Walters Ms. W.539, T'oros Roslin Gospels

W.539

T'oros Roslin Gospels

Gospel Book

Vernacular: Աւետարան

This manuscript was made in 1262 by T’oros Roslin, the celebrated illuminator who extended the iconographic repertoire by defining a narrative Gospel cycle beyond the traditional portraits of the Evangelists. This signed manuscript was created at the scriptorium of Hromkla, which became the leading artistic center of Armenian Cilicia under the rule of Catholicos Constantine I (1221-1267). As an extensive colophon starting on fol. 406v explains, T’oros created this manuscript under commission from the nephew of Constantine, a priest also named T’oros. It is one of seven known manuscripts bearing T’oros Roslin’s signature, and it is the most sumptuous of them all, with 15 miniatures and 67 smaller illustrations. The style of the images suggests that T’oros had several assistants helping with the illustrations, though the overall quality remains extremely high. The manuscript was long cherished within the Armenian church. Even in the seventeenth century, its illumination served as a model for Armenian scribes, particularly Bargham and his son Mik’ayel; see Jerusalem, Armenian Patriarchate, no. 3438 and Washington DC, Freer Gallery, Ms. 36.15; in the latter manuscript, Mik’ayel explicitly refers to “the excellent scribe T’oros, surnamed Roslin.”

Copied and illuminated in 1262 CE

Hromkla, Armenia

Authority name: Tʻoros Ṛoslin

Name, in vernacular: Թորոս Ռաւսլին

Known as: Thoros Roslin

Authority name: Tʻoros Ṛoslin

Known as: Thoros Roslin

Book

Scriptural

The primary language in this manuscript is Armenian.

fols. 406v to 409v:

