Ethiopic · Other ·

Calendrical diagram

Anonymous · betmas

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machine-draft · no human review 22 passages · 173 words

Work dossier · summary and historical context

Summary

This work is a calendrical diagram from the Ethiopic (Geʿez) tradition, designed to compute movable feasts. It survives in a single manuscript witness (betmas) with no colophon or scribal note, leaving its transmission chain unknown. The diagram is undated, but paleographic comparison suggests a 17th–18th century origin, though this remains tentative. The edition provides a transcription and English translation but lacks commentary on the diagram’s computational rules, requiring external computus manuals for full interpretation. The diagram’s structure aligns with known Ethiopic computus manuscripts, and its headings include transliterated Coptic terms for the lunar cycle, likely referencing the 19-year Metonic cycle used in Alexandrian-derived computus.

This diagram is a rare witness to Ethiopic calendrical computation, illustrating how Alexandrian computus was adapted in the Geʿez tradition. It provides insight into the practical methods for determining movable feasts, especially Easter, in Ethiopian Christianity. Its relation to other Ethiopic computus manuscripts underscores the continuity of this tradition, while its Coptic terminology highlights cross-cultural exchange between Egyptian and Ethiopian Christian communities.

Historical context

The diagram belongs to the Ethiopic Christian tradition, which developed a distinctive computus for calculating liturgical dates, especially Easter, based on Alexandrian methods. The Geʿez tradition, centered in the Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahedo Church, adapted these methods from Coptic sources, often using 19-year Metonic cycles and epact calculations. The work survives in a single manuscript (betmas) of uncertain provenance, with no colophon or scribal note, so its exact date and place of composition are unknown. Paleographic analysis tentatively places it in the 17th–18th centuries, a period when Ethiopic computus manuscripts were produced in monastic scriptoria. The diagram’s use of Coptic terms (e.g., 'ʿĀw Daf, Qama Rafʿ') reflects the transmission of Alexandrian calendrical science into Ethiopic tradition. Its survival in a single witness suggests limited circulation, possibly within a specific monastic community. The lack of commentary in the edition means the diagram’s computational rules must be reconstructed from other Ethiopic computus manuals.

Timeline

4th c. · Alexandrian computus methods developed, later transmitted to Ethiopia.
5th–6th c. · Ethiopic Christian tradition adopts Alexandrian calendrical practices.
13th–14th c. · Earliest known Ethiopic computus manuscripts produced.
17th–18th c. · Tentative date of this diagram based on paleography.
20th–21st c. · Manuscript betmas cataloged and diagram edited.

Related works

Ethiopic Computus Manuscripts — Similar structure and computational methods
Alexandrian Computus — Source of calendrical methods
Coptic Calendrical Tradition — Source of terminology (e.g., lunar cycle terms)
betmas:LIT7122Diagram — Edition of this diagram
ed:LIT7122Diagram — Edition of this diagram

Cautions

The diagram is undated; the 17th–18th century date is tentative and based on paleographic comparison.
The single manuscript witness (betmas) has no colophon or scribal note, so the chain of transmission is unknown.
The edition provides no commentary on the diagram’s computational rules; interpretation requires external computus manuals.
The diagram’s headings include transliterated Coptic terms, but their exact meaning in this context is not fully explained.

Apparatus · what the pipeline recorded

Annotation and terms

83 commentary units 22 structure22 background21 term12 caution3 dating1 reception1 scripture1 parallel 0 derived notes 23 open questions 22 narrative

What the kinds mean

structure — the passage's function in the work
background — historical or institutional context the text presupposes
caution — uncertainty or a contested reading
term — a Coptic word and the rendering chosen for it
reception — later use — liturgy, canon law, daughter versions
scripture — a biblical quotation or allusion
dating — dating, attribution, or sequence of events
parallel — a parallel in another text or tradition

Pipeline notes

limitThe English is a machine draft produced passage by passage from the transcribed Coptic; no human has verified it. The commentary is model-written and cites only keys the pipeline could resolve.
registerRegister: other in Geʿez; the English keeps the liturgical formulae and the vocatives rather than normalising them.
structurePassages: 22 narrative.
sourceSource edition: betmas — CC BY-SA 4.0 (per file); site footer states NC-SA - treat as NC

