Books of Sermons occupy a significant position within the corpus of manuscripts and literary collections. These volumes typically comprise sermons composed for specific Christian holidays, addressing the liturgical calendar and its theological implications. The content encompasses apologetic, interpretative, moral, and cognitive themes. Certain collections adopt a panegyric approach, offering both accessible explanations of prayer, family, church, and faith, as well as in-depth doctrinal analysis. The primary objective of these sermons is to reinforce the presence of Christ in the daily lives and consciousness of Christian adherents.
Manuscripts in Matenadaran preserve sermons, speeches, and exhortations by scribes from various centuries. Well-known sermons include those of Yesai Nchetsi, Tiratur Kiliketsi, Patriarch Hakob Nalyan, Catholicos Simeon Yerevantsi, and Petros Aghamalyan-Berdumyan. Of particular interest are the two-volume “Books of Sermons” of the Armenian author, theologian, philosopher, and teacher Saint Grigor Tatevatsi (1346-1409): “Dzmeran” and “Amaran”.
Numerous manuscript copies preserve these works, as well as individual sermons included in diverse collections. Saint Grigor Tatevatsi produced exemplary models of homiletic and rhetorical composition.
Books of Sermons have played a prominent role in Armenian spiritual practice since the era of the revered Saint Grigor Tatevatsi, known as the ‘seven-light and triple-honoured.’
This manuscript, kept in Mashtots Matenadaran under number 5175, is a valuable and unique “Book of Sermons” written in Varag in 1418 by the scribe Priest Nikoghayos (presumably Karapet). The manuscript consists of 415 leaves, is written in single-column, minuscule script, and is covered in a leather-covered board with sigillate decorations.