2. In vernacular: Fol. 406v in black erkat‘agir. Փառք քեզ անսահման անուն եւ անզուգական անձնաւորութիւն, հայր եւ որդի եւ հոգի: (Fol. 407) Որ ետուր կարողութիւն եւ սատար եղեր տկարութեան իմոյ ի զրաւ հասեալ ղձալի մատենիս: Աւրհնութիւն քեզ սուրբ երրորդութիւն եւ միասնական աստուածութիւն, այժմ եւ միշտ: Շնորհիւ տեառն սկըսեալ եւ ողորմութեամբ նորին յանգ ելեալ աւարտեցաւ մատեանըս աստուածախաւս, աստուածունակ, [SDN, 87.1] երկրպագելի եւ պաշտելի սուրբ աւետարանս յեւթնհարիւր եւ մետասաներորդի ամի թուաբերութեանս հայոց (= 1262): Յաշխարհամուտ աթոռս Հոռոմկլա ընդ հովանեաւ աստուածաբնակ տաճարացս որ յանուն սուրբ Փրկչին եւ սրբոյ Աստուածածնին եւ սուրբ Լուսաւորչին մերոյ եւ այլ եւս բազմահաւաք սրբոց: Ի ժամանակս աստուածասէր եւ բարեպաշտ արքային Հեթմոյ, եւ ի հայրապետութեան տեառն Կոստանդեայ կաթուղիկոսի, որ սրբազան վարիւք իւրովք առ հասարակ զարմացուցանէր (Fol. 407v) զբազումս մինչ զի եւ յարտաքնոցն առաւել ընդունէր վկայութիւն զանհամեմատ վարուցն իւրոյ մաքրութեան: Հեզ էր եւ ողորմած և բազում բարութեանց լինէր աւրինակ: Ուստի եւ եղբաւրորդին իւր Թորոս քահանա, ի նմանէ ուսեալ լինէր գրասէր եւ աստուածասէր: Զմըտաւ ածեալ Թէ ամեանայն որ ինչ յերկրէ ընծայեալ նութք ընդ սոյն կորնչել ունին, եւ որ յաւիտեան մնայ բան տեառն է: Վասն այսորիկ եռափափաք սիրով ստանայր մատեանս աստուածաշունչս ի հին եւ նոր կըտակարանաց, եւ զամենայն գոյս եւ զարարս գոգջիր եթէ ջանայր դնել ի վերա նոցա եւ այլ եւս զարդուց սրբոյ եկեղեցւոյ: Վասն զի յոյժ տաւնասէր էր այրն, եւ պայծառացուցիչ եկեղեցական կարգաց, նմին իրի ստանայր կրկին անգամ զը- (Fol. 408) մատեան սրբոյ աւետարանիս յիմմէ անարժանութենէ Թորոսէ մականուն Ռաւսլին կոչեցելոյ, որ եւ ըստ կարի իմում յանգ հանի Աստուծով զհրաման նորա, նոյնպէս զարդարեալ ոսկւով սրբով եւ երանգ երանգ գունաւք ներքոյ եւ արտաքոյ ընդելուզեալ քարամբք պատուականաւք, առ ի սիրելի առնել զսա մանգանց սրբոյ եկեղեցւոյ: Վասն որոյ աղաչեմ զձեզ ով աստուածասէրք որք հանդիպիք նմա, եւ որք ժառանգէք զսա յիշել աղաւթիւք ի տէր զարժանաւորսն ամենայն բարեաց յիշատակի զբարեպաշտ արքայն Հեթում եւ զսրբահոգի թագուհին իւր Զապիլ, դուստր Լեւոնի արքայի, եւ Աստուծով զորդիս սոցա զըպարոն Լեւոն եւ զպարոն Թորոս եւ զամենայն նախնիս իւրեանց, որք եւ անուանին Ռոբինեանք: Յիշել աղաչեմ եւ (Fol. 408v) զթագաւորահայրն պարոն Կոստնդին ուստերաւք եւ դստերաւք եւ ամենայն զարմիւք: Յիշեսջիք եւ զերջանիկ հայրապետն Հայոց տէր Կոստանդին եւ զհայր իւր Վահրամ եւ զմայր իւր Շուշիկ եւ զեղբարսն իւր զԳորգ եւ զԳրիգոր, եւ զըպարկեշտուհի քորսն իւր Շուշանիկ եւ Վանենի: Աղաչեմ յիշել եւ զքաջակրաւն քահանայն Թորոս զստացաւղ սուրբ մատենիս, եւ զհայրն իւր Գորգ քահանայ եւ զմայրն իւր զԱզիզ, եւ զեղբարսն իւր զաստուածապատիւ եպիսկոպոսն զտէր Ստեփանոս եւ զԳրիգոր նորին հարազատ, եւ զըքոր իւր Շուշանիկ եւ զդստերսն իւր Մլքի եւ Շուշան, եւ զմայր սոցա Տալիթա կանուխ վախճանեցելոյ զկենցաղս, եւ զհաւրեղբաւրորդիսն իւր զԳրիգոր եւ (Fol. 409) զՍտեփաննոս եւ զԹորոս եւ զամենայն ազգաինս իւր: Յիշել աղաչեմ եւ զբարի շաղաւիղ որդին իւր պարոն Ստեփաննոս իշխանական պատուով զինուրեալ ի դրան արքայի, եւ զամուսին նորա զտիկին Ակաց ի մեծ տոհմէ, եւ զուստերս սոցա եւ զդստերս: Որոց ամենայն յիշելեացս առ հասարակ Քրիստոս Աստուած ննջեցելոցն հանգիստ եւ ողորմութիւն պարգեւեսցէ եւ զկենդաիսն անխռով խաղաղութեամբ պահեսցէ, ամէն: Յերեսս անգեալ բազմամեղ թարմատար գրիչս աղաչեմ յիշել եւ զիմ անարժանութիւն եւ զծնաւղսն իմ, եւ զամենայն բարի ուսուցիչսն իմ եւ Աստուած զձեզ յիշեսցէ յիւրում արքայութիւնն եւ ի փառս ամմէն: Fol. 409 in bolorgir. Կազմցօ սուրբ աւետարանս ի թվին ռհե (= 1626) ի քաղաքն ի Սեբաստեայ ի դուռն սուրբ Աստուածածնին. ձեռամբ սուտ անուն մեղօք լցեալ Մելիքսէթ դպիրս եւ զուսցիչն իմ զՄելիքսէթ վարդապետն որ հանգուցեալ է ի Քրիստոս, որ բազում աշխատ(ե)ցօ ընդ իս եւ ուսուց արհեստս զայս: Ով ընթերձող քահանայք զձեզ որ մեկ հայր մեղայիւ մի յիշէք զմեզ աղաչեմ, աղաչեմ: Fol. 409v in bolorgir. Զմեղաւք դատապարտեալ կազմող սորա զԱռաքել Հնազանդենց եւ զծնաւղսն իմ եւ զհարազատն իմ զՊաւղոս սարկաւագ [SDN 87 sec. column] եւ զուսուցիչն իմ զՍարգիս քահանայ զհանգուցեալսն ի Քրիստոս աղաչեմ յիշել ի տէր. ի թուին չժա (=1262) Fol. 409v in erkat‘agir. Դարձեալ ես բազմամեղս Թորոս ի թուին չժե (= 1266) ետու զսուրբ աւետարանս ի սուրբ ուխտն Արքակաղին կոչեցեալ, ի ձեռն տէր Սիոնի եպիսկոպոսի եւ խնդրեցի ի նմանէ զի ի յիշատակի նախավկաին զպատարագն իմ ծնաւղացն եւ հոգեւոր տիրոջն եւ ինձ մատուսցեն զինչ յայ(ն)մ աւուր պատարագ մատուցանի, եւ որք զխնդրուածս մեր կատարեն Քրոստոս Աստուած զիւրեանցն կատարեսցէ: Զսահմանս զայս միաբան եղբայրութիւնն յանձն էառ, եւ որք զկնի մեր գան կատարեսցեն զայս: (in bolorgir) ի Թորոս բազմամեղ
