The Oriental Orthodox Library is an ever expanding series of volumes containing translations into English of theological works of importance to the faithful members and interested students of the Oriental Orthodox Churches.

These Churches comprise the Coptic, Syrian, Armenian, Ethiopian, Indian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches, together with other communities, such as the British Orthodox Church, which have more recently found a home among them.

While a large body of writings from these Churches is available, it is generally in the original Eastern languages, or has been translated into a language other than English.

There are also a great many scholarly papers which are difficult to find, and yet would be of great interest and worth to members of the Oriental Orthodox Churches, and those interested in learning more about them.

The Oriental Orthodox Library, by re-publishing these works in English, makes them available to the widest audience.

November 2007

There are now NINETEEN volumes in the Library. Check the Catalogue or Purchase pages.

Three Encomiums on the Archangel Michael, trans. E.A. Wallis Budge.

Publication - Nov 2007

These three Encomiums were written about the beginning of the VIIth century, and in them we see some of the earliest specimens of this class of Coptic literature in existence. They were written by Abba Theodosius, Archbishop of Alexandria, Severus of Antioch, and Eustathius, Bishop of Trake,

The lives of Coptic saints and the Encomiums upon them are generally too full of miracles and somewhat monotonous exhortations to the listener and reader, but these Encomiums now published for the first time are interesting exceptions to the rule, for they contain narratives which are full of importance, not only for the philologist and antiquary, but also for the student of comparative folk-lore and demonology.