At the Crossroads of Cultures: A Note on the «Pseudo-Clementine Octateuch» Project Within the Tradition of Christian Egypt

Abstract

This review offers a brief overview of an international research project dedicated to the «Pseudo-Clementine Octateuch» in the Arabic and Coptic traditions. The introductory section discusses the pseudepigraphic nature of the text, its canonical composition, and its place within the Eastern Christian tradition. Special attention is given to the Coptic versions — Sahidic and Bohairic — presented as independent stages in the history of the translation and adaptation of Greek canonical material into the cultural context of Christian Egypt. The main goals and directions of the project are outlined, including the preparation of a critical edition, a comparative analysis of the Coptic and Arabic texts, and the development of a digital synoptic platform. The methodological approaches and the composition of the international research team carrying out the project at the University of Fribourg (Switzerland) are also described.