The Cult of Saints in Late Antiquity

M591, ff. 94r–121v


Introduction

ⲟⲩⲉⲅⲕⲱⲙⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲁϥⲧⲁⲩⲟϥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲉⲛⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛⲉⲓⲱⲧ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϥⲣ ⲙⲁⲛⲟⲩⲱϩ ⲉⲡⲉⲡⲛⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲓⲥⲁⲁⲕ
ⲡⲉⲡⲓⲥⲕⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲁⲛⲧⲓⲛⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲁϥⲧⲁⲩⲟϥ ⲉⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲁⲡⲁ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲙⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲥⲁⲉⲓⲛ ⲛⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲛ
ⲡⲉ(ⲛ)ⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲗⲟ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲛⲟⲩⲑⲩⲥⲓⲁ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲡⲡⲁⲛⲧⲱⲕⲣⲁⲧⲱⲣ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲙⲉⲣⲓⲧ ⲛϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲓⲥ ⲡⲉⲭⲥ ⲛⲧⲁϥⲧⲁⲩⲉ ⲡⲓⲉⲅⲕⲟⲙⲓⲟⲛ
ⲇⲉ ⲙⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲣⲡⲙⲉⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲥⲟⲩ ϫⲟⲩⲧⲁϥⲧⲉ ⲡⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲡⲁϣⲟⲛⲥ ⲁϥϣⲁϫⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲟⲛ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲛⲉϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ
ⲛⲧⲁ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲁⲁⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲓⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲉⲓⲣⲏⲛⲏ ϩⲁⲙⲏⲛ

‘An encomion which our holy father, the one who became a dwelling place for the holy spirit, saint Apa Isaak, the bishop of Antinoopolis, produced. He recited it for saint Apa Kollouthos, the faithful martyr and true physician, the one who offered his body as a sacrifice to God, the Almighty, and to his beloved Son, Jesus Christ. He recited this encomion on the day of his holy remembrance, that is the day twenty-four of the month Pashons. He spoke also about the miracles and wonders which God wrought through him. In peace. Amen.’


§§ 1–5: The saint is praised in front of the congregation.

§§ 6–8: The saint is addressed and asked to accept this encomion.

§§ 9–10: The congregation is urged to listen attentively.

§ 11: The saint is addressed for the second time to accept this encomion.

§ 12: The congregation is addressed for the second time to listen attentively.


The saint's childhood

§§ 13–19: The life of the saint’s pious parents, Heraklamon, the governor (dux), and his wife Christiane, is illustrated.

§§ 20–28: The saint’s exceptional childhood is laid out, relating the boy’s strong desire for chastity, fasting, humility, and reading the scripture.

§§ 29–32: The Archangel Gabriel appears to the twelve-year old boy and informs him of his future martyrdom and everything that will happen up to then. Among many other things, he announces God’s gift of clairvoyance.

§ 31: ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲛⲁⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛⲧⲙⲛⲧⲣⲉϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲑⲉ ⲛⲥⲁⲙⲟⲩⲏⲗ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲟⲫⲏⲧⲏⲥ

‘God will grant you clairvoyance just like Samuel, the prophet.’


First miracle (A cripple is healed)

§§ 33–37: First healing miracle: a crippled man touches the boy’s hand and is restored to health. The man starts proclaiming the boy’s power, but Kollouthos commands him to stop this madness (mania), as it is surely Christ who healed him rather than a sinful man. But people heard of it.

§ 37:
ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲩϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲁⲛⲧⲱⲥ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲥⲱⲧⲡ ⲙⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉⲓⲡⲟⲗⲓⲥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϫⲉ ⲛⲧⲁϥϯⲟⲩⲱ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟⲩⲛⲉ
ⲉⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩⲥ ⲉⲧⲉ ϩⲏⲣⲁⲕⲗⲁⲙⲱⲛ ⲡⲇⲟⲩⲝ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲛⲧⲁϥⲕⲱⲧ ⲛⲟⲩⲡⲁⲗⲗⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ ⲛⲁϥ ϩⲛ ⲛⲉⲙⲡⲏⲩⲉ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲙⲙⲛⲧⲛⲁ ⲉⲧϥⲉⲓⲣⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ
ⲛϩⲏⲕⲉ

‘They were saying: “Surely, this one will be an elect saint in this city, because he has sprouted from a good root, which is Heraklamon, the governor (dux), the one who built himself a palace in the heavens due to the merciful acts which he performed with the poor.”’


The saint reaches adulthood

§ 38: The saint’s father, Heraklamon, tells his son of a vision he had through an angel, foretelling the future persecutions of Christians and destruction of churches. He asks his son, never to stop praying for him.

§§ 39–41: Kollouthos refuses to marry his cousin Tadiane, or anyone at all.

§ 42: His parents die.

§§ 43–44: Kollouthos converses with the bishop of the city and asks for his prayers.

§§ 45–47: Kollouthos gives away his inherited goods and property, and has former storerooms turned into dwelling-places for strangers and people suffering from illnesses. Stewards (oikonomoi) are appointed over three such institutions and all their expenses and supplies paid for.

§ 48: Aged twenty, Kollouthos continues with his severe fasting routines and prayers, growing in purity, so much so that he gains powers of insight, knowing the sin and goodness of people as soon as he speaks with them.


