E04409: Coptic fragment of a hortatory sermon from Bala’izah (Upper Egypt), claiming that the death of the saints (S00518) is a precious incident; the text also suggests resting at their (burial) ‘place’ to commemorate them; datable to the 6th century.

P.Bal. 50<br><br>A papyrus leaf written in two columns preserves parts of a sermon arguing that the death of evil men is indeed a reason for grief, since they will be judged. Whereas the death of righteous men is a blessing, as they shall escape the wrath of God. The text then goes on to quote a statement, saying: ‘The death of the saints for the Lord is honoured by his presence,’ and seems to suggest resting at the saints’ (burial) place to commemorate them. <br><br>Col. II, lines 20–26 reads as follows:<br><br>ⲑⲉ ⲉⲧⲥⲏϩ ϫⲉ ⲡⲙⲟⲩ ⲛⲛⲉⲧⲟ[ⲩ]ⲁⲁ̣ⲃ ⲙⲡϫⲟⲉⲓ[ⲥ] ⲧⲁⲏⲩ ⲙⲡⲉϥⲙⲧⲟ [ⲉ]ⲃⲟⲗ ϩⲱ[ⲥ]ⲧ̣ⲉ̣ ⲛⲁⲥ̣ⲛⲏⲩ ϣⲁ ⲡⲉⲩⲙ̣ⲁ : ⲙⲁⲣⲉⲛⲙⲧⲟⲛ ⲙⲙⲟⲛ · <br>ϩⲛ ⲡⲉⲩⲙⲧⲟⲛ · ⲟⲩⲥ̣ⲟⲉⲓⲧ ⲅⲁⲣ ⲉⲛⲁⲛⲟⲩϥ ⲡⲉ ⲡⲣⲡⲙⲉⲉ[ⲩⲉ] ⲙⲡ[ⲇⲓ]ⲕⲁⲓⲟⲥ ·<br> <br>‘…] as it is written: “The death of the saints for the Lord is honoured by his presence.” So that, my brethren, at their (burial) place let us rest ourselves by their rest, for a good account is the commemoration of the righteous.’ <br><br><br>(Text and trans.: P. E. Kahle, modified)<br><br>