This text included excerpts of the sayings of Saint John Chrysostom, translated from Greek to Arabic, and thirty-four spiritual essays. The manuscript was composed by Butrus Girgis, and it was handwritten by Yusuf Hanna in 1843. It includes decca, a typical form of Coptic Orthodox illustration. Saint John Chrysostom, the author, served as the patriarch of Constantinople, a position forced upon him in 389 C.E. Born in Antioch circa 347 C.E., he devoted several years to monastic life, spending part of this time as a hermit. Chrysostom means "golden-mouthed."
This manuscript includes books of the Old Testament with notes and commentary about their interpretation according to the Coptic Orthodox faith. Chapters from the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, First Kings, and Second Kings are included.
This manuscript features three books of the Torah or the Pentateuch, including Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. The book is described as the property of Fahim Moftah.
"This manuscript is Iryan Moftah's manual for teaching Coptic grammar in the newly introduced Bohairic dialect. Moftah introduces rules of modern Greek pronunciation to the antiquated style of the traditional Coptic Orthodox Church."
"This manuscript is Iryan Moftah's teachings on the principles of the Coptic langauge in the Bohairic dialect. Iryan Moftah was a Coptic langauge specialist (1626 - 1886). He was appointed to teach Coptic in the newly established College founded by the father of Coptic reformCyril IV (1854 - 1860)who aimed at modernizing the Coptic Orthodox Church. Moftah is known to have written manuals and grammar books for teaching the Coptic langauge in the reformed modern style. This probably occurred under the influence of the ecumenical spirit of his superiorCyril IVwho aimed at bringing the Greek and Coptic churches closer."
This manuscript is an epiclesis to the Virgin Mary. This invocation of Saint Mary and the Holy Spirit at the consecration of the elements is a common practice in the Coptic Orthodox Church.