Question

6. What is the Codex Sinaiticus, and why is it significant? Why do you think the Soviet Rusians sold it to the British?

Answer 1

Codex Sinaiticus is a handwritten Christian Bible, which was written in the 4^th century. Almost the complete New Testament is found in those manuscripts. It’s really important piece of document and the oldest handwritten document which is preserved well.

It was preserved in the Russian National Library and Soviet Union sold it to the then British Library and now the British museum for 100, 000 pounds in 1933. After it was brought to Britain, archaeologists used ultra-violet lamp to study the hidden and faded texts. British Museum holds most part of the manuscript leaves while Saint Catherine Monastery, Leipzig University Library and Russian National library also preserve few in their custody.

The manuscript has got global importance that different organizations from different countries have joined hands together to bring the manuscript in digital format and the project was named as The Codex Sinaiticus project and it has successfully completed the project and made it available online too.