THE GOSPEL OF OKHU

The Gospel of Okhu is a manuscript with a story of mysterious survival. It is kept in Matenadaran and features luxurious miniature decorations. This manuscript represents a significant example of Armenian miniature painting, with rich imagery and more than 30 miniatures per page. It includes canonical evangelical and non-canonical scenes, images of the four evangelists,

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CHARSANJAK GOSPEL

The manuscript was commissioned by was copied by Simeon vardapet in 1471 in Jerusalem. It was taken to Western Armenia and kept in St. Kevork church (St. George) in the village of Godarich in Charsanjak district. The manuscript is enclosed in a double silver binding, depicting the crucifixion of Christ on the front cover and

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GOSPEL OF THE VILLAGE MZUK

The collection of the Mashtots Matenadaran has been replenished with another Gospel copied by elder priest Hovhannes. The manuscript was written in 1454, in the village of Mzuk, Motkan district of Sassoon, Bagesh (Bitlis) province, which was the center of Armenian writing culture in the Middle Ages. The name of the illuminator is unknown. The

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GOSPEL, 1684, KAFA

Scribe and painter: Elder priest Nikoghos Melanavor The Crimean school is one of the prominent centers of Armenian miniature painting. Even following the fall of the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia, a substantial Armenian population migrated to Crimea (particularly at the end of the 14th century), carrying with them also manuscripts. In Crimea, Armenian miniaturists began

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GOSPEL, 1588, TY’WANJ VILLAGE (KARIN)

Painter: Arakel Geghametsi Arakel Geghametsi, born into the esteemed “Great Arghutetsi family” and active in the Tvanch Desert of Karin and Vayots Dzor, stands out as a prominent figure in Armenian miniature painting from the late Middle Ages. His miniatures are notable for their distinctive original iconography, featuring a variety of uncommon household details, ornate

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GOSPEL, 1675, KARAHAT VILLAGE (GANDZAK)

Painter: priest Grigor From the manuscript legacy of Priest Grigor, eight codices have been preserved, and one among them is this illustrated Gospel. Thematic miniatures in this Gospel are positioned at the outset of the manuscript. In the Nativity scene, the exchange of gazes between the Mother and Child imparts tenderness and evokes an emotional

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GOSPEL, XIII CENTURY, CILICIA

Scribe: Sukias, painter: unknown A standout jewel within the group of royal Cilician manuscripts is Gospel No. 9422 from the Matenadaran collection. Its “Annunciation” miniature stands out as an exceptional example of Armenian manuscript art. The positioning of the head, the gaze, and the hand movement of the Mother of God imbue the miniature with

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THE OLDEST COMPLETE ARMENIAN MANUSCRIPT, KNOWN AS THE “OLD” GOSPEL OF BANANTS, IS CURRENTLY HELD AT MATENADARAN

Although the exact time and place of the manuscript’s writing are uncertain, archaeological evidence suggests that it dates back to the 7th century. Since the 16th century, the manuscript has been kept in Mets Banants village of Gardman province, where it was referred to as the “Old” or “Guardian” Gospel. In January of 1975, Bishop

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