Second miracle (A blind man is healed)

§§ 49–51: The second miracle healing takes place, this time in the neighbouring city Hermopolis. Meeting a blind man who is naked, he offers one of his garments to him. As soon as the blind man’s eyes are brushed by this garment, he can see.

§ 50-51:
ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲃⲗⲗⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ϭⲟⲗⲡ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁϥⲕⲁⲁϥ ⲕⲁϩⲏⲩ ⲛⲟⲩⲕⲁⲙⲓⲥⲟⲛ ϩⲓ ⲡϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲁϥⲧⲁⲁⲥ
ⲙⲡⲃⲗⲗⲉ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ϯ ⲧⲉⲓⲕⲁⲙⲓ<ⲥⲓ>ⲟ(ⲛ) ϩⲓⲱⲱⲕ ⲉⲕϭⲟⲗⲡ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ …
ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲉⲓ ⲉϥⲛⲁⲧⲁⲁⲥ ϩⲓϫⲱϥ ⲁⲥⲧⲁϩⲉ ⲡⲉϥⲃⲁⲗ ⲥⲛⲁⲩ ⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲁⲧⲉϥϩⲟⲣⲁⲥⲓⲥ ⲥⲙⲓⲛⲉ ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ

‘When the holy one saw the blind man, his body naked, he took off a garment from under his and gave it to the blind man saying: “Put this garment on, since you are naked!”’ …
‘As the man was in the process of putting it on, it touched both of his eyes. He saw immediately. His eyesight was completely restored.’

§ 52: The congregation is addressed and the saint’s healing power is compared to that of the Apostles.


The saint becomes a presbyter and physician

§§ 53–56: Kollouthos, at the age of thirty, lives with Pinoution, the new bishop of Antinoopolis, and his son Philipp, a physician, who teaches him to perfect his healing abilities. Kollouthos becomes a presbyter and a physician, practising medicine and performing healing miracles without remuneration.


Martyrdom

§§ 57–58: Arianos, becomes the new governor (hegemon), comes to Antinoopolis, and marries Kollouthos’ cousin Tadiane.

§ 59: Diocletian becomes emperor and Arianos follows the orders of an edict to punish any refusal to sacrifice to the imperial gods.

§ 60: A short account of Kollouthos’ martyrdom is given: refusal to sacrifice, cursing the governor Arianos, a three-year prison sentence in Hermopolis, and eventually death by burning.

ⲁϥⲣⲱⲕϩ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲕⲱϩⲧ ⲁϥϫⲱⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲧⲉϥⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲁ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲥⲟⲩ ϫⲟⲩⲧⲁϥⲧⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲡⲁϣⲟⲛⲥ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲕ
ϣⲁ ⲡⲉⲧϥⲙⲉ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲡⲉⲭⲥ · ⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲁⲩⲕⲱⲧ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛⲟⲩⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲁⲩⲕⲱ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲥⲱⲙⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲉⲁⲩⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ ⲛϭⲟⲙ ϩⲓ
ϣⲡⲏⲣⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ϩⲓ ⲡⲉϥⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ

‘He (Arianos) burned him in a fire. The holy Kollouthos completed his martyrdom on day twenty-four of the month Pashons. He went to the one whom he loves, Christ. Afterwards, a martyr shrine (martyrion) was built for him. His holy body was placed in it, while a multitude of miracles and wonders occurred at his sanctuary (topos).’


First posthumous miracle (A man's injured foot is healed)

§§ 61–69: The first miracle taking place in the saint’s martyr shrine involves the healing of an alcoholic from Antinoopolis who injured his foot falling off a roof while drunk. When doctors had given up on him, a deacon suggested that he be taken to the saint’s shrine.

§§ 65–67:
ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲛⲕⲁⲧⲕ ⲉϥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲑⲗⲓⲯⲓⲥ ⲁϥⲁⲣⲭⲉⲓ ⲛϫⲓ ϣⲕⲁⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲥⲁⲉⲓⲛ ⲛⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟⲛ
ϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲙⲡⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲁⲩⲱ ϯⲛⲁϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲛⲟⲩϩⲙϩⲁⲗ ⲉⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ϣⲁ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲁⲙⲟⲩ ⲡⲁϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲃⲟⲏⲑⲓⲁ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲙϩⲁⲗ ⲛⲣⲉϥⲣⲛⲟⲃⲉ
ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲟⲩ ⲁⲡⲣⲏ ϩⲱⲧⲡ ⲁⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲩⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲉⲛⲡϩⲓⲛⲏⲃ ⲉϫⲱϥ ⲁϥⲱⲃϣ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣⲟⲙⲁ ⲉϥⲛⲏϫ ⲁⲕⲧⲓⲛ
ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲕⲗⲟⲙ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ϩⲓϫⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲁⲡⲉ ⲉϥⲣⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲉ ⲡⲣⲏ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲛⲁⲧϥ ⲛⲥⲱⲃⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϭⲱⲗⲡ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲧⲉⲟⲩⲉⲣⲏⲧⲉ ⲧⲁⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲁϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲙⲛ ϣϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲙⲟⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗⲥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲓϣⲁⲛⲕⲓⲙ ⲉⲣⲟⲥ ϣⲁⲓⲕⲓⲛⲇⲩⲛⲉⲩⲉ ⲉⲡⲙⲟⲩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲩⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲃⲱⲗ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲧⲉϥⲟⲩⲉⲣⲏⲧⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϭⲱϣⲧ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲉϥⲥⲧⲱⲧ ⲁϥⲟⲩⲉϩ ⲛⲉϥⲧⲏⲏⲃⲉ ⲉϫⲱⲥ
ⲁϥⲥⲫⲣⲁⲅⲓⲍⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲁⲥⲣ ⲑⲉ ⲛⲧⲕⲉⲟⲩⲉⲓ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲩⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲉⲓⲥ ϩⲏⲏⲧⲉ ⲁⲓⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲙⲡⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲙⲡⲉⲣⲕⲟⲧⲕ ϭⲉ
ⲉⲣⲛⲟⲃⲉ ϫⲉ ⲛⲛⲉ ⲡⲉⲑⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲡⲁⲓ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ

‘He lay down, being in a great affliction. He began to cry out, saying: “Saint Kollouthos, true physician, I implore you: grant me healing and I will become a good servant for you until the day of my death. My Lord, holy martyr, help me! I am your sinful servant!”
While he was saying these things, the sun set. Saint Kollouthos brought sleep onto him. He slept and he (the saint) came to him in a dream, casting forth beams of light. A luminous crown was on his head shining brighter than the sun, while his face was smiling. He said to him: “Man, uncover your foot and I will examine it!” The man said to him: “My Lord, I am unable to untie it. If I move it, I will risk death.” Saint Kollouthos untied his foot, while the man looked at him trembling. He placed his fingers on it. He signed it (with a cross) and it became like the other. Saint Kollouthos said to him: “Behold, I have granted you healing. Do not ease back into committing sin, lest a greater evil than this one befalls you!”’

When the man awoke from his dream, he found his foot healed. He kept his promise and became a servant at the saint’s shrine.

§ 69:
ⲁⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϯ ⲙⲡⲉⲧⲛⲧⲁϥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲁϥϭⲱ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲉϥⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲉⲓ ϣⲁ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲙⲟⲩ

‘The man donated all his possessions to the shrine of saint Kollouthos. He remained in it, serving until the day of his death.’


Second posthumous miracle (A cripple, despite his impatience, is healed)

§ 70: The saint is invoked by the author (bishop Isaak) to help him in the choice of which miracles to relate from among the many associated with him.

§§ 71–77: The second miracle involves the healing of a crippled man from Antinoopolis who doubts the power of the saint.

§ 72: ⲁϥⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛϭⲁⲗⲉ ⲁϥⲁⲗⲉ ⲉⲩⲧⲃⲛⲏ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲁϥϭⲱ ⲉϥⲥⲟⲡⲥ ⲙⲙⲟϥ
ⲉⲧⲣⲉϥⲧⲁⲗϭⲟϥ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ ⲧⲉϥⲙⲛⲧⲁⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲣⲟⲩⲉⲃⲟⲧ ⲛϩⲟⲟⲩ ϩⲙ ⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲙⲡⲉⲗⲁ<ⲁ>ⲩ ⲛⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ
ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲛⲁϥ

‘The crippled man rose and mounted an animal. He went to the martyr shrine of saint Kollouthos. He continuously invoked him to have him heal him. Due to his faithlessness, he spent a month in the martyr shrine of saint Kollouthos and no healing took place for him.’

The man then started to get very impatient and complained.

§ 73: ⲙⲡⲉ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲉϣⲧⲁϭⲟⲓ ϩⲙ ⲡⲁϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲙⲏ ⲛⲧⲁⲓⲣⲛⲟⲃⲉ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲣⲁ ⲟⲩⲟ(ⲛ) ⲛⲓⲙ ⲁⲡⲃⲗⲗⲉ ϯⲡⲛⲉϩ ⲙⲡⲉⲫⲁⲛⲟⲥ
ⲉⲛⲉϥⲃⲁⲗ ⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲥⲁϥ ⲁⲩⲙⲏⲏϣⲉ ⲛⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ϫⲓ(ⲛ)ⲧⲁⲓⲉⲓ ⲉⲡⲉⲓⲙⲁ ϯⲛⲁⲃⲱⲕ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲡⲁⲏⲓ

‘Saint Kollouthos has been unable to heal me from my illness. Have I then sinned more than anyone else? Yesterday, the blind man applied the oil from the lamp to his eyes and he saw. A multitude of people was healed since I came here. I will go home.’

After making arrangements to be brought back home, the man spent his last night in the shrine.

§§ 74–75: ⲛⲉϥⲛⲕⲁⲧⲕ ϩⲁⲧⲙ ⲡⲕⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲙⲡⲉⲑⲏⲥⲓⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲙⲛ ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛϩⲟⲩ(ⲛ) ⲉⲡⲉⲑⲏⲥⲓⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲛⲥⲁⲃⲏⲗ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲙⲁⲩⲁⲁϥ
ⲗⲟⲓⲡⲟⲛ ⲁⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲟⲩⲱⲛ ⲉⲡⲣⲟ ⲙⲡⲉⲑⲏⲥⲓⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲁ ⲡϭⲁⲗⲉ ⲉϥⲫⲱⲣⲓ ⲛⲟⲩϩⲃⲥⲱ
ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲛⲑⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲭⲓⲱⲛ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲣⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲛⲑⲉ ⲙⲡⲣⲏ

‘He was lying down beside the enclosure (κάγκελος) of the altar (θυσιαστήριον). There was no one at the altar, except for himself. Then saint Kollouthos opened the door of the altar making an appearance. He came out to the crippled man, wearing a luminous garment like snow, while his face shone like the sun.’

