Christian Letter
Concluding part of a letter in which the writer urges the addressees to return to their homes.
One text, 3 sources · Trismegistos-Text 33391
Christian letter urging the addressees to return home TM 33391Kasr el BanâtFourth century
The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 3 records across 3 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →
The closing part of a 4th-century Christian letter from Euhemeria in the Fayum. The writer reassures the addressees of his support and urges them to return home voluntarily before someone forces them back, saying it is better to be in their own homes than abroad.
In English machine translation
[recto]
[… lines lost …]
[…] knowing that you have me (to support you) in whatever you may suffer, God helping. Therefore, fearing no one, rather come back of your own accord before someone carries you off, and then there will no longer be any favour for you. It is better for you to be in your own homes, whatever may happen, than abroad.
I pray for your health for many years […]
[verso]
Akiok[…]
[…]
The addressees seem to have fled their home village, perhaps to escape tax or liturgical obligations (anachoresis); the writer warns they may be brought back by force. The phrase 'God helping' is the main sign of the letter's Christian character.
Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Christian Letter). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.
p.fay.136
[r] [… ? lines lost …] χ[…]εἰδότες ὅτι ἔχετέ με εἰς ὅσʼ ἂν πάσχητε, θεοῦ βοηθοῦντος. ὅθεν μηδένα εὐλαβούμενοι μᾶλλον ἀπαντήσατε ἀπʼ ἑαυτῶν πρὸ τοῦ τις ὑμᾶς ἐνέγκῃ, καὶ οὐκ ἔστιν οὐκέτι ἐν ὑμῖν χάρις. ἄμεινον ὑμᾶς ἐν τοῖς ἰδίοις οἷς ἐὰν τύχοι εἶναι ἢ ἐπὶ ξένης. ἐρρῶσθαι ὑμᾶς εὔχομ…