The Apostolic Tradition

Renowned liturgical scholars offer, for the first time anywhere, English translations and commentary of new witnesses to the Apostolic Tradition. In recent years, a number of new witnesses to the so-called Apostolic Tradition have been discovered or freshly edited for the first time. Among them is a new, recently discovered Ethiopic version of the Apostolic Tradition contained in the Aksumite Collection edited by Alessandro Bausi. Also, the Arabic version of the Clementine Octateuch, while known for some time, has only recently been edited by Martin Luestraeten, allowing scholars access to this important witness. Each of these witnesses provides valuable insights into the origins and development of the Apostolic Tradition.

Based on these new witnesses, as well as new secondary literature, the translations and commentary provided in this book updates and challenges earlier and more recent studies with special regard to liturgical practices. In addition, English translations of these witnesses are provided for the first time anywhere. Revisiting an earlier claim held by J. M. Hanssens, SJ, this study also argues that the final redaction of the text likely occurred within an Egyptian orbit.