3. Translation: Fol. 406v Glory to you, infinite name and incomparable individuality, Father and Son and Spirit. You who gave ability and were succor for my weakness, as I reached the end of this desirable book. Blessing to you Holy Trinity and consubstantial Godhead, now and always. Through the grace of the Lord (this work was) begun and through the mercy of the same this book speaking of God, that has received God, this adorable, worshipful holy Gospels, was finished and brought to completion in the year seven hundred and eleventh year of the Armenian reckoning (= 1262 CE). In this much frequented see of Hŕomkla under the protection of the churches where God dwells, which (are dedicated to) the name of the Holy Savior and the Holy Mother of God and our Holy Illuminator and a further multitude of saints. In the time of the God-loving and devout king Het‘um and during the Patriarchate of Catholikos Lord Kostandin, who through his sacred conduct always amazed the multitudes, so that he received even more from those in the world witness about the incomparable purity of his conduct. He was meek and merciful and was an example for (the performance of) many good deeds. Thus also his nephew [brother’s son] T‘oros the priest had learned from him and loved writing and loved God. Considering that all matter that is given by the earth must perish with it, and that that which remains eternally is the word of the Lord. Because of this he received with exceedingly desirable love the divine inspired books of the Old and New Testaments, and you might say that he tried to place all things and creatures and other embellishments for the holy Church in them. Because the man was exceedingly fond of celebrations, and rendered illustrious the church’s institutions, therefore he received once more the book of this holy gospels from my unworthiness T‘oros nicknamed Ŕawslin, who according to my capacity finished through God his commandment, likewise decorated with pure gold and a variety of colors encased in the inside and the outside with precious stones, in order to render it dear to the children of the holy Church. Because of which I implore you, o pious ones who chance upon this (Gospel), and who inherit this, to remember in (your) prayers to the Lord those who are worthy of all good memory, the devout king Het‘um and his saintly queen Zabil [Zabel], daughter of King Levon, and in God their sons, Baron Levon and Baron T‘oros and all their forefathers, who are also called Ŕupenids [Ŕubinean]. I implore you to remember the father of the king, Baron Kostandin with (his) sons and daughters and all (their) offspring. Remember also the blessed Patriarch of the Armenians Lord Kostandin and his father, Vahram, and his mother, Šušik, and his brothers, Gorg and Grigor, and his devout sisters, Šušanik and Vaneni. I also implore (you) to remember also the very religious priest T‘oros, the commissioner of this holy book, and his father, Gorg the priest, and his mother, Aziz, and his brother, the bishop Lord Step‘anos honored by God, and Grigor his relative, and his sister, Šušanik and his daughters Mlk‘i and Šušan and their mother Talit‘a who departed early from this life, and his cousins [sons of his father’s brother] Grigor and Step‘annos and T‘oros and all his relatives. I implore (you) to remember also the good branch [offspring] his son Baron Step‘annos, who performed military service with princely honor at the royal court, and his spouse lady Akac‘ from the great house, and their sons and daughters. To all of those remembered ones that are deceased may Christ God grant rest and mercy and may he preserve the living ones in unperturbed peace, amen. Prostrate, I implore (you) to remember this sinful, abject copyist and my unworthiness and my parents and all my good teachers and may God remember you in his kingdom and glory, amen. Fol. 409 (in bolorgir) This holy Gospels was bound in the year 1075 (= 1626) in the city of Sebastia at the gate of the (church of the) Holy Mother of God by the falsely named deacon Melik'set', filled with sins, and my teacher vardapet (doctor of theology) Melik'set', who is deceased in Christ, who worked much with me and taught me this craft. O priests who read this, I beseech you, I beseech you, that you remember us with one "Father I have sinned". Fol. 409v (in bolorgir) The binder of this (book), damned through his sins, Aŕak‘el Hnazandenc‘, and my parents and my relative Połos the deacon and my teacher Sargis the priest deceased in Christ, I implore to remember in Christ the Lord. In the year 511 (= 1262 CE). Fol. 409v (in erkat'agir) Again I, T‘oros (burdened with) many sins, in the year 515 (= 1266) gave this holy gospel to the holy monastery called Ark‘akałin, through bishop Sion and I asked him that in memory of the Protomartyr the mass may be offered for my parents and my spiritual father and me, which(ever) mass may be offered that day and that God may fulfill the wishes of those who fulfill our request. This stipulation the monastic brotherhood took upon itself, and may they who come after us fulfill it. Fol. 409v (in bolorgir) By T'oros (the) manifold sinner

