E04178: Coptic ostracon from western Thebes (Upper Egypt) with a letter mentioning *Thekla (presumably the virgin and martyr of Assiut, S00777, if not the follower of the Apostle Paul , S00092); datable to the early 7th century.

O.Frange 785:

The beginning of this letter is lost. It was most likely written by the monk Mark who addresses Psate. The message concerns the saint Thekla, though seemingly not her feast, but rather the production or copying of a hagiographical text relating to her.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
1
[ -ca.?- ]  ̣  ̣  ̣  ̣
[  ̣  ̣  ̣] ⲯⲁⲧⲉ ∶ ⲉⲧⲃⲉ
ⲑ̣ⲁⲅⲓⲁ ⲇⲉ ⲑⲉⲕⲗⲁ ⲁⲣⲓ
ⲧⲉⲕⲥⲡⲟⲩⲧⲏ ⲧⲏⲣⲥ
ⲥⲙⲛ ⲡⲉⲕϩⲏⲧ ⲉ-
ϩⲟⲩⲛ \ⲉⲣⲟⲥ/ ⲛ<ⲅ>ⲧ̣ⲟ̣ⲕ ⲛⲧⲉ-
ⲕϭⲓϫ ϣⲁⲛϯ-
ⲉⲓ ⲉϩⲟⲩⲛ ⲟⲩ-
ϫⲁ ϩⲛ ⲧϭ-
10
ⲟⲙ ⲛⲧⲉ-
ⲧⲣⲓⲁⲥ
ⲉⲧⲟⲩ-
ⲁⲁⲃ

‘…] … [… writing to my brother] Psate. Concerning saint Thekla, focus all your attention, set your heart onto her, and strengthen your hand, until I arrive. Farewell in the power of the Holy Trinity.’


(Text: A. Boud'hors and Ch. Heurtel; trans.: G. Schenke)

A complete record of the text is available at:

http://papyri.info/ddbdp/o.frange;;785