The saint reproaches the pilgrim for his lack of faith and thus blaspheming against God.

§ 76: ⲡϭⲁⲗⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲉϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲛⲁⲓ ⲛⲧⲟⲟⲧϥ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲁϥϩⲉ ϩⲁ ⲛⲉϥⲟⲩⲉⲣⲏⲧⲉ ⲁϥ<ⲣ>ⲑⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧ ⲡⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ
ⲇⲉ ⲁϥⲁⲙⲁϩⲧⲉ ⲛⲧⲉϥϭⲓϫ ⲁϥⲧⲁϩⲟϥ ⲉⲣⲁⲧϥ ⲁϥ<ⲣ>ⲑⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲁ ⲙⲡⲉϥϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲉⲛⲉϩ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲕⲱ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
ⲡⲁϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲁⲓⲣⲛⲟⲃⲉ ⲉⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲉⲕⲙⲛⲧⲡⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲕⲱ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲁⲓⲧⲁⲗϭⲟⲕ ⲁⲩⲱ
ⲙⲡⲉⲣⲕⲁⲧⲕ ⲉⲣⲁⲡⲓⲥⲧⲟⲥ ⲉⲛⲉϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ϣⲁ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲉⲕⲙⲟⲩ

‘When the crippled man heard these things from saint Kollouthos, he fell down at his feet and was like dead. The saint, however, took hold of his hand. He raised him to his feet and he became as someone who had never been afflicted. He said to saint Kollouthos: “Forgive me, my Lord! I have sinned against God and your holiness.” Saint Kollouthos said to him: “I have forgiven you. I have healed you. Do not settle back to being faithless regarding the miracles of the saints until the day of your death!”’

§§ 78–81: The congregation is then addressed and urged to turn away from faithlessness and sin.


Third and fourth posthumous miracles (A slandered deacon is vindicated, and a dropsical woman cured)

§§ 82–94: The third miracle concerns the re-establishment of justice for a deacon who was falsely slandered. His re-establishment is linked to the healing of a woman suffering from dropsy as the fourth miracle (§ 88–94).

§ 82: ⲛⲉⲩⲛ ⲟⲩⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛϣⲏⲣⲉ ϣⲏⲙ ϩⲙ ⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲉⲧⲉⲙⲙⲁⲩ ⲛⲉⲩⲥⲁϩ ⲡⲉ ϩⲛ
ⲧⲉϥϭⲓⲛⲱϣ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲣⲉ ⲛⲉϥⲥⲧⲟⲙⲁⲭⲟⲥ ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲡⲓⲍⲉ ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ

‘There was a very young deacon in the martyr shrine of saint Kollouthos. That deacon was a master in his reading. His diction was particularly beautiful.’

ϩⲁⲡⲗⲱⲥ ⲛⲉⲙⲛ ⲥⲁϩ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲉϥϩⲉ

‘In short, there was no expert in the martyr shrine of saint Kollouthos of his kind.’

The other clerics were jealous of him and started rumours against him, suggesting that he had an affair with a local widow from whom he had borrowed money. As a result, the deacon is demoted, to the dismay of the local community.

§§ 88–89: ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲁϥϣⲁⲛ ϩⲧⲏϥ ϩⲁ ⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲙⲛⲛⲥⲁ ⲟⲩⲣⲟⲙⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉϥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ
ⲧⲕⲁⲑⲩⲣⲏⲥⲓⲥ ⲁϥⲧⲣⲉ ⲟⲩϩⲱⲃ ⲛⲧⲉⲓⲙⲓⲛⲉ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲟⲩⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲣⲙϩⲉ ⲉⲥⲟ ⲛϩⲉⲇⲣⲟⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲁⲥⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲁⲥⲃⲱⲕ ⲉⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲉⲁⲥϣⲟⲃⲉ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ ⲉⲙⲛ ϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉϥⲓ ϫⲱⲥ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉⲡⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲁⲥϭⲱ ⲉⲥⲛⲕⲁⲧⲕ ϩⲙ ⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲥⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ
ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲣⲉϥⲧⲁⲗϭⲟⲥ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲥϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲁⲥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲩϣⲏ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲁⲩⲕⲁⲑⲁⲓⲣⲟⲩ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲛⲕⲁⲧⲕ
ⲛϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ϩⲱⲱⲥ ⲛϩⲩⲇⲣⲟⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲛⲉⲥⲛⲕⲁⲧⲕ ⲉⲥϣⲟⲟⲡ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲉⲥϫⲓ ϣⲕⲁⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲥϫⲱ
ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲥⲁⲉⲓⲛ ⲛⲁⲗⲏⲑⲓⲛⲟ(ⲛ) ϣⲁⲛ ϩⲧⲏⲕ ϩⲁ ⲧⲁⲙⲛⲧⲉⲃⲓⲏⲛ ⲛⲅⲭⲁⲣⲓⲍⲉ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲙⲡⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲙⲡⲉⲣⲕⲁⲁⲧ ⲉⲙⲟⲩ ϩⲙ
ⲡⲉⲓⲛⲟϭ ⲛϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ϩⲱⲱϥ ⲛⲉϥⲛⲕⲁⲧⲕ ⲉϥϣⲗⲏⲗ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲡⲁϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲉⲓⲥ ϩⲏⲏⲧⲉ ⲕⲥⲟⲟⲩ(ⲛ) ϫⲉ
ⲛⲧⲁⲩϩⲓ ⲗⲁ ⲉⲣⲟⲓ ⲁⲧⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲁⲣⲓ ⲡⲁϩⲁⲡ ⲛⲅⲥⲟⲡⲥ ⲙⲡⲣⲣⲟ ⲛⲧⲡⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲛϥⲣ ⲟⲩⲛⲁ ⲙⲛ ⲧⲁⲯⲩⲭⲏ ⲛⲉⲃⲓⲏⲛ ⲙⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲉⲓⲛⲁⲁⲡⲁⲛⲧⲁ ⲉⲣⲟϥ