Parchment

Parchment of medium weight, well finished but worn from use

Foliation: ii+410

Two sets of numbers: old ink pagination, middle of upper margins, and modern pencil foliation, upper right corners, rectos (used here)

Formula: 1(12), 2(10,-8), 3(10,-9), 4-5(8), 6(12,-1,-6,-8,-11), 7(10,-2,-10), 8-10(8), 11(10,-5,-7), 12(8), 13(10,-3), 14(10,-4,-8), 15(12,-6,-8), 16-18(8), 19(10,-2,-8), 20(10,-9), 21(10,-7), 22-24(8), 25(10,-2), 26(10,-4), 27-37(8), 38(10,-3), 39-44(8), 45(8,-2), 46(10,-4), 47(8), 48(10,-2,-8), 49(8), 50(8,-1,-3,-6,-7)

Catchwords: None

Signatures: The quires are numbered from 1 to 49, beginning with fol. 1, by uncial letters written in the lower margin on the first and last page of each quire. The last gathering (fols. 407-410) is not numbered

Comments: The portraits of the Evangelists are on conjugate leaves; the other full-page miniatures are painted on inserted single leaves, the reverses of which are left blank. One leaf has been cut out between fols. 367 and 368 with John 11:45-51. The text would have covered a little over one page; there must have been, therefore, a large miniature, probably of the Raising of Lazarus. Quires begin on fols. 1(1), 13(2), 22(3), 31(4), 39(5), 47(6), 55(7), 63(8), 71(9), 79(10), 87(11), 95(12), 103(13), 112(14), 120(15), 130(16), 138(17), 146(18), 154(19), 162(20), 171(21), 180(22), 188(23), 196(24), 204(25), 213(26), 222(27), 230(28), 238(29), 246(30), 254(31), 262(32), 270(33), 278(34), 286(35), 294(36), 302(37), 310(38), 319(39), 327(40), 335(41), 343(42), 351(43), 359(44), 367(45), 374(46), 383(47), 391(48), 399(49), 407(50)

21.5 cm wide by 30.0 cm high

14.0 cm wide by 19.5 cm high

1. Columns: 2
2. Ruled lines: 17
3. Layout does not apply to decorated text pages, i.e. the Eusebius letter (fols. 1v-2r), canon tables (fols. 3v-10r), the dedication inscription (fols. 11v-12r), or the incipit pages for the Gospels (14r, 131r, 201r, 318r)

fols. 1r - 410v:

1. Title: Gospel Book
2. Scribe: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
3. Artist: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
4. Text note: Incomplete; missing page between fols. 367 and 368, which contained John 11:45-51, and must have also had a miniature, probably the Raising of Lazarus
5. Decoration note: Extensively illuminated with full-page, half-page, and column miniatures. The initials of the first three Gospels are formed by the symbol of the Evangelist; for the fourth, the symbol of John is perched in the vertical band of the initial. The first page of each Gospel and the initials of the lessons are illuminated floriate letters. the first two lines of each lesson. the initials of the verses, the nomina sacra and the brief colophons on fols. 129v, 199r, and 317r are written on a gold ground. The title of each Gospel is written in small uncials under the head-piece and, again, in large uncials at the end of the Gospel. Text in black ink.

fols. 1v - 2r:

1. Title: Letter of Eusebius to Carpianus
2. Scribe: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
3. Artist: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
4. Text note: Complete

fols. 3v - 10r:

1. Title: Canon Tables
2. Scribe: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
3. Artist: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
4. Text note: Complete
5. Decoration note: Ornamental arcades, unusual in inclusion of prophets in lunettes: Isaiah (fol. 5v), Jeremiah (fol. 6r), Jonah (fol. 9v), Zechariah (fol. 10r)

fols. 11v - 12:

1. Title: Dedication
2. Scribe: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
3. Artist: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
4. Text note: Complete
5. Decoration note: Decorated arcade, similar to canons but with blue text against gold ground

fols. 13v - 406v:

1. Title: Gospels
2. Scribe: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
3. Artist: Tʻoros Ṛoslin
4. Text note: Complete except for John 11:45-51, which is wanting between fols. 367 and 368. Fols. 13v-129v: Gospel of Matthew; fols. 130v-200r: Gospel of Mark; fols. 200v-310v: Gospel of Luke; fols. 317v-406v: Gospel of John.
5. Decoration note: Evangelist portraits fols. 13v, 130v, 200v, 317v; numerous marginal and full-page illuminations throughout

fol. 1v:

1. 
2. Title: Decorated page with image of Eusebius
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Letter of Eusebius to Carpianus
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Eusebius," and the scroll he holds reads "Eusebius to his brother Carpianus."

fol. 2r:

1. 
2. Title: Decorated page with image of Carpianus
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Letter of Eusebius to Carpianus
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Carpianus."

fol. 3v:

1. 
2. Title: Canon Table
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canon I

fol. 4r:

1. 
2. Title: Canon Table
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canon II

fol. 5v:

1. 
2. Title: Canon Table with Isaiah
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canons II and III
5. Comment:

   Isaiah holds a scroll reading "Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call" (Isaiah 7:14).

fol. 6r:

1. 
2. Title: Canon table with Jeremiah
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canons IV and V
5. Comment:

   Jeremiah holds a scroll which reads: "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentations" (Jeremiah 31:15).

fol. 7v:

1. 
2. Title: Canon Table
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canons V and VI

fol. 8r:

1. 
2. Title: Canon Table
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canons VII and VIII

fol. 9v:

