somewhat distinct from the TR and most Kappa Byzantine groupings yet, retaining most distinctive Byzantine readings. It is also textual extremely close to the Antoniades (Ecumenical Patriarchal) text of the New Testament. The standard or majority Greek gospel lectionary manuscript grouping can be well represented in any textual apparatus with the inclusion of L69.

In the coming days, we will also be reviewing the other two gospel lectionary manuscripts chosen to represent the standard lectionary text form in our upcoming Greek Gospel Lectionary edition. The first of these, L69 should rightfully be recognized as “Queen” of the Greek gospel lectionary manuscripts. It certainly has long history and a unique value among extant Byzantine Greek lectionary manuscripts today.

October 23rd

We are updating our recent news update of Oct. 20th with more new manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. The following manuscripts are some of the others we have obtained information on. Again, these are new manuscripts and have no Gregory-Aland numbers assigned to them yet.

(Mt. Athos)

M. Lavra Monastery:
no. 2054 (le) (1690)

Dionysiou Monastery:
no. 302 (le) pap. (1655) Scribe: Joseph
no. 307 ((le) paper (XV)

(Cyprus)

Paphos:
M. Neophytu Monastery:
no. ? (le) pap. (1670) Scribe: Nikephoros
no. 5 (lesk) 21.5 x 16 236 fols. (15th cent.) Scribe: Sophronios
no. 11 (e) 26 x 21 115 fols. (13th cent.)

(Samos)

Zoodochos Pigi Monastery:
no. 1 (lesk) 28.5 x 19.5 pap. 223 fols. (15th cent.)

We will continue to update our website periodically with more new information on these and possibly other new manuscripts that may come to our attention.

Paul D. Anderson
CSPMT

October 20th

IMPORTANT UPDATE

CSPMT is making available specific information regarding over forty new manuscripts of the Greek New Testament. Included in the following listing of new manuscripts are those from continuous text and gospel lectionary type MSS as well.

(Mt. Athos)

M. Lavra Monastery:
"του Φωκα" (le) 34x 24.5 142 fols., parch. (10th cent.)
One of the most sacred and precious Gospel treasures of Mt. Athos. Gifted to M. Lavra by Emperor Nikephoras II Phocas at the dedication and foundation of M. Lavra.

Iveron Monastery:
no. 2105 (e), parch. (13th cent.)
no. 2106 (le), pap. (1676)
no. 2107 (e), parch. (12th cent.)
no. 2108 (e), parch. (12th cent.)
no. 2109 (e) parch. (12th cent.)
no. 2110 (e) parch. (1322-23)
no. 2111 (le) parch. (12th cent.)
no. 2112 (e) parch. (13th cent.)
no. 2114 (e) parch. (12th cent.)
no. 1385 (le) pap. 2 cols. (1624) Scribe: Luke Metropolitan of Wallachia
no. 1386 (le) pap. 2 cols. (1603) Scribe: Matthew of Metropolitan of Myra
no. 1404 (lesk) parch. (11 cent.) Rare cruciform manuscript and a valued Gospel treasure of Mt. Athos.

Esphigmenou Monastery:
no. 45μ (e) pap. (16th cent.)

Karakallou Monastery:
no. 272 (le) pap. (1680)

St. Paul Monastery:
(e) pap. (15th cent.)

Simonopetra Monastery:
no. χ αρ (le) 35.3 x 24 376 fols. pap. (1622)

Xenophontos Monastery:
(e) 34.5 x 24.5 pap. (1544)

Zopgraphou Monastery:
no. 28μ (le) pap. (1569)

Other locations:

(Argostoli)

Korgilianos Library:
no. 17 (e) 22.2 x 16.7 226 fols. parch (13th cent.)

(Attica)

Kliston Monastery:
(e) 29.5 x 21.5 pap. 922 fols. (14th cent.)

(Thessaly)

Archeological Museum of Almyros:
no. 2 (e) 18 x 14 223 fols. parch. (14th cent.)

Xenias Monastery:
no. 1 (lesk) 30 x 21 141 fols. pap. (15th cent.)
no. 14 (ap) 20.5 x 14 307 fols. parch (16th cent.)

Dousikon Monastery:
no. 3 (e) 38 x 27.5 236 fols. pap. (15th cent.)
no. 4 (apr) 19.5 x 14.5 363 fols. parch. (14th-15th cent.)
no. 5 (le) 19.5 x 15 359 fols. pap. (1518)

(Serifos)

Taxiarchon Monastery:
no. 1 (le) 277 fols. pap. (1672)
no. 17 (le) 111 fols. pap. (17th cent.)

(Larissa)

Church of St. John Prodromos
(e) pap. (1569)

(Eurytania)

Prousos Monastery:
no. 8 (le) 21.5 x 15 409 fols. pap. (16th cent.)

Tatarnes Monastery:
no. 2 (e) 22 x 15.5 270 fols. pap. (1514) Scribe: Theodoros
no. 3 (le) 29.5 x 19.5 240 fols. pap. (17th cent.)

