E04385: Fragmentary papyrus sheets from a codex with an account in Greek of the miracles and martyrdom of *George (soldier and martyr, S00259), one of the earliest extant Greek manuscript of the so-called 'legend of Saint George'. The preserved fragments describe his resurrection of the dead, his healing of a widow's son, the third resurrection of George by Christ, and the tempting of George by king Dadianos (= the initial passages of the conversion of Queen Alexandra). A miracle by *Michael (the Archangel, S00181) is also mentioned. Found at Nessana/Auja Hafir in the Negev desert (Roman province of Palaestina III). Probably 7th c.
Creators: name: Pnowakowski
Publisher: name: University of Oxford
Year: 2017
Subjects: History

description: The extant pieces, registered as BHG 669y, preserve the following elements of the text of the 'legend', as known from 13th-16th c. manuscripts. For a short description of the manuscripts, see the comments. For a descriptions of the entire 'legend', see $E06147. <br><br>Summary:<br><br>Pieces I-IV, lines 1-97 of Casson and Hettich's edition, describe the episode of the resurrection of the dead by George. The Persian king Dadianos shows George a sarcophagus and orders him to resurrect the deceased. <br>George kneels, prays, an earthquake occurs, and a great fire. Five men, nine women, and three children are resurrected from the bones and ashes kept in the sarcophagus. The king talks to one of the resurrected. He says that he died 200 years ago. He did not know Christianity, and was a worshipper of Apollo. The king is advised to acknowledge Christ as the Saviour. The Last Judgement is mentioned.<br><br>Portions of this passage are very close to its counterpart in the Athenian codex. <br><br>Pieces V - mid-VI, lines 98-169 of Casson and Hettich's edition, describe the episode of the poor widow. A wooden staff miraculously becomes a tree with long branches and leaves. Michael the Archangel descends from Heaven and brings heavenly bread (ἄρτος οὐράνιος), which is consumed by George. The table at the widow's house is miraculously filled with food. The widow falls at the saint's feet. George raises her and instructs her that he himself is not the God of the Christians, but a mere servant of God. The widow asks George to heal her blind, deaf, and crippled child. She brings the child in and lays him on George's lap. George invokes God and 'blows air' (ἐμφυσάω) into the child's eyes. The child is healed.<br><br>This passage alternates between agreement with the Parisian and Athenian MSS. Here, and in the following pieces, some lines are annotated by a second hand, adding sentences apparently omitted by the principal scribe.<br><br>Pieces mid-VI - mid-VII, lines 170-219 of Casson and Hettich's edition, describe the episode of the conversion of the servants. George's corpse is brought to 'Toros' (probably a corruption of τὸ ὄρος/'the Mountain' differently identified in manuscripts: Asinaris, Seres, Siris, Asûrion, Yedrâs, Didria, Edria). Servants (ὑπηρέται) are present. It thunders, and Christ descends upon clouds, in glory. He orders George to rise from the dead. The servants convert to Christianity and are baptised by George. The servants return to their kings, and confess they are now Christians. They are executed.<br><br>This passage is omitted in the Parisian manuscript.<br><br>Pieces mid-VII - VIII, lines 220-261 of Casson and Hettich's edition, describe the episode of Queen Alexandra's conversion. George is summoned to the kings. King Dadianos offers him care and wealth in exchange for sacrificing to pagan gods. George purports that he will sacrifice to Apollo. The king rejoices.<br><br>The passage seems to be corrupted, as the respondents of George are first 'kings', and then a single 'king'. Verb forms are also confusing (both plural and singular in the same dialogue). The scribe was aware of this inconsistency, and tried to cope with it by introducing a sentence introducing king Dadianos as the speaker, unparalleled in known manuscripts.