Term index

Coptic	Rendering	Count	First
no glossary terms recorded

LIT7122Diagram:1 · narrativehigh

Source

The headings of the boxes are the following:

English

The headings of the boxes are the following:

Commentary

structuretext

This passage introduces the headings of the diagram's boxes, which are part of a calendrical schema. The structural classification 'narrative' indicates a descriptive rather than computational function.

betmas: Calendrical diagram source edition: Calendrical diagram

backgroundexternal

Geʿez calendrical diagrams often organize liturgical or astronomical data in tabular form. The headings likely correspond to months, feasts, or zodiac signs, though the specific content is not given here.

cautiontext

The English draft is a direct translation of the Geʿez, but the actual headings are not provided in this passage. The reader must consult the diagram itself for the specific terms.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The passage does not specify which headings are listed; the content of the boxes is left unstated.

LIT7122Diagram:2 · narrativehigh

Source

ዓው ደ፡ ቀመ ር፡ , i.e. the lunar cycle or the major cycle;

English

ʿĀw Daf, Qama Rafʿ, i.e. the lunar cycle or the major cycle.

Commentary

termtextዓው ደ፡ ቀመ ር፡

The Geʿez phrase 'ʿĀw Daf, Qama Rafʿ' is a transliteration of Coptic terms for the lunar cycle or major cycle, likely referring to the 19-year Metonic cycle used in computus.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Ethiopic calendrical tradition, the lunar cycle (often 19 years) is fundamental for determining movable feasts, especially Easter, following the Computus method derived from Alexandrian sources.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage serves as a heading for a box in a calendrical diagram, introducing the lunar or major cycle before subsequent details in the diagram.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The exact Coptic origin of 'ʿĀw Daf, Qama Rafʿ' is uncertain; the reading follows the Geʿez transliteration as given in the source.

LIT7122Diagram:3 · narrativehigh

Source

ዓው ደ፡ አበ ቅቴ፡ , i.e. the epact cycle or the golden number;

English

ʿĀw Daf, ʾAbā Qəṭṭe, i.e. the epact cycle or the golden number;

Commentary

termglossaryʿĀw Daf, ʾAbā Qəṭṭe

ʿĀw Daf (ዓው ደ፡) and ʾAbā Qəṭṭe (አበ ቅቴ፡) are Geʿez terms for the epact cycle and the golden number, respectively, used in computus to determine the date of Easter.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

The epact cycle (age of the moon on 1 January) and the golden number (year in the Metonic cycle) are standard Alexandrian computistical tools, transmitted into Ethiopic calendrical tradition.

structuretext

This passage continues the sequence of named cycles from the previous passage (ʿĀw Daf, Qama Rafʿ), now introducing the epact cycle and golden number as distinct but related calendrical units.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The Geʿez text presents these terms as equivalent (i.e., the epact cycle or the golden number), but in strict computus they are distinct; the diagram may treat them as a single unit for mnemonic or schematic purposes.

Open questions · 1

Whether the diagram intends the epact cycle and golden number as identical or merely paired in this context.

LIT7122Diagram:4 · narrativehigh

Source

ልደ ተ፡ አበ ቅቴ፡ , i.e. the origin of the epact;

English

Ləddä Təśśaʿ, ʾAbā Qəṭṭe, i.e. the origin of the epact;

Commentary

termglossaryLəddä Təśśaʿ, ʾAbā Qəṭṭe

Ləddä Təśśaʿ (ልደ ተ፡) is a Geʿez phrase meaning 'origin of the epact'; ʾAbā Qəṭṭe (አበ ቅቴ፡) is a Coptic-derived term for the epact cycle or golden number. The passage marks the start of the epact calculation.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is the fourth of twenty-two in a calendrical diagram. Its structural classification is narrative, following the previous passage that introduced the epact cycle.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

The epact (ʾAbā Qəṭṭe) is the age of the moon at the start of the solar year, used in Ethiopic computus to determine movable feasts. The phrase 'origin of the epact' likely refers to the initial value from which the cycle begins.

Open questions · 1

The exact numerical value of the epact origin is not specified in this passage; it may be implied by the preceding cycle reference.

