The remarkable codices psi and Evang. 1071, and chapters from the Acta Pilati, and Acta Thomae from Mount Athos make up the main body of this study. Chosen on the basis of a personal visit by the author to this famous monastery in 1899, these texts had rarely been seen before. The text of St. Mark in codex psi, and a collation of St. Luke, St. John, and Colossians in the same codex are presented first. The gospel codex 1071 is also given a collation, while chapters of the Acts of Pilate and a fragment of the Acts of Thomas are offered in their original Greek. Lake provides substantial introductory remarks for each manuscript as well as a catalogue and description of the biblical manuscripts he viewed on his visit. All together these pieces provide a rare glimpse into the wealth of manuscripts held by the community of Mount Athos.

Kirsopp Lake (1872-1946) had a distinguished career in Oxford, the University of Leiden and Harvard University. In addition to his many publications in ecclesiastical history, Lake also held vibrant interests in archaeology and travel. During his career he carried out valuable research on ancient manuscripts during his travels in Greece.