Greek Monks Who Believed the Letter to Theodore was at Mar Saba Before Morton Smith's Arrival

The controversy surrounding the Letter to Theodore and its purported discovery by Morton Smith in 1958 at the Mar Saba monastery has intrigued scholars for decades. Central to this debate is the claim that some Greek monks believed the letter was part of the Mar Saba library well before Smith's arrival. Let's explore the evidence and testimonies that contribute to this complex narrative.

The Discovery of the Letter

Morton Smith claimed to have found the Letter to Theodore, attributed to Clement of Alexandria, in 1958. This letter, discussing a secret gospel of Mark, was allegedly located in the back of a 17th-century book containing the letters of Ignatius. The authenticity and provenance of the letter have been hotly debated ever since.

Testimonies from Greek Monks

Father Kallistos Dourvas

Father Kallistos Dourvas, who served as the librarian of the Greek Patriarchate of Jerusalem from the 1970s to 2010, is a key figure in this discussion. According to accounts, Kallistos believed the manuscript and the book containing it were part of the Mar Saba library long before Morton Smith's discovery. He supervised the transport of the document to the Greek Patriarchate in 1976 and asserted that the handwriting resembled 18th-century scripts found in other Mar Saba manuscripts.

Father Seraphim

Father Seraphim, who joined the Lavra of Saint Sabbas in 1939, was present at Mar Saba during the time of Smith's discovery and much earlier. His familiarity with the monastery’s collection lends weight to the argument that the letter might have been known to the monks before Smith found it. Seraphim was reportedly involved in disputes over the manuscript's ownership, reinforcing the belief that it was an established part of the library's holdings.

The Dispute and Historical Context

The 1715 Edition of Clement’s Works

The debate includes discussions on why the letter was not included in the 1715 edition of Clement's works, which was present at Mar Saba. Skeptics argue that if the letter were authentic and known, it should have been cataloged alongside other Clementine writings. However, proponents of the letter's authenticity suggest that it might have been overlooked or considered a separate, less formal document.

Quesnell’s Notes and Eyewitness Accounts

Quentin Quesnell’s diary notes provide significant insight. They record conversations with Kallistos and other monks who believed in the letter's pre-Smith provenance. These notes, along with testimonies from people like David Flusser, indicate that there was genuine belief among some clergy that the letter had been part of Mar Saba’s collection for a long time.

The Implications of Modern Handwriting Analysis

Agamemnon Tselikas's Analysis

Agamemnon Tselikas, a handwriting expert, suggested that the handwriting of the letter could be a modern imitation of 18th-century script. This analysis challenges the narrative that the letter was an ancient document rediscovered by Smith, positing instead that it could be a later addition designed to appear old.

Conclusion

The belief among certain Greek monks that the Letter to Theodore was at Mar Saba before Morton Smith's arrival in 1958 is supported by testimonies and historical context. Figures like Father Kallistos and Father Seraphim, who had extensive knowledge of the monastery’s collection, contributed to this belief. While modern handwriting analysis raises questions about the letter's authenticity, the monks’ convictions and the disputes over the manuscript's ownership add layers to this enduring scholarly debate.