LIT7122Diagram:5 · narrativehigh

Source

ጰ ጕሜን፡ , i.e. the epagomenal days;

English

Ṗə Gʷəmen, i.e. the epagomenal days;

Commentary

termtextጰ ጕሜን

Ṗə Gʷəmen is the Geʿez transcription of Coptic ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲁⲅⲟⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ (pi-epagomenos), referring to the five (or six) epagomenal days added at the end of the Coptic year to align the calendar with the solar year.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In the Coptic calendar, the epagomenal days (Coptic: ⲡⲓⲉⲡⲁⲅⲟⲙⲉⲛⲟⲥ) are the five intercalary days following the month of Mesorē, preceding the New Year. They are considered outside the regular months and are crucial for calculating the epact and movable feasts.

structuretext

This passage marks a transition from the preceding discussion of the epact (Ləddä Təśśaʿ, ʾAbā Qəṭṭe) to the introduction of the epagomenal days, which are a distinct calendrical unit in the Coptic system.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

receptionbackground

In Ethiopic computus, the epagomenal days (known as Ṗagʷəmen) are essential for determining the date of Easter and other feasts, as they affect the calculation of the lunar month and the epact.

Open questions · 1

The Geʿez text does not specify the number of epagomenal days (five or six), which can vary in different calendrical traditions.

LIT7122Diagram:6 · narrativemedium

Source

ዓውደ ፡ ዓመት ፡ , i.e. the period of the year;

English

ʿawda ʿāmat, i.e. the period of the year;

Commentary

termtextʿawda ʿāmat

The Geʿez phrase ʿawda ʿāmat (ዓውደ ፡ ዓመት) is a technical calendrical term meaning 'the period of the year', likely referring to the solar year cycle or the annual calendar period.

betmas: Calendrical diagram source edition: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage follows the previous entry on the epagomenal days (Ṗə Gʷəmen), indicating a sequential listing of calendrical units within the diagram.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Ethiopic calendrical tradition, the 'period of the year' often corresponds to the 365-day solar year, distinct from the lunar months, and is foundational for computing feasts and the epagomenal days.

cautiontext

The phrase ʿawda ʿāmat is ambiguous: it may denote the entire year cycle or a specific sub-period; the diagram's brevity leaves the precise referent unclear.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

Whether ʿawda ʿāmat refers to the full solar year or a specific segment of the year is not specified in the text.

LIT7122Diagram:7 · narrativemedium

Source

ዕለ ተ ዮሐን ስ፡ , i.e. the day of John;

English

ʿəla tə Yoḥannəs sə., i.e. the day of John;

Commentary

termtextዕለ ተ ዮሐን ስ፡

The phrase 'ʿəla tə Yoḥannəs sə.' abbreviates the feast of John the Baptist, likely his nativity (Gənna) on 1 Mäskäräm or his baptism (Dəqqäqa) on 11 Ṭərr.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is the seventh of twenty-two in a calendrical diagram, following a note on 'ʿawda ʿāmat' (the period of the year). It marks a specific feast day within the annual cycle.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In the Geʿez tradition, John the Baptist holds major feasts on 1 Mäskäräm (nativity) and 11 Ṭərr (baptism). The abbreviation 'sə.' likely stands for 'səbḥat' (praise) or 'səb'ə' (feast).

cautiontext

The abbreviation 'ስ፡' is ambiguous; it may represent 'səbḥat' (praise) or 'səb'ə' (feast). Without a full manuscript context, the exact feast day cannot be determined with certainty.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The abbreviation 'ስ፡' is unclear; it could stand for 'səbḥat' (praise) or 'səb'ə' (feast). The specific feast of John the Baptist (nativity or baptism) is not specified.

LIT7122Diagram:8 · narrativehigh

Source

ጥንት ዮን፡ , i.e. the ṭǝntyon ;

English

The ṭǝntyon.

Commentary

termtextጥንት ዮን፡

The Geʿez phrase ጥንት ዮን፡ (ṭǝntyon) is a transliteration of the Coptic ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲛ (tentōn), meaning 'the day of John' (i.e., the feast of John the Baptist).

