Greek hymns, archaeology

This article includes the tradition of Egypt/Alexandria. See also ‘Greek hymnody’*. Introduction Christian papyrology enables us to study many of the non-biblical liturgical songs of the early Greek Church, which were previously known only through translations, particularly in the Georgian, Armenian or Coptic traditions (which are difficult to date), through fragments in late Greek compilations, or through literary works of dubious authorship or uncertain liturgical use. These papyrological witnesses, often surviving only as fragments, have frequently lost their titles and incipits, making the genres unclear, but they give us a precise idea of the repertoire of Greek hymnody practised...