The Epistolary Apocrypha

The Epistolary Apocrypha refers to a collection of early Christian writings that include letters, epistles, and other literary works attributed to Christian patriarchs, apostolic figures, disciples, or early Christian leaders. These texts provide insights into the beliefs, practices, and challenges faced by the early Christian communities during the first few centuries of the Christian era. Unlike our other apocryphal collections, the Epistolary Apocrypha was exclusively written in the New Testament and early church era (1st - 2nd centuries CE). Some books are considered canonical in some Oriental Orthodox denominations.

Authors of these books detail the significant persecution of the early church under the Roman Empire. These texts have been used to historically confirm facts about early Roman persecution of Christianity. The books in the Epistolary Apocrypha were written originally in Koine Greek.

The collection used at Theos includes the following books: Didache, the Revelations of Peter, the Letter of Barnabas, 3 Corinthians, 1st and 2nd Clement, the Letters of Ignatius, the Letter of Polycarp, the Martyrdom of Polycarp, the Letter to Diognetus, the Shepherd of Hermas, the Odes of Peace, and the Apologetic of Aristides. Gnostic works and gospels are not included, as they are not accepted as canonical by any mainstream Christian denomination, and are not included in any modern Bibles.