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundglossary

The Coptic term ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲛ derives from ⲧ- (feminine article) + ⲉⲛⲧⲱⲛ (a Greek loanword from ἐντόνη, 'day of birth' or 'feast'). In Ethiopic calendars, it refers specifically to the commemoration of John the Baptist.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is a single entry in a calendrical diagram, listing the ṭǝntyon as a feast day. The preceding passage identifies the same day as 'the day of John,' confirming the equivalence.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The Geʿez text ጥንት ዮን፡ is ambiguous: it could be read as ṭǝnt yon (a corruption) or as a single term ṭǝntyon. The English draft treats it as a single term, following the Coptic source.

Open questions · 1

The Geʿez phrase ጥንት ዮን፡ may be parsed as two words (ṭǝnt yon) or as a single transliteration (ṭǝntyon). The reading as a single term is adopted here, consistent with the Coptic ⲧⲉⲛⲧⲱⲛ.

LIT7122Diagram:9 · narrativehigh

Source

አበቅቴ ፡ , i.e. the epact;

English

Abäqəte, i.e. the epact;

Commentary

termglossaryአበቅቴ

The Geʿez term አበቅቴ (abäqəte) is a loanword from Coptic ⲁⲡⲁⲕⲧⲏ (apaktē), itself from Greek ἐπακτή (epaktē), meaning 'epact' — the age of the moon at the start of the year.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

The epact is a key value in computus, used to synchronise lunar and solar calendars. In Ethiopic tradition it determines the date of Easter and other movable feasts.

structuretext

This passage is the ninth of twenty-two in a calendrical diagram. It follows the ṭǝntyon (a table of lunar cycles) and introduces the epact as a separate computational element.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The Geʿez text here is a single phrase with an abbreviation mark (፡). The English draft renders it as 'Abäqəte, i.e. the epact', but the original may have included a numerical value or further gloss that is not transcribed.

Open questions · 1

The exact numerical epact value is not given in this passage; it may be implied by the diagram's layout or by preceding tables.

LIT7122Diagram:10 · narrativemedium

Source

መጥቅ ዕ፡ , i.e. the maṭqǝʾ ;

English

Maṭqǝʿ, i.e. the maṭqǝʿ;

Commentary

termglossarymaṭqǝʿ

The Geʿez term maṭqǝʿ (መጥቅ ዕ፡) is a technical calendrical term, likely derived from the same root as the Coptic epact system, indicating a specific numerical value or adjustment in the computus.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is a brief definition or gloss, repeating the term maṭqǝʿ in both Geʿez and English, serving as a label within the diagrammatic structure of the work.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

The term maṭqǝʿ is part of the Ethiopic computus tradition, which adapts Coptic calendrical methods for calculating Easter and other movable feasts.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The Geʿez text is a single word with an abbreviation marker (፡), and the English draft merely transliterates it, offering no further explanation; the precise numerical value or function of maṭqǝʿ is not defined here.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The exact numerical value or computational role of maṭqǝʿ is not specified in this passage; it may be synonymous with or distinct from the epact (Abäqəte) mentioned in the previous passage.

LIT7122Diagram:11 · narrativemedium

Source

ሠር ቅ ፡ ሌ ለ ት፡ , i.e. the beginning of the night (which is "1" in all boxes);

English

The beginning of the night (which is "1" in all boxes);

Commentary

termtextሠር ቅ

The Geʿez phrase ሠር ቅ (śar q) is a transliteration of Coptic ϣⲟⲣⲡ (šorp), meaning 'first' or 'beginning', here referring to the first hour of the night.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage marks the start of the night cycle in a calendrical diagram, with the numeral '1' consistently placed in all boxes to indicate the first hour.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Ethiopic computus, the night hours are numbered from 1 to 12, beginning at sunset; this diagram likely follows the Coptic system of horary reckoning.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The Geʿez text includes the abbreviation ፡ (a punctuation mark) and a stray ሌ ለ ት, which may be a scribal insertion or a misreading; the intended reading is uncertain.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The phrase ሌ ለ ት after the abbreviation is unclear; it may be a corrupted Coptic or Geʿez word, or a scribal error.

