On the Passover

Bring a rare piece of early Christian history into your collection with this carefully crafted replica of Papyrus Bodmer XXIII, a remarkable ancient codex preserving the transition from the Book of Enoch into Peri Pascha by Melito of Sardis!

This unique manuscript is a remarkable manuscript because it preserves both a rare Jewish pseudepigraphon and one of the earliest known Christian Easter/Passover homilies side-by-side.

About the Original

The original manuscript is part of the renowned collection housed at the Bodmer Library in Switzerland. Dating to approximately the 3rd–4th century AD, it is a key artifact for scholars studying early Christianity and biblical literature.

Authors of the New Testament were also familiar with some content of the book. A short section of 1 Enoch is cited in the Epistle of Jude, being attributed to "Enoch, the Seventh from Adam" (1 Enoch 60:8). 1 Enoch is not considered to be canonical scripture by most movements of Judaism or branches of Christianity, although it is part of the biblical canon used by the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.

• Upper section (end of 1 Enoch 106.8–18): This is the conclusion of the “Book of Noah” section in the Book of Enoch (a Jewish apocalyptic text from ~300–100 BC). It discusses Noah’s miraculous birth. Lamech had feared his son might be from the fallen angels (the “Watchers”), but Enoch reassures Methuselah that the child is legitimate and righteous. Enoch then prophesies the coming great flood that will destroy the wicked world, while Noah and his three sons will be saved to become the new beginning for humanity after the judgment.

• Lower section (beginning of Melito of Sardis, Peri Pascha 1–4): This is the opening of Melito’s famous early Christian homily “On the Passover” (written ~170 AD). Melito starts by explaining that the public reading of the Hebrew Exodus story reveals a deeper “mystery” (sacrament). He begins to show how the ancient Passover lamb and the events of the first Passover are a prophetic “type” that points forward to Christ’s suffering and redemptive death—the true Paschal sacrifice that brings salvation to the new people of God.

Customers have used these replicas for:

• Bible studies
• Classroom lessons
• Seminary education
• Personal collections
• Church displays
• Museum exhibits
• Office or bookshelf displays

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.

Modern Replica Only

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