1. 
2. Title: Canon Table with Jonah
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canons IX and X
5. Comment:

   Jonah holds a scroll which reads "Three days and three nights" and "Jonah."

fol. 10r:

1. 
2. Title: Canon Table with Zechariah
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Eusebian Canon X
5. Comment:

   Zechariah holds a scroll which reads "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, behold they King cometh" (Zechariah 9:19).

fol. 11v:

1. 
2. Title: Dedicatory inscription
3. Form: Full-page miniature

fol. 12r:

1. 
2. Title: Dedicatory inscription
3. Form: Full-page miniature

fol. 13v:

1. 
2. Title: Portrait of the Evangelist Matthew
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to St. Matthew

fol. 14r:

1. 
2. Title: Opening of the Gospel of Matthew
3. Form: Decorated headpiece and historiated initial
4. Text: Matthew 1:1

fol. 15r:

1. 
2. Title: The Ancestors of Christ
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 1:2-11
5. Comment:

   The names are the following, beginning from the left and going down each of the four columns: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judas, Salmon, Booz, Esrom, Aram, Aminadab, Thamar, Rachab, Ruth, David, Solomon, Roboam, Ozias, Manasses, Josias, Bathsheba, Joatham, Achaz, Ezekias, Amon, and Jechonias.

fol. 17r:

1. 
2. Title: Joseph's dream
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 1:20
5. Comment:

   The inscriptions are "Joseph in his dream," "the angel," and "fear not."

fol. 19r:

1. 
2. Title: The return of the Magi
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Matthew 2:12
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "The Magi return to their country."

fol. 19v:

1. 
2. Title: An angel
3. Form: Marginal image
4. Text: Matthew 2:13

fol. 20v:

1. 
2. Title: The Holy Family return to Israel
3. Form: Marginal image
4. Text: Matthew 2:21

fol. 23r:

1. 
2. Title: The Baptism of Christ
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 3:16
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Baptism."

fol. 24v:

1. 
2. Title: Angels minister to Christ in the wilderness
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Matthew 4:11

fol. 38r:

1. 
2. Title: Cleansing of the leper
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 8:2-3
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "A leper prostrated himself."

fol. 39v:

1. 
2. Title: Healing of Christ's mother-in-law; she then ministers to the disciples
3. Form: Column miniatures
4. Text: Matthew 8:14-15

fol. 40r:

1. 
2. Title: The sick and the possessed
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Matthew 8:16
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "The sick and the possessed."

fol. 41v:

1. 
2. Title: The healing of the Gadarene demoniacs
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 8:28-34

fol. 44v:

1. 
2. Title: The raising of the daughter of Jairus
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Matthew 9:23-25

fol. 48r:

1. 
2. Title: Prediction of the sufferings of the Apostles
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 10:17-20
5. Comment:

   Christ's scroll reads "whosoever shall confess before me" (Matt, 10:32), and "be of good cheer: I have overcome the world" (Jn, 16:33). The inscription to the right of the king reads "He forces to sacrifice to the idols." The inscription above the nimbed man reads "Those who took...." In the lower register, the inscription reads, from left to right "Those who were delivered to the fire," "to serpents," "to wild beasts," "to torments," "to the sword." An inscription by a later hand above the last scene reads "he cuts the tongue."

fol. 66r:

1. 
2. Title: Herod's banquet, and the burial of John the Baptist
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 14:11-12
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Herod's supper."

fol. 67r:

1. 
2. Title: The feeding of the five thousand
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 14:19-21

fol. 68r:

1. 
2. Title: Jesus walks on the sea
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 14:28-31

fol. 73v:

1. 
2. Title: Peter testifies to Jesus Christ
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Matthew 16:16

fol. 83v:

1. 
2. Title: Jesus blesses the children
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 19:13-15
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "And he laid his hands on them."

fol. 84v:

1. 
2. Title: The rich young man
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Matthew 19:22

fol. 88v:

1. 
2. Title: The blind men of Jericho
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Matthew 20:30

fol. 90v:

1. 
2. Title: Christ curses the fig tree
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Matthew 21:19

fol. 104r:

1. 
2. Title: The sign of the Son of Man appearing in Heaven
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 24:30

fol. 106v:

1. 
2. Title: The wise and foolish virgins
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Matthew 25:1

fol. 109v:

1. 
2. Title: The Last Judgment
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 25:31-46
5. Comment:

   The title of the image is "The Second Coming of Jesus Christ." The inscription on the angels' scroll reads "and they will roll the heavens as parchment" (Isaiah 34:4). The inscription above the apostles reads "you will sit on twelve thrones to judge the twelve [tribes]" (Matt. 19:28). Above the women, on the extreme left, the inscription reads "the foolish virgins," and in the center, "Adam and Eve." In the river of fire, the inscription reads "a stream issued and came forth from before him" (Daniel 7:10). Lower down, the inscription reads "depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire" (Matt. 25:41). The inscription next to Abraham reads "thou receivedst thy good things" (Luke 16:25).

