AROUND THE YEAR 1355
CATALOGUE OF THE BOOKS OF THE MONASTERY OF THE ISLAND OF PATMOS
XIV CENTURY (Mai, Biblioth. nov. PP., vol. VI. — This Catalogue was compiled during the reign of John Palaeologus, who flourished in the year 1355; nor does a more recent book occur.)NOTICE. In the Vatican codex 1205, I observed a list of the principal codices that were found in a certain monastery on the island of Patmos; I believe that knowledge of them will be welcome to scholars. And indeed, I have at hand a portion of the unpublished works praised in this list. But I am especially surprised by the complete commentary of St. Basil on Job in the codex. For the Junian catena indeed exhibits fragments of St. Basil on Job: but we seek the work itself with great desire.
INDEX OF THE MORE WORTHY BOOKS FOUND IN THE VENERABLE MONASTERY ON THE ISLAND OF PATMOS
1. The Pentateuch of Moses, with the interpretation of various [authors]. 2. On the Octateuch, and on Kings, and on Chronicles, the *Aporiae* and solutions of Theodoret, and on the twelve prophets, the interpretation of the same. 3. Of Basil, Metropolitan of New Patras, an interpretation on the sixteen prophets. The interpretation begins thus: "The transcendent and self-sufficient God..." 4. By Leo Magister and Anthypatos, an epitome of interpretation, as in *aporiae*, on Genesis and the following books, the beginning of which is: "He does not place theology first." Likewise, also on Matthew and the following Gospels, and on the Catholic Epistles, and on the Acts, very concisely in *aporiae*, from Chrysostom and others. 5. Of Bishop Theodoret on the difficult questions of the divine Scripture in the Old Testament, and ten discourses on Providence. 6. On the Psalter, from "Attend, O my people," to the end, an interpretation by various authors. 7. On Job, an interpretation by Basil, Chrysostom, Theodoret, and others; until "And now the Lord spoke, saying, in three years of a hireling." 8. On the same, an interpretation by Basil alone. 9. On the Wisdom of Solomon, an interpretation by the Emperor Matthew Cantacuzenus. 10. An epitome of interpretation on Exodus from various Fathers, in *aporiae*, the beginning of which is, "How must it be understood." 11. On the Psalter, an interpretation by various authors, until "Attend, O my people." 12. Of Chrysostom on the Psalter, until "Attend." 13. On the Gospel according to Matthew and according to John, an interpretation by Chrysostom. 14. On the Gospel according to Matthew, an interpretation by various authors, both heretical and orthodox; the beginning is: "Not more numerous..."
in number. And on the Gospel according to Mark, an interpretation A in 43 chapters, the beginning of which is: "Man from the soul..." of a certain Victor, a priest of Antioch; it begins thus: "Of many concerning the Gospel according to Matthew." And on the Gospel according to Luke, an interpretation by Titus, Bishop of Bostra, the beginning of which is: "It should be known that the Gospel according to Luke..."
15. On the four Gospels, a summary interpretation, the interpreter of which is anonymous; it has the following beginning: "The Gospel, or book, is called..."
16. By Macarius of Philadelphia, the Chrysocephalus, on the Gospel according to Matthew, from the passage: B "When Jesus had entered into Capernaum," the beginning of which is: "This is the second book."
17. A summary interpretation from the passage: "Give ear, O my people," on the Psalter; this also is anonymous.
18. On the Epistles (of Paul), an interpretation, without beginning or end; the interpretation has [a section] on the passage: "We who are strong ought to bear the infirmities..." after a prayer, he again exhorts and [speaks] of being appeased.
19. By Chrysostom on the same [Paul’s] Epistles, and on the Acts.
20. By John of Damascus on the Epistles (of Paul), an interpretation.
21. Various discourses of Athanasius of Alexandria against Arius and Apollinarius; the first of which begins somewhat like this: "Those who craftily [handle] the divine Scriptures."
22. Epistles of Chrysostom to Olympias.
23. On the creation of man, and an interpretation on the Beatitudes, and on the "Our Father," by Gregory of Nyssa. C
24. Epistles of Gregory the Theologian, 270 in number, the beginning of which is: "If in autumn."
25. Epistles of Isidore of Pelusium, about 500, beginning from the 600s up to the 500s.
26. Epistles of Nicholas, Archbishop of Constantinople, the beginning of which is: "Every earthly authority."
27. Epistles of certain monks, the beginning of which is: "Epistle of a certain Michael, a monk and deacon," the beginning of which is: "I know, father."
28. Dogmatic Panoply of the Emperor Alexius Comnenus, collected from the divine Scripture and certain teachers, the beginning of which is: "And all the achievements..."
29. Various philosophical and other theological discourses by the lord John Scylitzes, who was in charge of the Canicleus, the beginning of which is: "On the world and its nature." And some of his epistles.
30. By Nemesius, Bishop, On the Nature of Man, [and] the mockery of pagan philosophers by Hermias the philosopher. And the Symposium of the holy hieromartyr Methodius of Patara on chastity. And interpretations of various Scriptures, the beginning of which is: "Most opportunely he arrived."
31. A book by John, deacon of the Great Church, the beginning of which is: "That God, for the sake of goodness alone." It is divided into three books; in the first, he discusses what the purpose of God was in the first creation of man, and [his purpose] through the Son of God, by means of various testimonies; in the second, concerning the second Adam, Christ, and the life and conduct according to Him; and in the third, concerning the modes of expression used regarding Christ.
32. On the ten questions regarding Providence, a work of Isaac the Sebastokrator, the beginning of which is: "If Providence belongs to all."
33. Responses of the holy Anastasius to certain questions brought to him, the beginning of which is missing.
34. Theological inquiries brought by various people to Caesarius, the brother of Gregory the Theologian, the beginning of which is: "Those who the great and wide..." They contain various theological topics in 221 questions and answers.
35. A discourse on catechesis by Gregory of Nyssa, the beginning of which is: "The discourse of catechesis." And against Eunomius in chapters, the beginning of which is: "It was not as it seems."
36. Interpretation by Nicetas of Serres on the discourses of Gregory [the Theologian] read in Church.
37. By the same, an interpretation on the four Gospels.
38. The Six Days (Hexaemeron) by Chrysostom, and many other various discourses, concerning Fate and Providence. D
39. The Six Days (Hexaemeron) by Basil, and other discourses, and an interpretation on some Psalms.
40. An interpretation on the Apocalypse of the Theologian; the interpreter is anonymous; it is written at the beginning of the interpretation that some say this interpretation is by Gregory of Nyssa, others by Andrew, Archbishop of Caesarea in Cappadocia.
41. By Dionysius On the Celestial Hierarchy, the beginning of which is: "Every good gift."
42. Theological discourses of Symeon the New Theologian, the beginning of which is: "To speak about God." And his hymns in various verses.
43. A collection of questions and solutions gathered in summary from the evangelical harmony of the blessed Hesychius, priest of Jerusalem, in chapters, the beginning of which is: "By what reason having begun..."