Athanasius of Alexandria

Experience the world of fourth-century Christianity with this handcrafted replica of Chester Beatty Cpt 2044, a group of nine surviving Coptic papyrus fragments preserving portions of Athanasius of Alexandria's Letter to Dracontius.

Cpt 2044 consists of nine surviving papyrus fragments from Athanasius of Alexandria’s Letter to Dracontius. The letter urges Dracontius, a monk who had withdrawn after becoming bishop, to return to his ministry. Athanasius argues that monastic devotion and faithful service to the Church are not incompatible. Dracontius apparently heeded Athanasius’s appeal: he continued as bishop, was later exiled and reappears among the bishops at the Council of Alexandria in AD 362.

Our Replicas
Each Sacred Text Replica begins with careful research and close study of the surviving ancient manuscript. The manuscript image is reproduced on premium Egyptian papyrus, reflecting the material of the original. The papyrus fibers are carefully cut and worked to recreate the irregular edges, lacunae, holes, and other signs of deterioration visible in the surviving manuscript. Because this finishing is performed individually rather than by automated cutting, subtle variations occur naturally, making each completed replica unique.

An Extraordinary Early Witness
What makes this manuscript especially significant is its age. The surviving Coptic manuscript tradition dates to the same century in which Athanasius wrote the original letter. The related papyrus roll P. Monts. Roca inv. 14 is regarded as the earliest known manuscript evidence for the Letter to Dracontius, predating the earliest surviving Greek codex of the work by approximately six centuries. 
The Coptic text is also important for reconstructing Athanasius's writings. Scholars have identified readings in this ancient translation that differ from the surviving Greek manuscripts, including material apparently lost at an early stage in the Greek textual tradition.

The Manuscript
The original Cpt 2044 fragments are preserved today in the Chester Beatty in Dublin, Ireland. They were produced in Egypt during the fourth century and written in Coptic on papyrus. The nine surviving fragments demonstrate the fragile transmission through which ancient Christian writings have reached the modern world.

Manuscript: Cpt 2044
Work: Letter to Dracontius
Author: Athanasius of Alexandria
Date: 4th century AD
Language: Coptic
Material of original: Papyrus
Origin: Egypt
Present collection: Chester Beatty, Dublin
Sacred Text Replicas — faithfully crafted · eternally inspired

Presented in a vertical 18" × 6.5"  shadow box frame with glass front, designed to be hung on a wall or stand upright on a shelf or desk. The framing allows for clear viewing while protecting the papyrus surface

Customers have used these replicas for:
Sermon props
Bible studies
Classroom lessons
Seminary education
Personal collections
Church displays
Museum exhibits
Office or bookshelf displays

International Orders: Applicable VAT/GST may be collected by Etsy at checkout. Buyers are responsible for any additional customs duties, import fees, carrier charges, or other charges imposed by their country that are not collected by Etsy. International availability may vary based on the materials used in each replica.

Modern Replica Only: This item is a modern replica, created for artistic and educational purposes. It is not an ancient artifact. 

Image courtesy of the Chester Beatty Library. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Adapted for this reproduction