(Cyprus)

Larnaka Municipal Library:
no. 28 (le) 22 x 15.5 203 fols. pap. (14th cent.)
no. 36 (le) 22 x 15 162 fols. pap. (15th cent.)
no. 48 (le) 32.5 x 22 229 fols. pap. (17th cent.)

Nicosia Patriarchate
no. 65 (e) 23 x 16.5 166 fols. parch. (14th cent.)
no. 66 (le) 32 x 22 139 fols. pap. (15th cent.)
no. 74 (le) 25.5 x 17.5 169 fols. pap. (13-14th cent.)
no. 77 (le) 29 x 22 198 fols. (14th cent.)

It is our hope that we will soon be acquiring digital copies of these and other new manuscripts from our sources in Greece. This is a partial listing. There are many more manuscripts we have obtained information on. As more information becomes available we will be posting more news on this important finding. It is possible we will have additional details on these manuscripts at the ETS and SBL Conference to be held in next month in Milwaukee and Chicago.

We respect the privacy of our sources as well as for the holding institutions and monasteries where these precious and sacred Byzantine manuscripts are held at.

Paul Anderson
CSPMT

October 4th

The Jerusalem order Greek lectionary manuscripts have long held interest to both textual scholars and those interested in Greek lectionary manuscripts in general. Recently, CSPMT has identified the textual profile and relationship that these manuscripts share most closely with other particular Byzantine continuous text Greek New Testament manuscripts.

CSPMT has found textual evidence that these Jerusalem order lectionary manuscripts differ from both the standard α or φ-type of Byzantine lectionary manuscripts as well as being distinct from the smaller number of β-type or more strongly Kappa grouping of Greek lectionary manuscripts. In collations, these manuscripts appeared to match most closely with weaker Kappa manuscripts quite similar to Byzantine family Πa and Codex W(032). This appears to make the this ancient grouping of manuscripts of proto-Byzantine textual origins. At the same time, it was found that this ancient lectionary grouping of manuscripts did not match with either the B-text or the so-called Caesarean text i.e. (f1 f13) while retaining all primary Byzantine text readings.

Paul D. Anderson of CSPMT will be presenting a paper at the annual meeting of SBL (Society of Biblical Literature) this November covering in part differing texttypes found among several groups of Greek Gospel lectionary manuscripts. The Jerusalem order lectionary manuscripts will also be discussed. In addition, this important lectionary group of manuscripts will also be included in the textual apparatus of our upcoming critical lectionary edition of the Greek Gospel lectionary.

October 6th

We are announcing the lectionary textual groupings and editions for use in the critical apparatus of our upcoming CSPMT Greek Gospel lectionary. The apparatus will contain the following manuscript groupings and editions.

Greek Gospel Lectionary: Critical Edition

Base Text: ΙΕΡΟΝ ΕΥΑΓΓΕΛΙΟΝ (Apostoliki Diakonia Press) Athens, 2005.

MS groupings:

Group φ - The grouping of gospel lectionary manuscripts containing the standard or majority type of Greek lectionary manuscripts. They also quite often contain a particular PA we have called M8 for its unique profile. Most like the Antoniades Ecumenical Patriarchal GNT text. Prof. Antoniades usually favored this groupings readings for his edition.

Group β - Smaller minority grouping of lectionary manuscripts which are found to contain more Kappa readings than the majority or standard text type grouping. Most often are Kr/f35 lectionary manuscripts with a M7 PA included.

Group K - A grouping of lectionary manuscripts mainly produced by scribes in the Byzantine stronghold of Wallachia and other Orthodox areas during the years following the post-Byzantine Empire. These manuscripts are strongly Kappa in textual profile with admixture of the early standard type. The PA is included and is the M8 profile type contained in the standard text yet with many readings of the earlier Kr/f35 Kappa type. This manuscript grouping heavily influenced the Venetian printed editions that were to remain dominant for centuries.

Group J - The Jerusalem order manuscripts. A small number of early uncial lectionary manuscripts which may predated the standard or Byzantine order manuscripts. Due to their fragmentary nature, and transmission into various early translations i.e. Armenian and others, their inclusion was deemed essential for the edition. They do not contain the PA and have very early readings while at the same time retaining all essential Kappa readings of other Byzantine lectionary groupings.

Editions:

V - Venetian lectionary edition or Saliberos type (majority gospel lectionary 1539-1968)

EP - Antoniades (Ecumenical Patriarchal) Greek New Testament 1904/12 rev.

TR - Textus Receptus (Stephanus 1550)

MT - Robinson Pierpont 2005

f35 - Pickering f35 consensus text (net edit.)

CT - Nestle/Aland (edit. to be determined)

Commentaries:

Th - Theophylact's Explanation of the New Testament (Gospels).

October 4th

The Jerusalem order Greek lectionary manuscripts have long held interest to both textual scholars and those interested in Greek lectionary manuscripts in general. Recently, CSPMT has identified the textual profile and relationship that these manuscripts share most closely with other particular Byzantine continuous text Greek New Testament manuscripts.

