The Serbian Slavonic Tradition of the Biblical Apocrypha: An Overview Regarding their Status

Abstract

This article deals with a wide range of topics related to Serbian Slavonic Apocryphal writings, drawing special attention to their status in Serbian medieval literature. First, there is a general introduction, followed by two sections dedicated to the codices and social context of the Serbian Slavonic Apocrypha, and finally, the article concludes with a few hermeneutical observations. The Serbian Slavonic Apocrypha have yet to be investigated thoroughly. One common misconception is that the Apocrypha were considered as “forbidden” or even heretical literature. However, the Serbian Slavonic manuscripts reveal that the Apocrypha were transmitted together with other ecclesial texts used for religious services. They were not considered as non-canonical or dangerous, but rather as literature “beyond canon,” that was useful for the faithful.