One of the things I should’ve mentioned with regard to the importance of III Maccabees for the Orthodox is that it has many key linkages to the development of the Jewish tradition toward the early beliefs of Christianity. In fact, St. Gregory Palamas, in defending the ancient antecedents of certain Orthodox mystical experiences, draws heavily on III Macc as a source.

The original question was: “Are there any secret archives of the Orthodox Church?” There is no doubt that at St. Catherines and on Mt. Athos there are ancient libraries and also relics. However, the city of Constantinople was the repository for all the relics, books, documents, jewels, gold, sacred vessels, etc. of the Byzantine/Roman Empire. This wasn’t a “secret,” but Constantinople held the “most” and vast aspects of Christendom there was. In fact, Rome was most jealous of this “repository” and during the 4th Crusade when Roman plunderers attacked Constantinople, much of this repository made it’s way to Rome, Italy and other parts of Europe. Before the Fall of Constantinople by the Muslims, ship upon ship carried the rest of this repository to Rome and Mt. Athos. Therefore, many of the treasures of the Vatican were stolen from Constantinople, the Orthodox East.