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By Aristos Georgiou
!Papyrus Fragment
In a groundbreaking discovery, experts have successfully deciphered an ancient manuscript that sheds light on Jesus’ childhood. The fragment, made of papyrus—a paper-like material used in antiquity—had been quietly stored at Hamburg, Germany’s Carl von Ossietzky State and University Library for decades.
The Revelation
A team of researchers recently identified the ancient Greek text on the fragment as originating from the Infancy Gospel of Thomas (IGT). This finding makes it the oldest known version of this gospel. The IGT belongs to a group of “apocryphal” infancy gospels—early Christian writings that are not officially part of the biblical canon recognized by major denominations.
The Significance
The IGT provides insights into Jesus’ early life, although its origins remain uncertain. Despite not being included in the Bible, these stories were widely circulated during antiquity and the medieval period.
