Stone sculpture stone carving. Alabaster and softer kinds of serpentine, all about 3 on the Mohs scale, are more durable than soapstone. Alabaster, in particular, has long been cherished for its translucence. Limestone and sandstone, at about 4 on the Mohs scale, are the only sedimentary stones commonly carved. Limestone comes in a popular oolitic variety, about twice as hard as alabaster, that is excellent for carving. The harder serpentines can also reach 4 on the Mohs scale. Marble, travertine, and onyx are at about 6 on the Mohs scale. Marble has been the preferred stone for sculptors in the European tradition
Koine Greek is also known as "Biblical", "New Testament", "ecclesiastical" or "patristic" Greek. It continues to be used as the liturgical language of services in the Greek Orthodox Church. The English-language name "Koine" derives from the Koine Greek term "he koinè diálektos", "the common dialect". The Greek word "koinē" () itself means "common". The word is pronounced , or in US English and in UK English. The pronunciation of the word in Koine itself gradually changed from (close to the Classical Attic pronunciation ) to (close to the Modern Greek ). In Greek, the language has been referred to as Ελληνιστική Κοινή,