CSPMT has found textual evidence that these Jerusalem order lectionary manuscripts differ from both the standard α or φ-type of Byzantine lectionary manuscripts as well as being distinct from the smaller number of β-type or more strongly Kappa grouping of Greek lectionary manuscripts. In collations, these manuscripts appeared to match most closely with weaker Kappa manuscripts quite similar to Byzantine family Πa and Codex W(032). This appears to make the this ancient grouping of manuscripts of proto-Byzantine textual origins. At the same time, it was found that this ancient lectionary grouping of manuscripts did not match with either the B-text or the so-called Caesarean text i.e. (f1 f13) while retaining all primary Byzantine text readings.

Paul D. Anderson of CSPMT will be presenting a paper at the annual meeting of SBL (Society of Biblical Literature) this November covering in part differing texttypes found among several groups of Greek Gospel lectionary manuscripts. The Jerusalem order lectionary manuscripts will also be discussed. In addition, this important lectionary group of manuscripts will also be included in the textual apparatus of our upcoming critical lectionary edition of the Greek Gospel lectionary.

October 2nd

Through our study and collation of various Byzantine text groupings, CSPMT has determined that the royal scriptorium of the Hodegon Monastery at Constantinople produced over three generations of scribes activity engaged in producing a single Byzantine text type in lectionary and continuos text manuscripts produced there between 1319-1453.

The Kr or family 35 Byzantine text type has been found to have been the preferred textual grouping of manuscripts produced under the Paleologoi dynasty at the Hodegon scriptorium at the height of literary activity in the Byzantine Empire. The unique script called the Hodegon style was carried on beyond the fall of the Empire and its origins at the monastery. The three scribes in their respective generations there known are: Chariton (1319-1350), Joasaph (1360-1406) and Sophronios (1418-1440).

The manuscripts produced at the Hodegon monastery were not only gifted and presented to the Paleologoi dynastic rulers but to monasteries at Mt. Athos which were placed in the Mt. Athos sacristies as some of Byzantium's most valued textual treasures. Emperor Andronikos III passed away at this monastery and both his predecessor and successor in the Empire heavily favored this monastery due to its link with the famous Hodegetria Icon which was also kept in its vicinity.

This important textual discovery increases our overall awareness of scribal and textual activities at different scriptoriums in during the Byzantine Empire and shows us today which types were preferred and their origins as well. CSPMT will continue to update our website with any other new information regarding the Byzantine text scribes and the manuscripts they produced.

September 29th

CSPMT has acquired information and details on twelve new manuscripts of the New Testament from Mt. Athos. These include both lectionary and continuous text manuscripts.

We will possibly be making more details and information on these new manuscripts available at the annual meeting of the Society of Biblical Literature to be held in Chicago in November.

September 27th

A collation study has been completed by CSPMT comparing all internal textual variants between the Antoniades (Ecumenical Patriarchal) gospel text and the Apostoliki Diakonia (AD Press) gospel lectionary. This study will be posted on our website immediately following its initial release during the paper on the two editions to be presented by CSPMT president and founder Paul D. Anderson on November 19th at the annual Society of Biblical Literature meeting this year.

August 21st

CSPMT is now planning a critical Greek gospel lectionary edition before the Byzantine Greek NT (BGNT) edition. The title of the edition will be, The Greek Gospel Lectionary: Critical Edition. There will be other updates on this edition to follow shortly.

August 8th

The president of CSPMT Paul Anderson will be presenting two papers at this years annual Society of Biblical Literature meeting on Nov. 18th & 19th in Chicago. The first paper to be presented at the versions session of the New Testament Textual Criticism unit will be reviewing the Chicago Lectionary Project and CSPMTs recent textual discoveries regarding Greek lectionary MSS. The second paper will be presented during the Bible in Eastern Orthodox and Oriental Orthodoxy unit and will survey the historic development and place of the Greek lectionary along with the Ecumenical Greek New Testament (Antoniades) edition within the Greek Orthodox Church.

In other news, CSPMT has information regarding nearly twenty new unregistered New Testament MSS at Mt. Athos. There will be further information on these manuscripts made available during the SBL meeting this year in Chicago.

February 8th

CSPMT research summary on Greek lectionary manuscripts and editions has been added to our lectionary section. You may also read it by clicking here

[click here to view]

March 23rd

RSS updates now available on the CSPMT website. Clicking on the RSS button to the left will provide you with the RSS feed of our news releases.

March 13th

CSPMT would like to thank the staff of the Freer Gallery/Smithsonian Institute for the recent up close and personal examination of Codex W(032). We would also like to announce the continued availability of high resolution color DVD images of the complete manuscript available at the following link: http://www.asia.si.edu/research/sets/biblical.asp.

Codex Washingtonensis remains an extremely valuable and underestimated manuscript for its importance to the autographic text of the New Testament.

March 9th

The CSPMT lectionary edition comparison study has been added to the Resources section.

March 9th

Herman Hoskier's vols. on B(Vaticanus) and Revelation have been added to the Resources section.