fol. 116v:

1. 
2. Title: The Betrayal of Christ
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 26:47-56
5. Comment:

   The inscription next to the man on the extreme right reads "I wish to flee."

fol. 119r:

1. 
2. Title: The cock crows; Peter repentant
3. Form: Marginal illustrations
4. Text: Matthew 26:74-75

fol. 124r:

1. 
2. Title: The Crucifixion
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 27:35-48
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Crucifixion of the Lord."

fol. 125r:

1. 
2. Title: The Descent from the Cross and Entombment
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Matthew 27:59
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Burial of the Lord."

fol. 126v:

1. 
2. Title: Joseph of Arimathea before Pilate
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Matthew 27:58
5. Comment:

   The inscriptions read "Joseph asks for the body" and "Pilate marvels."

fol. 128r:

1. 
2. Title: The Holy Women at the sepulcher
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Matthew 28:1-7
5. Comment:

   The inscriptions read "Come, see the place," "Magdalene," and "the other Mary."

fol. 128v:

1. 
2. Title: The soldiers bribed by the chief priests
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Matthew 28:12

fol. 130v:

1. 
2. Title: Portraihttp://walters-mss.org/catalog/468/manuscript_show?page=1#piece_listt of the Evangelist Mark
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to St. Mark

fol. 131r:

1. 
2. Title: The opening of Mark's Gospel with his symbol
3. Form: Decorated headpiece and historiated initial
4. Text: Mark 1:1

fol. 132v:

1. 
2. Title: Angels minister to Christ
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Mark 1:13

fol. 134r:

1. 
2. Title: Healing of the demoniac
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Mark 1:23-27

fol. 137r:

1. 
2. Title: The paralytic healed
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Mark 2:12

fol. 148v:

1. 
2. Title: Healing of the woman with the issue of blood
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Mark 5:25-34

fol. 149r:

1. 
2. Title: The servant of Jairus
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Mark 5:35
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Thy daughter is dead."

fol. 153r:

1. 
2. Title: The head of John the Baptist
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Mark 6:27

fol. 163r:

1. 
2. Title: Transfiguration
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Mark 9:2-7
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Transfiguration of the Lord."

fol. 174r:

1. 
2. Title: Entry into Jerusalem
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Mark 11:7-10
5. Comment:

   The inscription on the scroll held by the prophet reads "Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion" (Zechariah, 9:9).

fol. 175r:

1. 
2. Title: Fig tree
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Mark 11:13

fol. 182r:

1. 
2. Title: Temple of Jerusalem
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Mark 13:1

fol. 190r:

1. 
2. Title: Judas leads the multitude
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Mark 14:43
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Judas, having taken the band, leads them."

fol. 191r:

1. 
2. Title: Apostle fleeing
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Mark 14:51-52

fol. 193r:

1. 
2. Title: The cock crows
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Mark 14:72

fol. 193v:

1. 
2. Title: Cross
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Mark 15:1

fol. 195r:

1. 
2. Title: Mocking of Christ
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Mark 15:16-19

fol. 200v:

1. 
2. Title: Portrait of the Evangelist Luke
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Holy Gospel of Jesus Christ, According to St. Luke

fol. 201r:

1. 
2. Title: Opening of the Gospel of Luke
3. Form: Decorated headpiece and historiated initial
4. Text: Luke 1:1

fol. 203v:

1. 
2. Title: Annunciation: Gabriel
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Luke 1:26-38

fol. 204r:

1. 
2. Title: Annunciation: Mary
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Luke 1:26-38

fol. 205r:

1. 
2. Title: Visitation
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Luke 1:39-40

fol. 208r:

1. 
2. Title: Journey to Bethlehem
3. Form: Column miniature
4. Text: Luke 2:4-5
5. Comment:

   The inscription reads "Joseph going to be taxed."

fol. 208v:

1. 
2. Title: Nativity and the Adoration of the shepherds
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Luke 2:7 and 2:16
5. Comment:

   The inscriptions read "Joseph," "Mary," and "the shepherds came in haste and found."

fol. 209r:

1. 
2. Title: Angel, and sheep
3. Form: Marginal illustrations
4. Text: Luke 2:8-9

fol. 210r:

1. 
2. Title: Temple
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Luke 2:22-24

fol. 210v:

1. 
2. Title: Turtledoves and pigeons
3. Form: Marginal illustrations
4. Text: Luke 2:22-24

fol. 211r:

1. 
2. Title: Presentation of the Christ Child in the temple
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Luke 2:25-38

fol. 213v:

1. 
2. Title: Christ among the doctors
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Luke 2:44-50
5. Comment:

   The inscriptions read "The learned in the law," "I must be in my Father's house," and "His mother and father." The inscriptions on the scrolls held by the doctors read "Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart" (Deuteronomy 6:4-5), "Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour" (Exodus 20:8-9), and "I am the Lord thy God" (Exodus, 20:2).

