Sinaiticus

Codex Sinaiticus, commonly called Sinaiticus, is a 4th-century Greek manuscript of the Christian Bible and one of the most important textual witnesses to the Greek Old and New Testaments. The codex contains a complete New Testament and a substantial portion of the Septuagint, and it is notable for its age, scope, and the quality of its manuscript production. It is broadly regarded as a product of a Christian scribal milieu in the eastern Mediterranean, dating to around 330–360 CE.

Discovery and custody: In 1844 Constantin von Tischendorf found leaves of the codex at Saint Catherine’s Monastery on the Sinai Peninsula. He secured a substantial portion of the manuscript and published an edition; a later discovery and ongoing scholarship led to the dispersal of the surviving material to several institutions. Today the codex is distributed among multiple libraries: the British Library in London holds the largest portion, including the complete New Testament; other significant portions are kept by the National Library of Russia in Saint Petersburg and the University of Leipzig Library in Germany, with additional leaves still associated with Saint Catherine’s Monastery.

Significance: Sinaiticus is a foundational source for the textual history of the Greek Bible and has influenced critical editions of the New Testament and the Septuagint. It provides important evidence about early Christian scribal practices, canon formation, and textual variation across books.

Digital access: Much of the manuscript has been digitized and is accessible online, with a scholarly transcription and images available through the Codex Sinaiticus Project.