On Pascha

The Quartodecimans were early Christians who kept a single feast of Pascha on the Passover, maintaining the tradition derived from Judaism. In this work, Alistair Stewart-Sykes, the leading authority on Melito and the Quartodecimans, presents a unique collection of material in a format ideal for classroom use as well as the general reader.At the head of this collection stands a new translation of On Pascha by Melito of Sardis, a liturgical work deriving from Quartodeciman circles in Asia. Alongside this is an extensive introduction and annotation pointing out not only the parallels to Jewish practice, but also offering an analysis of the work in terms of classical rhetoric. In addition, the translator has included a selection of Melito's fragments, testimonia to Melito and other material vital for understanding the Quartodeciman liturgies from Rome, Syria and Asia. All texts are translated, described and discussed.