‘God and saint Kollouthos had pity on the deacon. After a year of being demoted, He caused this kind of thing to happen: A free woman who was dropsical (ὑδρωπικός) rose and went to the martyr shrine of saint Kollouthos. Being completely swollen, she was unable to lift her head at all. She remained lying down in the martyr shrine, invoking the God of saint Kollouthos to make him heal her from her disease.
It happened one night while the deacon who had been demoted was lying down in the martyr shrine, the dropsical woman was also lying there being in great suffering. She was crying out, saying: “Saint Kollouthos, true physician, have pity on my misery and grant me healing! Do not leave me to die in this great suffering!” The deacon also was lying down, praying and saying: “My Lord, saint Kollouthos, behold, you know that I have been slandered unjustly. Do justice to me and entreat the king of heaven and earth to have pity on my wretched soul on the day when I will meet him.”’

§ 90: ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲥⲱⲧⲙ ⲉⲡⲥⲟⲡⲥ ⲙⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲁϥϣⲛ ϩⲧⲏϥ ϩⲁ ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲛϩⲩⲇⲣⲟⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲉⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲙⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲙⲁ ⲛϣⲟⲣⲡ ⲛⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ ⲗⲟⲓⲡⲟⲛ ϩⲓⲧⲙ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲩⲟ ⲛⲧⲉϥⲙⲛⲧⲁⲅⲁⲑⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲉⲓⲛⲉ ⲛⲟⲩϩⲓⲛⲏⲃ ϩⲓϫⲙ ⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲁϥⲱⲃϣ ⲁϥⲉⲓ ϣⲁⲣⲟϥ ϩⲛ
ⲟⲩⲥⲭⲏⲙⲁ ⲉϥⲟⲩⲟⲃϣ ⲕⲁⲗⲱⲥ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉϥϩⲟ ⲛⲉϫ ⲁⲕⲧⲓⲛ ⲛⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲟⲩⲕⲗⲟⲙ ⲉϥⲣ ⲟⲩⲟⲉⲓⲛ ⲛⲑⲉ ⲙⲡⲣⲏ ϩⲓϫⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲁⲡⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ
ⲁϥⲟⲩⲱⲛϩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲟⲣⲟⲙⲁ ⲛⲧⲉⲩϣⲏ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩϩⲟ ⲉϥⲛⲁⲧϥ ⲛⲥⲱⲃⲉ ϫⲉ ⲭⲁⲓⲣⲉ ⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲧⲁⲩϩⲓ ⲗⲁ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛϫⲓⲛϭⲟⲛⲥ ⲙⲡⲣⲗⲩⲡⲏ ⲛⲧⲁⲓⲕⲁⲁⲕ ϩⲛ ⲧⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲙⲡⲉⲥⲏⲧ ϣⲁⲛⲧⲁⲇⲟⲕⲓⲙⲁⲍⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⲉⲕϣⲁⲛⲧⲱⲟⲩⲛ ⲛϣⲱⲣⲡ ⲁϫⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲛϩⲉⲇⲣⲟⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥ
ⲉⲧⲛⲕⲁⲧⲕ ϩⲁⲧⲙ ⲡⲕⲁⲅⲅⲉⲗⲟⲥ ⲙⲡⲉⲑⲏⲥⲓⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲏ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲟⲩϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲕⲛⲁⲉⲓ ⲉⲧⲉⲕⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲛⲕⲉⲥⲟⲡ

‘Saint Kollouthos heard the prayer of the deacon. He had mercy on the dropsical woman. To restore the deacon to his former position, now through the abundance of his kindness, he brought sleep over the deacon. He fell asleep and he (the saint) came to him in a beautiful white appearance. His face cast forth light beams, while a crown, shining like the sun, was on his head. He appeared to him in a dream at night. He said to him with a relaxed and smiling face: “Hail deacon who has been slandered unjustly! Do not be distressed! I have placed you in the low rank, until I test you. If you rise early, say to the dropsical woman who is sleeping by the enclosure of the altar: ‘You are released from your disease.’ You will return to your rank.”’

