The History of the LXX Project

Since the 1993 publication of the popular Orthodox Study Bible, New Testament and Psalms, many have hoped for a similar study Bible which would include the Old Testament. This sounds simple enough, but for such an Old Testament to exist, it would need to be based upon the Septuagint (commonly abbreviated as LXX). The Septuagint—that Greek version of scriptures in use at the time of Christ and used by him and the Apostles—has always been the Old Testament of the Orthodox Church. A new translation would be essential in order to finally bring the Septuagint to Orthodox Christians in America.

Thus, in early 1998, with the blessing of Metropolitan PHILIP of the Antiochian Orthodox Christian Archdiocese, a group of Orthodox Christians in America who had been involved with the creation of the first Orthodox Study Bible, began what would come to be called the LXX Project—a new translation of the Septuagint into English, with notes, for use in a complete Orthodox Study Bible.

Spearheading the project was Fr. Jack Sparks as Project Director, with the close assistance of Fr. Richard Ballew, and Fr. Peter Gillquist as Director of Development. The massive scale of the project would require the recruitment of many scholars, working over many years, with significant funding. According to Fr. Sparks, the initial budget was estimated at $1.6 million, with the following time-line projected: "first drafts of translations and notes in by July 15, 2001; first editing completed by July 15, 2002; back to original workers for their further comments—to be returned by July 15, 2003; final document completed by general editors and the manuscript to the publishers by August 31, 2004." One by one, many scholars who had been involved in the original Orthodox Study Bible project got on board, as well as many new ones.

In the spring of 2000, project leaders made what Fr. Sparks calls "a bold and expensive decision," by hosting a workshop at Antiochian Village for as many of the seventy workers—most volunteers—who could attend. The workshop, held September 26-29, 2000, was well worth the effort and expense, as it was pivotal for establishing a unity, collaboration, enthusiasm, and organized leadership structure that would carry the project through to the end. For example, it was at this retreat that various leaders were put in place to chair subgroups within the project—whether the translation group, or the groups responsible for articles, footnotes, and so forth. This way the work was able to continue steadily, and on task.

But LXX Project members were also greatly heartened at this time by the support of Orthodox hierarchs who sent letters of encouragement and support.

Metropolitan PHILIP wrote:

The holy work you are undertaking is of vital importance to the future of our Holy Orthodox faith in the English-speaking world, especially here in North America. At a time when Christian groups and others are subjecting our people to so many unorthodox materials, it is crucial to our future to have a Bible with an interpretation founded on the faith of our Fathers. . . . Please know that this project has my full support and blessings.

Metropolitan THEODOSIUS, Primate of the Orthodox Church in America, wrote:

I wish to send my greetings and sincere best wishes to all those who are in attendance. Their knowledge and expertise are an invaluable gift to the Church in North America. We are grateful that their many gifts have been dedicated to spread knowledge, understanding, and love of the Word of God.

Metropolitan MAXIMOS of the Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh, one of our general editors, wrote that he would not be able to attend the workshop because he would be out of the country. Then he added:

I wish to express to you my undivided support and enthusiasm for this ongoing project. I look forward to the opportunity when I can devote the necessary time to the project. This is an important, indeed historical, work of scholarship.

Funding for the LXX Project has come from contributors who understand the value of the work. The final budget was $1,680,000, spread over five years. So far, $350,000 has been received.

When explaining the LXX Project, inquirers commonly ask about how the translators did their work. It was done by taking the New King James Version of the Bible as a starting point and changing it everywhere it differed from the Septuagint, with the result being a new and thorough translation.

While it is impossible to mention every translator, techy, and editor who has contributed to the LXX Project, the general editors—those key scholars who went over the final text and notes before sending it off to the publisher—are as follows:

• Metropolitan MAXIMOS, Greek Orthodox Diocese of Pittsburgh;
• the Rev. Dr. Michel Najim, former Dean of Balamand Seminary in Lebanon and currently Dean of St. Nicholas Cathedral in Los Angeles;
• the Rev. Dr. Eugen Pentiuch, professor of Old Testament, Holy Cross Orthodox School of Theology; and
• the Rev. Dr. Jack Sparks, Dean of St. Athanasius Academy.

As the project has now been seen through to completion, for the first time in history there exists a complete text of the Orthodox Bible in the English language, with the added features of notes and commentary, making it the only complete Orthodox Study Bible in the world. Thanks be to God!

This article is based on the work of Fr. Jack Sparks and material taken from LXX.org.