The Demonstrations of Aphrahat

In addition, we have added an index of names and matters, as well as a special index of the Sacred Books, where there was need.

In order that an order may be found among these various works which will be contained in the Patrologia Syriaca, we will maintain a chronological series; yet in such a way that we distinguish several parts which will look more to the number of volumes than to separating various eras in Syriac literature. These parts are distinguished by various numbers and contain a new series of volumes which are most easily designated by two numbers, of which the first is Roman, as they say, signifying the series, and the second Arabic indicates the number of the volume itself in any given series.

In the first volume of any part, you will find a brief notice that will indicate to you whatever is contained therein.

In this first part, you will have first of all the 23 Demonstrations of Aphrahat, which the Reverend Father Parisot, a presbyter and monk of the Benedictine Congregation of France, has translated into Latin, provided with vowel signs, illustrated with notes, and also prefaced; it is an honor and a pride for us that we have taught him the elements of the Syriac language. Next, you will find what survives of the writings of Saint Simeon Bar Sabbae and also Bardesanes, and finally, we will bring this first part to an end by adding all the apocrypha of the Old and New Testaments as well as translations made from Greek which pertain to these times.

In editing these Syriac texts, we have chosen the very form of the volumes and texts and the arrangement of the translation in two columns, which the Abbé Migne already used in his Patrologia Graeca¹. For everyone knows how easily they can be handled by all. We have spared neither time nor any expense so that nothing would be lacking in those things which pertain either to the correction of the texts or even to the beauty of their printing, and we have not refused to recast new type. Since all who have studied Syriac matters know the type which Assemani used in his Bibliotheca Orientalis², we have deemed it best to choose those same Western Syriac types, although the types that are called Estrangelo or those used by the Orientals or Chaldeans are by no means to be despised. Furthermore, although most manuscripts are devoid of vowels, we have decided that all these texts should be edited with vowels...