The reason for punishing the deacon with a demotion is given by the saint as follows:

§ 91: ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲕϩⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲡⲟⲣⲛⲓⲁ ⲁⲕϩⲉ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲛⲧⲉϣⲱⲧ ⲉⲕⲥⲟⲟⲩⲛ ϫⲉ ⲙⲉⲣⲉ ⲉϣⲱⲧ ⲉⲣⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲛⲟⲃⲉ

‘If you have not fallen into fornication, you have fallen into trade, knowing that a trader cannot escape sin.’

§ 92: ⲛⲁⲓ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ϫⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ϩⲙ ⲡϩⲟⲣⲟⲙⲁ ⲁϥⲗⲟ ⲁϥⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲣⲟϥ ⲛⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲁϥⲛⲉϩⲥⲉ ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ϩⲙ
ⲡϩⲓⲛⲏⲃ ⲉⲁϥϣⲱⲗⲙ ⲉⲩⲛⲟϭ ⲛⲥϯⲛⲟⲩⲃⲉ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲁⲓ ⲛⲧⲁϥϣⲁϫⲉ ⲛⲙⲙⲁⲓ ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲉ ϣⲱⲣⲡ ϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲙⲛ ⲛⲉⲫⲓⲗⲟⲡⲟⲛⲟⲥ ⲥⲟⲟⲩϩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲙⲡⲛⲁⲩ ⲛϣⲱⲣⲡ ϩⲙ ⲡⲕⲁⲑⲓⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲁⲡⲇⲓⲁⲕⲟⲛⲟⲥ ϯ ⲡⲉϥⲟⲩⲟⲓ
ⲉⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲉ ⲛϩⲉⲇⲣⲟⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲗⲁⲟⲥ ⲑⲉⲱⲣⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲧⲉⲕⲏ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲙ ⲡⲟⲩϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ ϩⲱⲥ ⲛⲧⲁ
ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲟⲩⲉϩⲥⲁϩⲛⲉ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲛ ⲧⲡⲉ ⲁⲥⲗⲟ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲥϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲁⲥⲣ ⲑⲉ ϩⲱⲥ ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲥϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲉⲛⲉϩ

‘When saint Kollouthos had said these things to the deacon in the dream, he ceased seeing him. He immediately woke up from (his) sleep smelling a wonderful perfume. He said: “This is saint Kollouthos who has spoken with me.” When morning came, while all the people and the diligent ones were gathered in the morning hour at the seat of saint Kollouthos, the deacon went up to the dropsical woman, while the people were watching him. He said: “Woman, you are released from your disease.” Immediately, as God had ordered from heaven, she was cured from her illness. She was just as if she had never been ill.’

§ 94: ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁϥⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲛⲧⲧⲁⲝⲓⲥ ⲛⲧⲙⲛⲧⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲁϥϭⲱ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲱⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ϣⲁ ⲡⲉϩⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲙⲟⲩ
ⲧⲉⲥϩⲓⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ϩⲱⲱⲥ ⲛϩⲉⲇⲣⲟⲡⲓⲕⲟⲥ ⲁⲥⲗⲟ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲥϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲁⲥϯ ⲙⲡⲉⲧϣⲟⲟⲡ ⲛⲁⲥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ
ⲁⲥⲃⲱⲕ ⲉⲡⲉⲥⲏⲓ ⲉⲥⲧⲁϣⲉ ⲟⲉⲓϣ ⲙⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲥϯ ⲉⲟⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲡⲉϥⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ

‘He (the demoted deacon) became worthy of the order of priesthood. He remained in the martyr shrine of saint Kollouthos until the day of his death. The dropsical woman, on her part, ceased from her illness. She donated everything she possessed to the shrine (topos) of saint Kollouthos. She went home proclaiming that which had happened to her glorifying God and his holy martyr, saint Kollouthos.’

§§ 95–97: The congregation is addressed and urged not to lie, or swear a false oath, or give false testimony.


Fifth posthumous miracle (A perjurer is struck dead)

§§ 98–108: The fifth and final miracle account related is the story of a trusting businessman/moneylender who was cheated by his scribe to whom he had lent a large sum of money (50 gold coins). The scribe, however, secretly removes his document of debt from the moneylender’s files. When asked to return the gold coins he had been given together with the customary interest (here 10 gold coins, i.e. 20%), the scribe claims that he had never received any money from the moneylender. They argue back and forth, and the moneylender finally suggests to enter the shrine of saint Kollouthos, so that the scribe could swear in the presence of the saint that he had truly not received any money, nor destroyed the record of debt. The scribe agrees to do this with fatal consequences.

§§ 106–108: ⲉⲡϩⲁⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲛⲛⲁⲓ ⲧⲏⲣⲟⲩ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ⲛϭⲓ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲁⲕⲙⲁⲧⲉⲩⲧⲏⲥ ϫⲉ ⲉϣϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲓⲧⲁⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ⲛⲙⲙⲁⲓ ⲉⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ
ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲁⲓ ϫⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲓϯ ⲗⲁⲁⲩ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲕϥⲓ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲙⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ ⲉⲧⲛϩⲟⲩ(ⲛ) ⲉⲡⲁⲏⲓ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ϯⲃⲏⲗ ⲛⲙⲙⲁⲕ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ⲁⲡⲇⲓⲁⲃⲟⲗⲟⲥ ⲙⲁϩϥ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲡⲉϫⲁϥ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ⲥⲱⲕ ⲧⲁⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲁⲩⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲁⲕⲙⲁⲧⲉⲩⲧⲏⲥ
ⲇⲉ ⲁϥⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ϫⲉ ⲱ ⲡⲁϫⲟⲉⲓⲥ ⲛⲥⲟⲛ ϥⲓ ϫⲟⲩⲧⲏ ⲛϩⲟⲗⲟⲕⲟⲧⲧⲓⲛⲟⲥ ⲛⲁⲕ ϯ ϫⲟⲩⲧⲏ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲧⲙⲏⲥⲉ ϯⲕⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
ⲙⲟⲛⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲣⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲧϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲡⲉϫⲉ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲁϥ ϫⲉ ϣⲁⲓⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲁⲕ ⲙⲙⲟⲛ ⲁⲕⲡⲱϣⲥ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲕ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ
ⲉⲡⲉⲑⲏⲥⲓⲁⲥⲧⲏⲣⲓⲟⲛ ⲁϥⲱⲣⲕ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ϣⲉ ⲛϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲡⲙⲁⲣⲧⲩⲣⲟⲥ ⲙⲛ ⲛϩⲓⲥⲉ ⲛⲧⲁϥϣⲟⲡⲟⲩ ⲙⲛ ⲛϭⲟⲙ ⲛⲧⲁϥⲟⲩⲟⲛϩⲟⲩ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ
ⲙⲡⲉⲕϯ ⲛⲟⲩⲃ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲟⲩⲇⲉ ⲙⲡⲉⲓϥⲓ ⲕⲣⲁⲙⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲉⲕⲏⲓ
ⲛⲧⲉⲩⲛⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲁⲧⲉ ⲡϣⲁϫⲉ ⲥⲱⲗⲡ ϩⲛ ⲧⲉϥⲧⲁⲡⲣⲟ ⲁϥϩⲉ ⲉϫⲙ ⲡⲕⲁϩ ⲁϥ<ⲣ> ⲑⲉ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲙⲟⲟⲩⲧ ⲁϥϫⲓ ϣⲕⲁⲕ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉϥϫⲱ ⲙⲙⲟⲥ ϫⲉ ⲁⲓⲣ
ⲛⲟⲃⲉ ⲟⲩⲁ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲛⲟⲩⲧⲉ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲑⲟⲥ ⲉⲓⲥ ⲡⲧⲁⲓⲟⲩ ⲛϩⲟⲗⲟⲕⲟⲧⲧⲓⲛⲟⲥ ⲛϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲁⲏⲓ ⲛⲁⲡⲓⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲛⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲁⲓϥⲓ ⲡⲉⲕⲣⲁⲙⲁⲧⲓⲟⲛ
ⲛϫⲓⲟⲩⲉ ⲁⲩⲱ ⲛⲧⲉⲣⲉ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲁⲕⲙⲁⲧⲉⲩⲧⲏⲥ ⲛⲁⲩ ⲉⲡⲉⲛⲧⲁϥϣⲱⲡⲉ ⲁϥⲣ ϩⲟⲧⲉ ⲉⲙⲁⲧⲉ ⲁϥⲃⲱⲕ ⲉⲡⲉϥⲏⲓ ⲁϥⲛ ϫⲟⲩⲱⲧ ⲛϩⲟⲗⲟⲕⲟⲧⲧⲓⲛⲟⲥ
ⲁϥⲧⲁⲁⲩ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲙϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲁⲡⲟⲓⲕⲟⲛⲟⲙⲟⲥ ⲕⲁⲁⲩ ⲉⲡϣⲕⲁ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲉⲧⲉⲡⲣⲟⲥⲫⲟⲣⲁ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ ⲇⲉ ϩⲱⲱϥ ⲁϥⲧⲁⲩⲟ
ⲙⲡⲉⲡⲣⲁⲅⲙⲁⲧⲉⲩⲧⲏⲥ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲁⲕⲙⲁⲧⲉⲩⲧⲏⲥ ⲇⲉ ⲁϥϯ ⲡⲕⲉⲧⲁⲓⲟⲩ ⲛϩⲟⲗⲟⲕⲟⲧⲧⲓⲛⲟⲥ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲉⲡⲧⲟⲡⲟⲥ ⲙⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲡⲣⲱⲙⲉ
ⲇⲉ ϩⲱⲱϥ ⲛⲧⲁϥⲱⲣⲕ ⲛⲛⲟⲩϫ ⲁϥϣⲁⲃⲉ ⲧⲏⲣϥ ⲁϥⲙⲟⲩ ⲙⲡⲁⲧⲉ ⲡⲣⲏ ϩⲱⲧⲡ ⲁⲩϥⲓⲧϥ ⲁⲩⲧⲟⲙⲥϥ

