I have another tale for you from the Coptic tradition this time of the Arch-Angel Raphael and his interaction with Saint John Chrysostom. This comes from the Miscellaneous Coptic texts in the dialect of Upper Egypt by E. A. Wallis Budge. I am presenting this text in full. I have modernized some words and there are sections that …
Author Archives: bP
Discourse on Saint Michael the Arch-Angel
With this post, I am bringing you the FULL text titled “Discourse on Saint Michael the Arch Angel”, by Timothy, Archbishop of Alexandria. This apocrypha text is included in the book Miscellaneous Coptic texts in the dialect of Upper Egypt by E. A. Wallis Budge. You may recall I did some other posts regarding Budge’s translations, as …
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Jesus sayings in the “Sentences of Sextus”…?
A previous entry on my blog was a sample from the “Sentences of Sextus”, a fragmented wisdom collection that was in the Nag Hammadi library, but also survives complete in other manuscripts. If you only read the NHL version, I highly suggest obtaining a copy of the complete work. Not too long ago I picked up a …
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Gospel of Bartholomew (2 of 2)
This is the second post of the Gospel of Bartholomew. What is fascinating about these remaining parts of the gospel is the inclusion of the “fallen angel / Satan” origin story. This is always alluded to in the canon but never fully laid out. Continuing on with the Gospel of Bartholomew, section 3 begins with Jesus taking …
Gospel of Bartholomew (1 of 2)
Today I present a dialogue style gospel. This is a post resurrection text that mainly involves Jesus speaking to Bartholomew. The gospel goes through various situations including another retelling of the harrowing of hell (see my previous post HERE in regards to that story). This text also goes by the name “The Questions of St. Bartholomew” and is …
(Greek) Gospel of the Egyptians
In the Nag Hammadi library, there is a text identified as the “Gospel of the Egyptians”, but did you know there is another text that goes by the same name? This other text has the name of the “Greek” Gospel of the Egyptians and only survives in fragmented / quotation form, as the Nag Hammadi version …
2 Clement & Gospel of Thomas 22
I love how Gospel of Thomas sayings pop up in other writings and today I am showcasing such an example. Saying 22 from Thomas shows up in 2 Clement. What is 2 Clement you ask? Better known as the “Second Epistle of Clement”, this is an early writing attributed to Clement of Rome (not to …
The Preaching and Martyrdom of James the Just
With the feast day of James the Just coming up on October 23, I wanted to post some lesser known stories of James. This post presents two stories from the Ethiopian tradition. Usually I do summaries of texts but in this case I am presenting the two stories in complete form. These come from the …
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The Apocalypse of Peter
The Apocalypse (Revelation) of Peter is quite the interesting text. Not to be confused with the “Coptic” Apocalypse of Peter that was found in Nag Hammadi (gotta love similar titled texts), this apocalyptic work almost made it into the canon and was used in some early churches. If you are unfamiliar with it, the text …
Greater Questions of Mary
Once again, I invoke the writings of Epiphanius (the Panarion) of the Borborites. The lost text I am writing about today is the “Greater Questions of Mary”. A few lines are quoted by Epiphanius but most of it is his commentary. I will warn you, the content can get pretty explicit. Epiphanius gives a few …
Culmination of Wisdom 