You can now read (or at least look at) 800 pages of the 1600-year-old Codex Sinaiticus online,
thanks to the British Library.
The oldest known text of the Bible, it includes the Septuagint version of the Old Testament -- that's the Greek version used at the time of Christ -- and the New Testament in "Koine," the original vernacular Greek.
Found in a monastery at Mt. Sinai in 1844, the book is a codex -- a bound manuscript -- rather than a scroll. The text is written in four narrow columns. Corrections and glosses are written in the wide margins, which makes it particularly interesting to scholars.
Why should it be particularly interesting to you? For one thing, the web page is an amazing bit of technology. Take a look at any page (for instance, this one) and you'll see the complete image on the left side, a transliteration on the right (great if you can read Greek, which I can't), and an English or German translation. You can switch between translations, if you're multi-lingual. You can move the page around, and you can magnify it, and you can even look at it in "raking light," which makes it hard to read but shows you every wrinkle in the parchment.
Every scholar in the world can now look at this book from his or her computer -- no need to travel to one of the four countries that have the original pages. Amateurs can look at them without credentials. People with tangential interest in the volume, such as calligraphers, historians, and bookbinders, can see it. And all without paying a dime.
But beyond that, there's another reason. Contrary to what some seem to believe, the Bible wasn't written yesterday. Contrary to what people like Dan Brown would have us believe, it's been around, and in the form we know, for a very long time. Take a few minutes to look at this book, this very copy of which was used by Catholics for hundreds of years. This is their book. It's also our book.
The Son Rise Morning Show Needs Your Support!
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Today's other news.
The Honduras military has shut down the country's Jesuit-run radio station.
Hear a priest's take on what's happening in China.
Hear a priest's take on what's happening in China.
Guests for Tuesday, 7/7/2009
Marge Fenelon, author of "When's God Gonna Show Up?"
Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.
Barry Michaels is online at barrymichaelsbooks.com.
John Pepe and EWTN are online at ewtn.com.
Bill Donaghy is online at missionmoment.org. He and Christopher West blog called Twisted Mystics.
Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.
Paula Westwood and Right to Life are online at nrlc.org.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Teresa Tomeo is online at teresatomeo.com.
Dr Paul Voss writes for the Integrated Life Channel on Catholic Exchange.
Frank Hanna, author of "What Your Money Means"
Fr Phillip DeVous is online at acton.org.
Barry Michaels is online at barrymichaelsbooks.com.
John Pepe and EWTN are online at ewtn.com.
Bill Donaghy is online at missionmoment.org. He and Christopher West blog called Twisted Mystics.
Kevin Schmiesing is online at catholichistory.net.
Paula Westwood and Right to Life are online at nrlc.org.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Teresa Tomeo is online at teresatomeo.com.
Dr Paul Voss writes for the Integrated Life Channel on Catholic Exchange.
Frank Hanna, author of "What Your Money Means"
Monday, July 6, 2009
Today's news.
Pope Benedict writes a letter to the Italian Prime Minister ahead of this week's G8 Summit.
Caritas in Veritate will be released tomorrow.
The Holy Father condemns the bombing in the Philippines.
Caritas in Veritate will be released tomorrow.
The Holy Father condemns the bombing in the Philippines.
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Help EWTN Get on XM Radio
Call John Pepe at 1-205-271-2971x3167, and help expand the radio ministry of EWTN.
You can also email your willingness to assist: radio@ewtn.com.
You can also email your willingness to assist: radio@ewtn.com.
Rita Heikenfeld's Zucchini Stuffed with Cherry Tomatoes and Goat Cheese
Find more great recipes at abouteating.com:
4 medium zucchini, halved and hollowed out, leaving a nice border.
Inside pulp of zucchini, chopped
Olive oil
1 nice onion, chopped
Handful of fresh parsley, chopped or palmful of fresh basil, chopped (opt but good)
Seasonings: Pepper to taste and salt if you want (but remember the cheese is salty)
About 2 cups Feta, crumbled or Goat cheese, crumbled
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
Preheat oven to 450. Put zucchini, cut sides down on baking sheet and bake 10-25 minutes. Let sit while sautéing onion in olive oil until soft, about 5 minutes. Add reserved chopped zucchini and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated, about 10 minutes. Do this on low or medium. Adjust seasonings. Let cool a bit then stir in herbs and cheese and tomatoes. Fill zucchini with this mixture, and bake until top is lightly browned, about 15 minutes. Serves 8.
Today's news.
Catholic Culture sponsors a perpetual rosary to pray that President Obama will be profoundly influenced by his upcoming audience with Pope Benedict.
The Holy See announces that "Caritas in Veritate" will be released on Tuesday, 7 July.
Pope Benedict focuses on the Year of the Priest during his weekly general audience.
The Holy See announces that "Caritas in Veritate" will be released on Tuesday, 7 July.
Pope Benedict focuses on the Year of the Priest during his weekly general audience.
Guests for Thursday, 7/2/2009
Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com.
Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanradio.org.
Fr James Kubicki is online at apostleshipofprayer.org.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com and blogs for The Community Press.
Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.
John Pepe and EWTN are online at ewtn.com.
Gina Loehr has a new book out, "Choosing Beauty"
Tom Colyandro writes for Catholic Exchange.
Fr Joe Classen, author of "Tracking Virtue, Conquering Vice"
Dr. Stephen Meyer, author of "The Signature in the Cell"
Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanradio.org.
Fr James Kubicki is online at apostleshipofprayer.org.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Rita Heikenfeld is online at abouteating.com and blogs for The Community Press.
Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.
John Pepe and EWTN are online at ewtn.com.
Gina Loehr has a new book out, "Choosing Beauty"
Tom Colyandro writes for Catholic Exchange.
Fr Joe Classen, author of "Tracking Virtue, Conquering Vice"
Dr. Stephen Meyer, author of "The Signature in the Cell"
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
"So They Really Are Christians"
I toured a Greek Orthodox church the other day. Built in 1972, it has a spare, modern design. Yet it is still eminently Greek Orthodox, from the glittering murals overhead to the iconostasis (the screen separating the main church from the sanctuary).
The guides were well-versed in theology, and the walk-through was as much an introduction to Greek Orthodoxy as it was to the building. The patter was obviously perfected over many years -- including explanations of what liturgy is for the Protestants and "unchurched," and details about the sacraments for the Catholics. There were even a couple of "head 'em off at the pass" moments designed to discourage people from staying after the tour to try to convert the tour guides to different brands of Christianity.
But still, I was a little surprised when the tour ended and one of the people sitting next to me turned to the other and said, "So they really are Christians."
What a strange world we live in , when zealous Christians of any stripe sincerely do not recognize the oldest Church in the world for what it is. As a Catholic, of course, I'm used to certain "Christians" thinking I'm not a Christian at all. But somehow it never occurred to me that anyone could think of the Greek Orthodox as, well, anything but the "original" Christians.
Pope John Paul II referred to the Eastern Orthodox as the Church's "other lung," a vital missing organ that the Church will miss until we are finally reconciled.
I don't claim to know how to fix something that has been broken for nearly a thousand years, but I do know that it's broken. I have every confidence that someday the Church will be, once again, one. When we reconcile with the "other lung," it will be because theological and practical details will be at last overcome.
But when we reconcile with the tens of thousands (yes, there are that many) of groups that have split off, first from the Church, and then from each other, it will be in part because those lost Christians will be able to look at the Orthodox and say, without surprise, "They really are Christians."
The guides were well-versed in theology, and the walk-through was as much an introduction to Greek Orthodoxy as it was to the building. The patter was obviously perfected over many years -- including explanations of what liturgy is for the Protestants and "unchurched," and details about the sacraments for the Catholics. There were even a couple of "head 'em off at the pass" moments designed to discourage people from staying after the tour to try to convert the tour guides to different brands of Christianity.
But still, I was a little surprised when the tour ended and one of the people sitting next to me turned to the other and said, "So they really are Christians."
What a strange world we live in , when zealous Christians of any stripe sincerely do not recognize the oldest Church in the world for what it is. As a Catholic, of course, I'm used to certain "Christians" thinking I'm not a Christian at all. But somehow it never occurred to me that anyone could think of the Greek Orthodox as, well, anything but the "original" Christians.
Pope John Paul II referred to the Eastern Orthodox as the Church's "other lung," a vital missing organ that the Church will miss until we are finally reconciled.
I don't claim to know how to fix something that has been broken for nearly a thousand years, but I do know that it's broken. I have every confidence that someday the Church will be, once again, one. When we reconcile with the "other lung," it will be because theological and practical details will be at last overcome.
But when we reconcile with the tens of thousands (yes, there are that many) of groups that have split off, first from the Church, and then from each other, it will be in part because those lost Christians will be able to look at the Orthodox and say, without surprise, "They really are Christians."
Travel Links from Kevin Wright
1. The Shrine of Christ's Passion
Shrine Manager: Paul Anderson
The Shrine of Christ's Passion
10630 Wicker Ave. (US 41)
St. John, IN 46373
219-365-6010 phone
219-365-5236 fax
info@shrineofchristspassion.org
2. Germany's Oberammergau Passion Play
3. Camino Pilgrimage Trail of Santiago de Compostela
4. Shroud of Turin on display
Shrine Manager: Paul Anderson
The Shrine of Christ's Passion
10630 Wicker Ave. (US 41)
St. John, IN 46373
219-365-6010 phone
219-365-5236 fax
info@shrineofchristspassion.org
2. Germany's Oberammergau Passion Play
3. Camino Pilgrimage Trail of Santiago de Compostela
4. Shroud of Turin on display
Guests for Wednesday, 7/1/2009
Paula Westwood and Right to Life of Greater Cincinnati are online at cincinnatirighttolife.org.
Dr Alan Schreck is the man behind the Church History project "Epic."
Joan Guntzelman, author of "Surrendering our Stress"
You can reach Jack Rudnik and Holy Family Home here.
Burke Balch and the Powell Center for Medical Ethics are online here.
Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com
Fr James Kubicki is online at apostleshipofprayer.org.
J Budzizewski, author of "The Line Through the Heart"
Kevin Wright and the World Religious Travel Association are online at WRTAreligioustravel.com.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.
Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanradio.org.
Dr Alan Schreck is the man behind the Church History project "Epic."
Joan Guntzelman, author of "Surrendering our Stress"
You can reach Jack Rudnik and Holy Family Home here.
Burke Balch and the Powell Center for Medical Ethics are online here.
Anthony Buono is online at avemariasingles.com
Fr James Kubicki is online at apostleshipofprayer.org.
J Budzizewski, author of "The Line Through the Heart"
Kevin Wright and the World Religious Travel Association are online at WRTAreligioustravel.com.
Send your questions for Catholic counselor Kevin Prendergast to sonrise@sacredheartradio.com.
Marybeth Hicks is online at marybethhicks.com.
Fr Greg Friedman is online at franciscanradio.org.
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