‘At the end of all this, the businessman said to him: “If I have not given them (the 50 gold coins) to you, come with me to the shrine (topos) of saint Kollouthos. Swear to me that I have not given you anything and that you have not taken the contract which was in my house. I am not bound with you.” But the devil had completely filled the man. He [the scribe] said to him [the businessman]: “Move along and I swear for you.” They went into the shrine of saint Kollouthos. The businessman implored the man: “My brotherly Lord, take 25 gold coins for yourself and give 25 to me. I relieve you from the interest, only do not swear by the power of the martyr!” The man said to him: “I swear to you. You are truly, beside yourself!” Immediately, he went to the altar and swore, saying: “By the powers of the martyr and the sufferings which he has borne and by the miracles which he has revealed, you have not given me any money, nor did I bring a contract to your house.” At once, before even the word left his mouth, he fell to the ground and was like dead. He cried out saying: “I have sinned. One is the God of saint Kollouthos. Behold, the 50 gold coins are in my house. They are those of that man. I have stolen the contract.” When the businessman saw what had happened, he was very afraid. He went to his house and brought 20 gold coins. He donated them to the shrine (topos) of saint Kollouthos. The steward (oikonomos) assigned them for offering expenditures. The man, on his part, sent (someone) to his house and he brought the 50 gold coins. He gave them to the businessman. But the businessman also donated the 50 gold coins to the shrine of saint Kollouthos. The man who had sworn falsely swelled up entirely. He died, before the sun had set. He was taken away and buried.’

§ 109: The congregation is addressed again and urged not to lie or swear a false oath, having just heard how destructive divine punishment can be. It is stated that this is only a fraction of the miracles the saint has performed and the following communion is announced.


Closing prayers

§ 110: Doxology for the saint whom the bishop invokes as follows:

ϯⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟⲕ ⲱ ⲡϩⲁⲅⲓⲟⲥ ⲕⲟⲗⲟⲩⲑⲟⲥ ⲁⲛⲟⲕ ⲡⲉ ⲓⲥⲁⲁⲕ ⲡⲉⲓⲣⲉϥⲛⲟⲃⲉ ⲕⲱ ⲛⲁⲓ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ϣⲱⲡ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ ⲙⲡⲁⲕⲟⲩⲓ ⲛⲇⲱⲣⲟⲛ ⲉⲧϭⲟϫⲃ
ⲛⲧⲁⲓⲉⲩⲡⲱⲣⲉⲓ ⲙⲙⲟϥ ϩⲙ ⲡⲉⲕϣⲁ ⲉⲧⲟⲩⲁⲁⲃ ⲙⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲱ ⲡⲉⲡⲣⲉⲥⲃⲩⲧⲉⲣⲟⲥ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲓⲏⲩ ⲙⲛ ϭⲟⲙ ⲙⲙⲟⲓ ⲉⲧⲁⲓⲟⲕ ⲕⲁⲧⲁ ⲡⲉⲕⲙⲡϣⲁ ⲱ
ⲡⲁⲅⲟⲛⲓⲥⲧⲏⲥ ϩⲛ ⲟⲩⲙⲉ ⲱ ⲡⲥⲁⲉⲓⲛ ⲉⲧⲧⲁⲗϭⲟ ⲛⲛⲉⲧϣⲱⲛⲉ ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲱ ⲡⲃⲁⲓⲕⲗⲟⲙ ⲙⲡⲉⲭⲥ ⲱ ⲡⲉϣⲱⲧ ⲛⲧⲙⲛⲧⲉⲣⲟ
ⲛⲛⲉⲙⲡⲏⲩⲉ ⲁⲙⲟⲩ ϣⲁⲣⲟⲛ ⲙⲡⲟⲟⲩ ⲱ ⲡⲓⲥⲣⲁⲉⲗⲓⲧⲏⲥ ⲉⲧⲉ ⲙⲛ ⲕⲣⲟϥ ⲛϩⲏⲧϥ ⲥⲙⲟⲩ ⲉⲛⲉⲕϣⲏⲣⲉ ⲉⲧⲥⲟⲟⲩϩ ⲉⲣⲟⲕ ⲡⲁⲣⲁⲕⲁⲗⲉⲓ ⲙⲡⲉⲭⲥ
ⲉϩⲣⲁⲓ ⲉϫⲱⲛ ⲛϥⲕⲱ ⲛⲁⲛ ⲉⲃⲟⲗ ⲛⲛⲉⲛⲛⲟⲃⲉ

‘I invoke you, saint Kollouthos. I am Isaak, this sinner, forgive me! Accept my small humble present, which I have provided during your holy feast today. Precious presbyter, I am unable to honour you in accordance with your worthiness. True competitor, physician who heals the inflicted, come to us today! Crown-bearer of Christ, merchant for the kingdom of heaven, come to us today! Guileless Israelite, bless your children gathered for you! Invoke Christ on our behalf, and he forgives us our sins!’

§ 111: Closing prayer.


Text and translation: S. E. Thompson, modified.
Summary: G. Schenke.

Service for the saint
Eucharist associated with cult
Liturgical invocation
Sermon/homily

Saint’s feast

Burial site of a saint - tomb/grave
Cult building - independent (church)
Altar
Martyr shrine (martyrion, bet sāhedwātā, etc.)

Verbal images of saints

Oath
Prayer/supplication/invocation
Bequests, donations, gifts and offerings
Distribution of alms
Incubation
Composing and translating saint-related texts
Transmission, copying and reading saint-related texts

Miracle during lifetime
Miracle after death
Miracles experienced by the saint
Punishing miracle
Healing diseases and disabilities
Healing diseases and disabilities
Apparition, vision, dream, revelation
Miraculous sound, smell, light
Juridical interventions
Miraculous protection - of people and their property

Women
Ecclesiastics - lesser clergy
Ecclesiastics - bishops
Unbaptized Christians
Other lay individuals/ people
Crowds

Oil lamps/candles

Source

Discussion

Bibliography