Ruth I. Kern's The Secret Codices for Ladies Who Lunch

In the mid-1940s, ancient manuscripts were discovered buried in an earthenware jar at the foot of a mountain near the southern Egyptian village of Nag Hammadi. These writings, banned by the Catholic Church in the 4th century, proved to be early Christian texts when translated. The Secret Codices relates the heroic efforts of a small band of 4th-century Egyptians to preserve these forbidden texts and translate them into the Coptic language. The story is told by a scribe, Ankhesenna, a brilliant scholar tutored by her grandfather, the famous teacher Epimachos. Her journey to save these codices leads her into a dangerous adventure spanning the length of Egypt from Alexandria up the Nile to the mountains near Nag Hammadi. The identity of those who buried these manuscripts remains unknown, but their preservation and translation into Coptic was a remarkable feat of dedication and perseverance.

Ankhesenna, the scribe at the center of the story, was a brilliant scholar mentored by her grandfather, Epimachos, a renowned teacher. Her journey to safeguard the forbidden texts takes her from Alexandria, traveling up the Nile to the mountains near Nag Hammadi, where the ancient manuscripts were discovered buried in an earthenware jar in the mid-1940s. These writings, which had been banned by the Catholic Church in the 4th century, were revealed to be early Christian texts when translated.

The Secret Codices chronicles the heroic efforts of a small group of 4th-century Egyptians who risked everything to preserve these forbidden texts and ensure their translation into the Coptic language. Their story is one of remarkable dedication and perseverance, as they faced the constant threat of discovery and destruction by the forces of the Catholic Church.

Despite the dangers, Ankhesenna and her companions were driven by a deep conviction to safeguard these ancient writings, which they believed held the key to a deeper understanding of early Christianity. Their journey was fraught with peril, as they navigated the treacherous terrain of Egypt to reach the remote location where the manuscripts were hidden.

The discovery of these ancient texts has had a profound impact on our understanding of early Christian history and the diversity of religious thought that existed in the ancient world. The Secret Codices serves as a testament to the power of knowledge and the lengths people will go to preserve it, even in the face of overwhelming adversity.

product information: