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Manuscripts
Illuminated Gospel Book
ወንጌል
The Four Gospels in Ge’ez, written in two columns with black and red ink. Each Gospel opens with a portrait of its Evangelist, and the canon tables are framed by painted arches and birds. The Gospel is read in every Divine Liturgy and is carried in procession under a ceremonial umbrella.
Why it matters
Ethiopian scribes prepared their own parchment from goatskin, cut reed pens and made inks from soot and plant dyes. A single Gospel could take months of work.
Object details
- Date
- c. 15th century
- Material
- Ink and pigments on parchment; wooden boards bound in leather
- Dimensions
- 32 × 24 cm, c. 220 folios
- Origin
- Monastic scriptorium
- Gallery
- Manuscripts
Look closely
- Ge’ez text in two columns
- Rubrics and holy names in red ink
- Interlaced “harag” ornament
- Bound between wooden boards
Illustrative record — to be replaced with the church’s documented object and photograph.