Liturgical Poetry in Christian Nubia: The Evidence of the Wall Inscriptions in the Lower Church at Banganarti

This book provides an editio princeps of the 29 Greek inscriptions

discovered on inner walls of the Lower Church in Banganarti (modern

Sudan). They were executed between the middle of seventh and turn of

tenth-eleventh century and form a fascinating and diverse group, which

allows a closer look at many aspects of the history and culture of

Christian Nubia. They include texts containing single proper names, as

well as longer texts supplying information on historical events and

throwing light on the spiritual and ritual life of the Christian community

in Nubia. The most remarkable group of texts was placed in one room

located exactly opposite to the apse. The inscriptions found there form a

homogeneous group with all texts comprising liturgical hymns. Among the

texts, one can distinguish a liturgical canon and structural hymn for the

begging of Lent, another canon for Lazarus Saturday, a series of short

troparia connected with the Palm Sunday procession and a list of hymns and

psalms incipits. Those texts significantly enlarge the modest collection

of liturgica known from Christian Nubia; therefore their analysis

in a broader context is an essential part of this book.