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One text, 2 sources · Trismegistos-Text 33563

Letter from Horion to his spiritual father Nepheros TM 33563Alexandria (?)IV

The same ancient text or artifact as recorded by 2 records across 2 independent projects, recognised as one entity by its TM-Text identifier. View on Trismegistos →

A Christian private letter of the 4th century AD from Horion to Nepheros, whom he addresses as his spiritual father. Horion credits Nepheros's prayers for his good health, hopes to return home, offers to do whatever Nepheros needs while he is away (probably at Alexandria), and sends greetings to family members.

In English machine translation

[recto] To my master father Nepheros, Horion, greetings in the Lord God. Before all else I pray to God Almighty for your complete well-being, that this letter of mine may be delivered to you in good health and good spirits. I know, then, my master father, that after our master God your prayers have brought me through in good health, and again I trust in our master God that through your prayers we shall at last be restored to our homes. For I know that as long as you keep me in remembrance in your prayers, our master God does not forsake me. And while we are here, do not hesitate to write to me about whatever you need, for I am glad if you command me in whatever you wish; for after God I have you as helper and father. I greet my lord brother Ophellios and my mother Tinor and our sister Pina […] [verso] To my master father Nepheros, Horion.

Nepheros was a priest and monk of the Hathor monastery near Herakleopolis; 'father' here is a spiritual rather than biological title. The end of the letter is lost.

Working translation of the DDbDP edition, made with Claude Opus 5.5 from the edition and the catalogue records shown below (catalogued as Horion an Nepheros). It has not been reviewed by a papyrologist: check the edition before citing. Restorations follow the edition; […] marks lost text and (?) an uncertain reading.

DDbDP-text Full record →

p.neph.10

Papyri.info — DDbDP (Duke Databank of Documentary Papyri) — text · IV · Alexandria (?)

[r] τῷ δεσπότῃ μου πατρὶ Νεφερῶτι Ὡρίων ἐν κυρίῳ θεῷ χαίρειν. προηγουμένως εὔχομαι τῷ παντοκράτορι θεῷ περὶ τῆς ὁλοκληρίας σου ὅπως ὑγιαίνοντί σοι καὶ εὐθυμοῦντι ἀποδοθείη ταῦτά μου τὰ γράμματα. γιγνώσκω οὖν, δέσποτά μου πάτερ, ὅτι μετὰ τὸν δεσπότην θεὸν αἱ προσευχαί σου ὑγιαίνον…