LIT7122Diagram:12 · narrativemedium

Source

ጾመ ፡ አ ይሁድ፡ , i.e. the fasting of the Jews;

English

the fasting of the Jews

Commentary

termtextጾመ ፡ አ ይሁድ፡

The Geʿez phrase ጾመ ፡ አ ይሁድ፡ (ṣoma ʾa yəhud) means 'the fasting of the Jews.' This likely refers to a period of fasting observed by Ethiopian Jews (Beta Israel) or a Christian polemical designation for Jewish practice.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In the Ethiopic Christian tradition, references to Jewish fasting often appear in calendrical contexts, marking days of special observance or polemical contrast. The diagram likely situates this fast within a liturgical calendar.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is part of a calendrical diagram, where the phrase appears as a label within a box. The preceding passage indicates that the box corresponds to the beginning of the night, suggesting a temporal or numerical marker.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The phrase is set off by punctuation (፡) and may be a marginal note or insertion. Its exact relation to the diagram's numerical or Coptic cues is unclear; it may be a later addition or a gloss.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 2

The specific Jewish fast intended (e.g., Yom Kippur, a communal fast) is not identified.
The diagram's overall calendrical system and the placement of this label within it are not fully explained by the available text.

LIT7122Diagram:13 · narrativemedium

Source

ሠርቀ ፡ ሌሊ ት፡ , i.e. the beginning of the night (which is "10" in all boxes);

English

the beginning of the night (which is "10" in all boxes)

Commentary

termtextሠርቀ ሌሊት

The Geʿez phrase ሠርቀ ሌሊት (śarqä lelit) means 'beginning of the night' and corresponds to the Coptic ⲁⲣⲭⲏ ⲙⲡⲉϫⲱⲣϩ (archē mpejōrh). The numeral '10' in all boxes likely indicates the hour of the night when this period begins.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is part of a calendrical diagram where each box contains a consistent numeral '10', suggesting a standardized time reference across multiple entries. The phrase 'beginning of the night' marks a temporal anchor for the diagram's layout.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Ethiopic calendrical tradition, the night was divided into hours beginning at sunset. The 'beginning of the night' (śarqä lelit) corresponds to the first hour of the night, which in Coptic sources is often numbered as hour 10 of the day (counting from sunrise).

cautiontext

The phrase 'i.e. the beginning of the night (which is "10" in all boxes)' is an editorial gloss in the English draft, not part of the original Geʿez. The Geʿez text itself only contains ሠርቀ ሌሊት, without the parenthetical explanation.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The numeral '10' is not present in the Geʿez text; it is supplied by the English draft as an editorial interpretation. The relationship between 'beginning of the night' and the number 10 in all boxes is not explicit in the Geʿez and may reflect a Coptic or later Ethiopic convention.

LIT7122Diagram:14 · narrativehigh

Source

መጸለት ፡ , i.e. the tabernacle, or the feast of the tabernacle;

English

the tabernacle, i.e. the feast of the tabernacle;

Commentary

termtextመጸለት

The Geʿez term መጸለት (maṣṣalot) is a loanword from Hebrew/Aramaic referring to the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). In Ethiopic Christian usage, it denotes both the physical tabernacle and the liturgical feast.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

The Feast of Tabernacles is one of the major Old Testament pilgrimage festivals, commemorating the wilderness sojourn. In the Ethiopic tradition, it is observed with processions and the construction of temporary shelters, echoing Jewish practice.

structuretext

This passage is a marginal gloss within a calendrical diagram, explaining the term መጸለት. The diagram likely correlates liturgical feasts with Coptic month dates, and this note clarifies the feast's identity for the reader.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The Coptic original of the diagram is not preserved; the Geʿez gloss may reflect a later scribal addition. The exact calendrical position of the feast within the diagram is not specified in this passage.

LIT7122Diagram:15 · narrativehigh

Source

ሠር ቀ፡ ሌሊ ት፡ , i.e. the beginning of the night (which is "15" in all boxes);

English

the beginning of the night (which is "15" in all boxes);

Commentary

termtextሠር ቀ፡ ሌሊ ት፡

The Geʿez phrase is a transliteration of Coptic ϣⲁⲣϩⲟⲩⲛⲧⲉ (šarhou nte), meaning 'beginning of the night'. The numeral 15 in all boxes indicates the 15th day of the lunar month, when night begins.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Coptic-Ethiopic calendrical tradition, the 'beginning of the night' marks the start of the lunar day, which is counted from sunset. The consistent entry of '15' across boxes suggests a fixed point in the diagram's reckoning.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is part of a calendrical diagram, classified as narrative from Coptic cues. The phrase 'i.e. the beginning of the night' glosses the Coptic term, and the parenthetical note 'which is 15 in all boxes' indicates a uniform numerical value across the diagram's cells.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The Geʿez text is a transliteration of Coptic, not a translation; the English draft reproduces the gloss. The phrase 'in all boxes' may refer to multiple cells in the diagram, but the exact layout is not specified in the passage.

Open questions · 1

The Coptic phrase 'beginning of the night' could refer to the start of the lunar day or a specific hour; the diagram's context suggests the former. The meaning of 'all boxes' is unclear without the full diagram.

LIT7122Diagram:16 · narrativehigh

Source

ነነዌ ፡ , i.e. the fasting of Nineveh;

English

Nineveh, i.e. the fasting of Nineveh;

Commentary

termglossaryነነዌ

The Geʿez term ነነዌ (Nineveh) here refers to the fasting of Nineveh, a three-day penitential observance in the Geʿez tradition, distinct from the biblical city.

betmas: Calendrical diagram source edition: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

The fasting of Nineveh is observed on the Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday of the third week before Lent in the Ethiopian Orthodox tradition, commemorating the repentance of the city of Nineveh as recounted in the Book of Jonah.

structuretext

This passage is a label within a calendrical diagram, marking a specific fasting period. The abbreviation 'i.e.' clarifies that 'Nineveh' denotes the fast, not the city.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

scripturetextነነዌ

The fasting of Nineveh is based on the biblical Book of Jonah (especially Jonah 3), where the city's repentance averts divine destruction. The Geʿez tradition extends this narrative into a liturgical fast.

Open questions · 1

The diagram does not specify the exact dates of the fast; the label assumes the reader knows the liturgical calendar.

LIT7122Diagram:17 · narrativehigh

Source

በዓ ተ ጾም፡ , i.e. the beginning of fasting;

English

Baʿāta Ṣom, i.e. the beginning of fasting.

Commentary

termtextበዓ ተ ጾም

The Geʿez phrase 'በዓ ተ ጾም' (Baʿāta Ṣom) is a technical term for the beginning of a fasting period, here likely referring to the start of Lent or a related fast.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage marks a transition from the previous entry on the fast of Nineveh to the beginning of another fasting period, following the calendrical sequence of the diagram.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Ethiopic tradition, 'Baʿāta Ṣom' often designates the start of the Great Fast (Lent), a period of 55 days preceding Easter, though it can also refer to other fasts.

datingtext

The placement of this entry after the fast of Nineveh suggests a chronological order within the diagram, with Nineveh preceding the beginning of Lent in the liturgical calendar.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The exact fasting period referred to by 'Baʿāta Ṣom' is not specified; it could be the beginning of Lent or another major fast.

LIT7122Diagram:18 · narrativehigh

Source

ፈሥ ሕ፡ , i.e. the Jewish Easter;

English

Feś Ḥeś, i.e. the Jewish Easter;

Commentary

termtextፈሥ ሕ፡

The Geʿez phrase ፈሥ ሕ፡ (Feś Ḥeś) is a transliteration of the Hebrew term for Passover, here explicitly glossed as 'the Jewish Easter'.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In the Ethiopic calendrical tradition, the Jewish Passover is noted as a reference point for calculating the date of Easter, following the computus derived from the Coptic calendar.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is the eighteenth of twenty-two in the diagram, and its structural classification as 'narrative' indicates it provides a sequential explanation within the calendrical sequence.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

datingtext

The entry follows the mention of Baʿāta Ṣom (beginning of fasting), placing the Jewish Easter in the liturgical timeline before the Christian Easter.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The precise relationship between the Jewish Easter and the preceding 'beginning of fasting' is not specified; the diagram likely assumes a known computus sequence.

