Skeleton 03 - The Constantine Codex by Maier Paul L

Author:Maier, Paul L [Maier, Paul L]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Retail
ISBN: 9781414360539
Publisher: Tyndale House Publishers
Published: 2011-06-01T04:00:00+00:00

Inevitably, Patriarch Bartholomew invited Jon and Shannon to a celebratory breakfast. The churchman was overflowing with appreciation for Jon’s defense of the faith, which he thought an inspiration for all Christians living in Muslim lands, particularly for those in Turkey. Jon, in turn, thanked him in advance for editing the Greek translation of the debate for both the DVD and print versions. After a final coffee, Jon explained that—with the patriarch’s kind permission and that of Brother Gregorios—they wished to finish their research in the archives, which might take several days.

“Certainly, dear professor,” the patriarch agreed. “And do let me know if you find anything of . . . of particular interest.”

Of particular interest? Jon mused. How about a manuscript codex that will become one of the great landmarks of biblical research? But for now, he simply agreed.

Brother Gregorios readmitted them to the patriarchate’s geniza, though Shannon preferred to call it the “Manuscript Retirement Home.” He stood in the doorway for a minute or two but then generously returned to his own duties. Jon’s pulse was at a swift gallop as they made their way to the southwestern corner of the room. There it was—the ancient bookcase . . . and its bottom row of dilapidated materials . . . and the Constantine Codex.

Wordlessly, and almost worshipfully, Jon put down his attaché case that was crammed with photographic equipment and, with exquisite care, lifted the volume off the shelf. Then he opened it with a gentleness he usually reserved for Shannon.

For her part, Shannon opened her own case, which contained several photo lights—including ultraviolet and infrared—spare batteries, 6.0 gigabyte flash drives, filters, and dozens of 35mm film canisters—yes, film, since they would photograph each page both digitally and via film emulsion. A random static electric charge could destroy the memory cards if they went only the digital route or if they were, say, hit by lightning. “We would die, of course, but the film would most probably survive,” Jon had explained, helpfully.

Both put on white cotton gloves to prevent any of their skin oils from touching the vellum of the codex. Gently they opened the tome and, for the first time, were able to examine material beyond the title page in some detail.

“Incredible, Shannon!” Jon exclaimed. “Just look at that magnificent writing—it’s biblical uncial—just like the Sinaiticus and Vaticanus. And four columns per page versus three in the Vaticanus.”

Shannon shook her head in awe. “It’s stunning, absolutely stunning. And ancient, all right; look at all those words run together. I still wonder why they didn’t have enough sense to separate words in the early documents.”

“It’s called scriptio continua. And it’s the same with the Greek and Latin you find on most of the monuments in the ancient Mediterranean world. Actually, it was the Hebrews who had the great idea of separating words.”

Jon turned on his mini tape recorder and dictated. “September 4: In what we term the geniza—the decaying manuscript repository of the Eastern Orthodox Patriarchate in Istanbul—we are examining

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