 The manuscript 's original provenance is unknown . Traditionally Alexandria is considered the place of its origin and it is the most probable hypothesis . Cyril Lucaris was the first who pointed to Alexandria as the place of origin of the codex . This popular view is based on an Arabic note from 13th or 14th century , on folio 1 , which reads : " Bound to the Patriarchal Cell in the Fortress of Alexandria . Whoever removes it thence shall be excommunicated and cut off . Written by Athanasius the humble . " " Athanasius the humble " is identified with Athanasius III , Patriarch of Alexandria from 1276 to 1316 . 
