The Canons of Hippolytus: An English version with introduction and annotation and an accompanying Arabic text: 22 (Early Christian Studies)

The Canons of Hippolytus is a church order derived from Traditio apostolica though incorporating major expansions of the original; although composed in Greek it survives only in Arabic itself a translation from a Coptic version of the Greek. Beyond directing the conduct of ordinations initiation and ritual meals the text gives instructions for the conduct of Christians and Christian clergy with a particular concern with the direction of ascetics as well as discussing the provision of a place of hospitality.Here a fresh English version is presented with annotation explaining the peculiarities of transmission and translation for those unequipped with Arabic. This is accompanied by a facing Arabic text for the benefit of those with some knowledge of the language.The text and notes are prefaced by an extensive introduction; of particular significance in the introduction is the re-examination of the date and provenance of the document. Whereas it has for centuries been assumed to have originated in Egypt extensive evidence for a Cappadocian or Antiochene origin is presented. This leads to a major re-assessment of the value of the document for the liturgical historian for the historian of asceticism in the fourth century and for the social historian.