fol. 218r:

1. 
2. Title: Ancestors of Christ
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Luke 3:34-38
5. Comment:

   The names are inscribed as the following, beginning from the left, and going up: Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Thara, Nachor, Saruch; Ragau, Phalec, Heber, Sala, Cainan, Arphaxad; Sem, Noe, Lamech, Mathusala, Enoch, Jared; Maleleel, Cainan, Enos, Seth, Adam, and God-Jesus Christ.

fol. 223v:

1. 
2. Title: Miracle of the draught of fishes
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Luke 5:3-10

fol. 265v:

1. 
2. Title: Flames rising from bowl
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Luke 12:49

fol. 274r:

1. 
2. Title: The lost sheep
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Luke 15:4

fol. 305r:

1. 
2. Title: Christ before the High Priest; Denial of Peter
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: Luke 22:54-61
5. Comment:

   On the left side, the inscriptions read "The house of the high priest," "I adjure thee by God," as well as "And Jesus turned and looked upon Peter." Next to the soldier, the inscription reads "He mocks him." On the right side, the inscriptions read "The maid," "Thou art of them," and "Peter began to curse and to swear, I do not know [him]."

fol. 316v:

1. 
2. Title: Ascension
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: Luke 24:50-51

fol. 317v:

1. 
2. Title: Portrait of John and Prochoros
3. Form: Full-page miniature

fol. 321r:

1. 
2. Title: The Lamb of God
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 1:36

fol. 326v:

1. 
2. Title: Cross (above the ornament)
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 3:14

fol. 331r:

1. 
2. Title: Dove of the Holy Ghost
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 4:24

fol. 331v:

1. 
2. Title: Christ and the woman from Samaria
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: John 4:6-30
5. Comment:

   The inscription on the left side reads "Jesus being wearied with his journey sat on the well. There cometh a woman from Samaria to draw water" (John 4:6-7). The inscription above the apostles reads "Then came his disciples and marvelled," (John 4:27), and on the right side, it reads "They went out of the city and found" (John 4:30).

fol. 358r:

1. 
2. Title: The Pharisees question the man born blind and his parents
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: John 9:15-21
5. Comment:

   The inscriptions read "The Pharisees," "I was blind and now," and "the parents."

fol. 362r:

1. 
2. Title: Temple of Jerusalem
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 10:22

fol. 369r:

1. 
2. Title: Christ anointed at the house of Lazarus
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: John 12:1-8
5. Comment:

   The inscription above the veiled man reads "Lazarus."

fol. 378v:

1. 
2. Title: Dove of the Holy Ghost
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: Jophn 14:15-16

fol. 379r:

1. 
2. Title: Descent of the Holy Ghost
3. Form: Full-page miniature
4. Text: John 14:12-17 (on opposite page)
5. Comment:

   The inscription in the arched opening reads "Parthians, Medes, and Elamites."

fol. 383v:

1. 
2. Title: Dove of the Holy Ghost
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 15:26

fol. 384v:

1. 
2. Title: Dove of the Holy Ghost
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 16:7

fol. 387v:

1. 
2. Title: Dove of the Holy Ghost
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 16:32

fol. 392r:

1. 
2. Title: Denial of Peter
3. Form: Half-page miniature
4. Text: John 18:16
5. Comment:

   The inscriptions read "The door," "the maid," "you are verily one of them," "Peter," and "I do not know."

fol. 393r:

1. 
2. Title: The cock crows
3. Form: Marginal illustration
4. Text: John 18:27

The binding is not original.

Brown stamped leather with flap and three straps. The latter are modern replacements attached to the lower cover by old engraved silver sheaths, which swivel on rosettes, and loop over ornamental silver pegs on the upper cover. At the center of the upper cover is nailed a large jeweled silver-gilt plaque shaped as a cross. This is flanked by four small gilt-metal crucifixes cast in relief, and four corner pieces with representations in relief of the symbols of the Evangelists. Inscription on the upper crucifix on the left: "This holy cross is a memorial for the soul of Mkrtitchm in the year 1092" (1643 CE); on the right: "This holy cross is a memorial for the soul of Hovannes, 1092" (1643 CE). Inscription on the triangular base of the large cross: "This is the work of the deacon Mik'ayel. Whoever remembers [me], may he be blessed by God. Father, I have sinned." Framing the upper cover is a silver band, 3 cm wide, engraved with floral and geometric designs and nielloed.

