[1] The fragments of this papyrus, composed of three leaves written on both sides[2] and now in the Bodleian Library,[3] were found in 1907 in the ruins of the Deir Balyzeh monastery in the village of Al Balyzeh (or Balayzah, Bala'izah, Arabic: البلايزة) in the Asyut Governorate: this monastery, which had an estimated population of 1000 monks, was in use from about the 500 and was abandoned after the 750.
[4] The fragments are in Greek written in uncial script, and are dated to the end of the 6th century.
[7] Similarities with the anaphora of Serapion suggests the second half of the 4th century as possible dating of the contents.
[8] The Deir Balyzeh Papyrus contains a short Christian creed which could have a baptismal use.
The prayers begin as follow: "You, our help ...", "May he give us charity ..." and "We pray you, o Master ...".