APPROVAL

This section is the conclusion of a formal endorsement by Andreas Scandar.

...so that the storm of dogmas The writer is referring to the "tempest" of conflicting or heretical doctrines that might threaten the Church. might in no way disturb the Church of Christ: for indeed, some of those individuals existed, to whom that saying of Tully Marcus Tullius Cicero (106–43 BCE), often called "Tully" in older English texts, was the gold standard for Latin eloquence. might deservedly be cast: You are the storm of your Fatherland, the whirlwind and tempest of peace and leisure original: "Tu procella Patriæ, turbo, & tempestas pacis, & otii." This is a quote from Cicero's speech In Pisonem, used here to describe those who cause religious unrest.. My judgment, however, is that the translator has striven to represent the senses, not merely the words, and the mind, not just the voice, of his teacher [Saint Ephrem]. Indeed, since the very Father of Roman eloquence [Cicero] himself doubted that he could accomplish both in translating the Greek Orators, it would be a wonder if anyone anywhere should claim that for himself in translating a Syriac writer. For while Ephrem is most eloquent in his own tongue, the Syriac language deviates much further from the style of Latin elocution than any Greek Orator or Poet. Therefore, what I looked upon with respect in this version while reading, I believe anyone else will admire: first, the sincerity In this context, "sincerity" refers to the accuracy or faithfulness of the translation to the original source. of the translation joined with the purity of the Latin language; and secondly, the sharp insight of the Translator in grasping his Author’s meanings, and his equal clarity in explaining them. Wherefore I safely pronounce that this work, distinguished on so many counts, is most worthy of the public light Meaning it is ready for publication and distribution..

Given at Rome on the ninth of November original: "quinto Idus Novembris," the fifth day before the Ides of November., in the year of restored salvation 1736.

Andreas Scandar of Cyprus, a Syrian Maronite, Apostolic Protonotary A high-ranking official of the papal curia. in the Roman Arch-Gymnasium The Sapienza University of Rome. Public Professor of Arabic letters, and Interpreter of Oriental Languages for the Holy See and the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith.

IT MAY BE PRINTED,

If it seems fit to the Most Reverend Father Master of the Sacred Apostolic Palace.

N. Bishop of Boiano, Vicegerent.

The Vicegerent was the deputy to the Cardinal Vicar of Rome, responsible for diocesan administration and censorship.

IT MAY BE PRINTED

Brother Giovanni Battista Zuanelli, Master of the Sacred Apostolic Palace, of the Order of Preachers. The Master of the Sacred Apostolic Palace was traditionally a Dominican friar (Order of Preachers) who served as the Pope's chief theologian and official book censor.