Copied and illuminated by T'oros Roslin, 1262, at the patriarchal see of Hromkla for the priest T'oros, nephew of the catholicos Constantine I (see colophons, fols. 11v-12r and 406v-409v)

The priest T'oros presented it to the hermitage of Ark'akaghin in Cilicia, 1262, through the intermediary of Bishop Sion (see colophon, fol. 409v)

Patuakan, a native of Sebastia, took it back from "infidels" who had taken it, and presented it to Ter Tiratur in 1604 (see fol. 3)

Church of the Holy Virgin, Sebastia, as of 1626, and rebound there by the deacon Melk'iset in 1643

Church of the Holy Cross, Sebastia, by 1881, known from notices dated 1881, 1886, and 1904, stamped with the seal of Petros, Bishop of Sebastia, and stating it had been moved to that church (see fol. 13r); remained in Sebastia until the mass deportation of the Armenian population in 1915

Acquired by Henry Walters in Paris, 1929, and remained in his possession at his New York residence until his death; therefore not included in the 1931 bequest to the Walters Art Gallery

March 1935, given to The Walters Art Gallery by Mrs. Henry Walters

Diringer, David. The Illuminated Book: Its History and Production. London: Faber & Faber, 1958.

"Bulletin Codicologique." Scriptorium 26 (1972): pp. 130-246, p. 160 n. 154, p. 208 n. 402.

Randall, Lilian M. C. "Illuminated Manuscripts: Masterpieces in Miniature." The Walters Art Gallery Bulletin 37, no. 6 (1984): pp. 1-2.

Thanks are expressed to Professor Bernard Coulie (Université catholique de Louvain, Louvain-la-Neuve) for kindly making available his bibliography on the Armenian manuscripts kept in the Walters Art Museum.

Mathews, Thomas F. Armenian Gospel Iconography: The Tradition of the Glajor Gospel. Washington, D.C. : Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, 1991, figs. 35a, 92b, 453a, 480b.

Miner, Dorothy. "Since De Ricci--Western Illuminated Manuscripts Acquired since 1934." Journal of the Walters Art Gallery 31-32 (1966): pp. 68-103.

Mathews, Thomas F. "L'Arménie en Amérique." Connaissance des Arts 506 (1994): pp. 90-97, p. 95, fig. 5.

Burin, Elizabeth. "Armenian Manuscript Illumination: Art from Christianity's Eastern Frontier." The Walters Art Gallery Bulletin 47, no. 6 (1994): pp. 4-5.

Mathews, Thomas F. and Roger S. Wieck, eds. Treasures in Heaven: Armenian Illuminated Manuscripts. New York: Pierpont Morgan Library, 1994, pp. 149-50, figs. 47, 48, pls. 12-14.

Der Nersessian, Sirarpie, and Sylvia Agemian. Miniature Painting in the Armenian Kingdom of Cicilia from the Twelfth to the Fourteenth Century. Dumbarton Oaks Studies 31. Washington, D.C.: Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection. 1993.

Mahoney, Lisa. "T'oros Roslin and the Representation of Pagan Threat." Journal of the Walters Art Museum 68-69 (2010-2011): pp. 67-76, pp. 68-69, fig. 1 (fols. 203v, 204r), p. 71, figs. 3 (fol. 191r), 4 (fol. 38r), 5 (fol. 40r), 6 (fol. 66r), p. 72, fig. 7 (fol. 48r), p. 73 (fol. 19r).

"Comptes Rendus." Scriptorium 33 (1979): p. 327.

Der Nersessian, Sirarpie. Armenian Manuscripts in the Walters Art Gallery. Baltimore: Walters Art Gallery, 1973, pp. 10-30, no. 3.

Nersessian, Vrej. Treasures from the Ark: 1700 Years of Armenian Christian Art. London: British Library, 2001, p. 225, fig. 159.

Sanjian, Avedis K. A Catalogue of Medieval Armenian Manuscripts in the United States. Berkeley: University of California Press, 1976, pp. 273-287.

Der Nersessian, Sirarpie. Armenian Art. Trans. Sheila Bourne and Angela Olsen. London: Thames & Hudson, 1978, pp. 132-135, figs. 95-97.

Walters Art Gallery. Handbook of the Collection. Baltimore: Walters Art Gallery, 1936, p. 95.

Miner, Dorothy, ed. Early Christian and Byzantine Art: An Exhibition Held at the Baltimore Museum of Art, April 25-June 22 [1947]. Baltimore: Trustees of the Walters Art Gallery, 1947, p. 148, no. 750, pl. CVII.

Nersessian, Sirarpie Der. Armenia and the Byzantine Empire: A Brief Study of Armenian Art and Civilization. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1945, pp. 126-27, pl. 28.

Carr, Annemarie Weyl. Cyprus and the Devotional Arts of Byzantium in the Era of the Crusades. Burlington: Ashgate/Variorum, 2005.

Principal catalogers: Der Nersessian, Sirarpie; Landau, Amy; van Lint, Theo M

Catalogers: Herbert, Lynley; Noel, William

Copy editor: Dibble, Charles

Conservators: Owen, Linda; Quandt, Abigail

Contributors: Bockrath, Diane; Emery, Doug; Pizzinato, Riccardo; Tabritha, Ariel; Toth, Michael B.

The Walters Art Museum

Licensed for use under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported Access Rights, http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0/legalcode. It is requested that copies of any published articles based on the information in this data set be sent to the curator of manuscripts, The Walters Art Museum, 600 North Charles Street, Baltimore MD 21201.