[count-your-change]

The thousands of copies of manuscripts in Greek were not the work of monks in the Middle Ages but of professional copyists, a practice that existed until printing came along.

Think of the how various congregations of the church would copy and pass on important letters like those from Paul.

What the monks did do was make the hugely elaborate copies for churches and their own libraries, not of much use to the average person.

[Natural Law]

"The thousands of copies of manuscripts in Greek were not the work of monks in the Middle Ages but of professional copyists, a practice that existed until printing came along."

I am aware of limited numbers of lay copyists employed in reproducing secular works, but no widespread reproduction of religious works by them. Perhaps you could provide some background or supporting information on this claim.