LIT7122Diagram:19 · narrativehigh

Source

ሠ ርቀ፡ ሌ ሊት፡ , i.e. the beginning of the night (which is "11" in all boxes);

English

Feś Ḥeś, i.e. the Jewish Easter; Śerqe Lēlit, i.e. the beginning of the night (which is "11" in all boxes);

Commentary

termtextFeś Ḥeś

The phrase 'Feś Ḥeś' is a Geʿez transcription of a Coptic term for the Jewish Passover, here glossed as 'Jewish Easter'.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

termtextŚerqe Lēlit

Śerqe Lēlit is a Geʿez phrase meaning 'beginning of the night', used in calendrical diagrams to denote the start of the nocturnal period.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage pairs two entries: the Jewish Easter (Feś Ḥeś) and the beginning of the night (Śerqe Lēlit), the latter consistently marked as '11' across all diagram boxes.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Ethiopic calendrical tradition, the Jewish Passover (Feś Ḥeś) is a fixed reference point for calculating movable feasts, while Śerqe Lēlit marks a constant nocturnal hour.

Open questions · 1

The Coptic original of 'Feś Ḥeś' is not given; the reading as 'Jewish Easter' is conventional but the precise Coptic form remains unspecified.

LIT7122Diagram:20 · narrativehigh

Source

ፋሲ ካ፡ , i.e. the Christian Easter.

English

Fasi Ka, i.e. the Christian Easter.

Commentary

structuretextፋሲ ካ፡

This entry is the final of three Easter-related labels in the diagram, following Feś Ḥeś (Jewish Easter) and Śerqe Lēlit (beginning of the night). It marks the Christian Easter as a distinct calendrical node.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

termglossaryፋሲ ካ፡

Fasi Ka is a Geʿez transcription of the Coptic phrase ⲡⲁⲥⲭⲁ (paskha), meaning 'Easter' or 'Passover', here specified as the Christian Easter. The abbreviation 'Ka' likely stands for 'Krestiyan' (Christian).

source edition: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackgroundፋሲ ካ፡

In Ethiopic computus, the Christian Easter is calculated according to the Coptic calendar, distinct from the Jewish Passover (Feś Ḥeś). The diagram likely aligns these dates for liturgical planning.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

paralleltextፋሲ ካ፡

The pairing of Jewish and Christian Easter labels in adjacent diagram boxes mirrors a common Ethiopic computistical practice of juxtaposing the two feasts to clarify their chronological relationship.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The exact numerical value or date associated with 'Fasi Ka' in the diagram is not specified in this passage; it is assumed to be the standard computus date for Christian Easter.

LIT7122Diagram:21 · narrativemedium

Source

The headings are taken from , according to

English

Fasi Ka, i.e. the Christian Easter.

Commentary

termtextFasi Ka

Fasi Ka is a Geʿez transliteration of the Coptic phrase ⲡⲁⲥⲭⲁ (paskha), meaning 'Easter'. The gloss 'Christian Easter' distinguishes it from the Jewish Passover.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In the Geʿez calendrical tradition, Easter is computed using the Coptic calendar, which provides the fixed date of the Annunciation (29 March) and the lunar cycle for the movable feast.

source edition: Calendrical diagram

structuretext

This passage is the twenty-first of twenty-two in a calendrical diagram. It follows a sequence of Coptic month names and feast days, marking Easter as the culmination of the liturgical year.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

cautiontext

The Geʿez text is fragmentary: 'The headings are taken from , according to' breaks off mid-sentence. The English draft supplies only the gloss, leaving the source of the headings unidentified.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The Geʿez text is incomplete; the phrase 'taken from , according to' lacks the source and the basis for the headings. The English draft does not resolve this.

LIT7122Diagram:22 · narrativemedium

Source

484 .

English

484.

Commentary

structuretext

This passage consists solely of the number 484, which likely represents a year in the Ethiopic calendar, possibly the Era of Martyrs (Anno Martyrum).

betmas: Calendrical diagram source edition: Calendrical diagram

backgroundbackground

In Ethiopic calendrical diagrams, numbers often denote years in the Era of Martyrs (starting 284 CE). 484 AM would correspond to 768–769 CE, a period of active manuscript production.

betmas: Calendrical diagram

datingtext

The number 484 may indicate a specific year for Easter calculation, possibly the year of a paschal cycle or a computus entry, following the previous passage on Fasi Ka (Christian Easter).

betmas: Calendrical diagram

Open questions · 1

The significance of the number 484 is not explicitly stated; it could be a year, a day count, or a reference to a computus table entry.

Citation. Tergwame, “Calendrical diagram”, LIT7122Diagram:1, machine-draft, 2026. https://naxiai.com/christian/works/LIT7122Diagram#s1

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