Two very large fragments from leaves of a monumental Gelasian Sacramentary late C10th. / early C11th Italy (?)

Each fragment 277mm x 200mm., both double column, 22 and 18 lines in fine Carolingian hand, simple red initials, second half of the tenth century or early eleventh.

The text begins with the 3rd Sunday of Pentecost on the dangers of worldly things:

Protector in te sperantium, Deus, sine quo nihil est validum, nihil sanctum: multiplica super nos misericordiam tuam; ut, te rectore, te duce, sic transeamus per bona temporalia, ut non amittamus aeterna

[translation] Protector of those who hope in you, God, without whom nothing is strong, nothing holy: multiply your mercy upon us; so that, with you as guide and guide, we may pass through temporal goods so that we do not lose eternal ones.

This first part of the prayer is a common introductory phrase in ancient Roman Christian prayers. The text continues:

Respice, Domine, munera supplicantis Ecclesiae : et saluti credentium perpetua sanctificatione sumenda concede. Per Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium Tuum, qui Tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Dei, per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.

[translation] Look upon the offerings of Your suppliant Church, we beseech You, o Lord, and grant that, by Your continual sanctification, that they may conduce to the salvation of those who partake of them with faith. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, forever and ever. Amen.

 

[1 Peter 3: 10-15] verse numbers added by us:

10 qui enim vult vitam diligere et videre dies bonos coerceat linguam suam a malo et labia eius ne loquantur dolum

11 declinet autem a malo et faciat bonum inquirat pacem et persequatur eam

12 quia oculi Domini super iustos et aures eius in preces eorum vultus autem Domini super facientes mala

13 et quis est qui vobis noceat si boni aemulatores fueritis

14 sed et si quid patimini propter iustitiam beati timorem autem eorum ne timueritis et non conturbemini

15 Dominum autem Christum sanctificate in cordibus vestris parat

 

English :

10 For he who wishes to love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit.

11 But let him turn away from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it

12 because the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous and his ears are upon their prayers, but the face of the Lord is upon those who do evil

13 And who is there that can harm you if you are good rivals?

14 But if you suffer anything for the sake of the righteousness of the blessed, do not be afraid of them and do not be disturbed

15 And sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts