The Gospel of Queen Keran
Sis, Cilicia, 1272 A.D.
Հայոց Կեռան Թագուհու Ավետարանի
Պոկված Մանրանկարների Դարձը Երուսաղէմ
Reverend Dr. Nerses Vrej Nersessian
London
2011
The repatriation of the two vandalised miniatures to St James’ Jerusalem after a century
The Gospel of Queen Keran
Sis, Cilicia, 1272 A.D.
Հայոց Կեռան Թագուհու Ավետարանի
Պոկված Մանրանկարների Դարձը Երուսաղէմ
Reverend Dr. Nerses Vrej Nersessian
London
2011
The repatriation of the two vandalised miniatures to St James’ Jerusalem after a century
The integral part of an Armenian manuscript is its «Յիշատակարան», literally, "place of memory" – derived from the verb «յիշեմ» meaning "to remember, to recollect, to record" which incorporates every detail concerning the production of the manuscript including that of the scribe, artist, sponsor, binder and its owner. The primary purpose of the colophons was to perpetuate the memory of all those who had contributed to the production of the manuscripts, tying them all to the saving powers of the Armenian Church. From very early on the act of copying a manuscript or receiving a manuscript was considered as an act of piety. The instruction of Christ ‘lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust can corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal’ (Matthew 6:20). ‘The Zion’ is the church and ‘the child’ is the manuscript.
The deep sense of veneration with which manuscripts were regarded account for the abundance of various kinds of warning with respect to the proper handling of manuscripts, as well as anathemas against those who violated these injunctions.
And receive their fitting reward
(Khatchikyan, Colophons XVth century, vol. I, p. 158).








Curator in charge of the Christian Middle East section The British Library-Department of Asian and African Studies 96 Euston Road, London, NW1 2DB United Kingdom


1 comment
What about the stolen pages from Nor Jugha Soorp Amenaperkic
What I read is a piece of Armenian tragic history! Thousands of Bravo and Millions of thanks to Dr. Nerses Vrej Nersesian.
I hope he will be successfull also finding pages stolen from Nor Joogha.
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