5th-century Gospel manuscript sold at auction for €1.5 million
Pages of the Gospel sold at auction. Photo: ekhokavkaza.com
Georgian billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili, honorary chairman of the ruling party "Georgian Dream", acquired a 5th-7th century Gospel manuscript at Christie's auction in London for £1.5 million.
The manuscript by the 10th-century Georgian monk John-Zosimas, based on a 5th-7th century Scripture text, was sold for £1.25 million, according to the auction's website.
This is the so-called Sinai Rescriptus, Codex Sinaiticus Rescriptus, written on parchment in Aramaic and Georgian, consisting of 70 leaves.
The manuscript was auctioned in a 10th-century binding created in the Monastery of Saint Catherine on Sinai – the earliest known signed and dated manuscript binding.
The manuscript contains the earliest textual evidence of the Gospel in an Aramaic dialect closest to the one spoken by Jesus Christ. The texts were also rewritten by John-Zosimas in Georgian.
The palimpsest was auctioned under the label "Masterpieces from the Schøyen Collection" – the collection of Norwegian traveler and historian of the last century. His collection is considered the largest collection of ancient manuscripts in the world, numbering more than 13,000 items, the oldest of which is about 5,000 years old.
Bidzina Ivanishvili plans to donate it to the Georgian National Museum.
Previously, the UOJ reported that scientists deciphered the oldest fragment of the apocryphal "Gospel of Thomas".
Read also
Dumenko holds "service" at seized UOC church in Boyarka
On September 29, the head of the OCU performed a "divine service" at St. Michael's Church in Boyarka and rewarded the raider-rector.
UOC hierarchs mark 30th anniversary of Holovchyntsi Convent's revival
UOC bishops and clergy of the eparchy congratulated the abbess of the Transfiguration Convent and her sisters on the memorable date.
UOC cleric discusses life of Ukrainian parishes with Hungarian official
A UOC priest and a Hungarian official paid particular attention to issues of practical interaction between Ukrainian parishes and government authorities.
Ukrposhta issues stamp featuring Lavra for Soviet-era reserve's anniversary
The new postal block, issued in a print run of 40,000 copies, depicts the Lavra's churches, bell tower, and ancient frescoes.
Met. Theodosiy links his criminal case to ex-prosecutor named in NABU tapes
A Cherkasy court extended Metropolitan Theodosiy’s preventive measure for another two months – until November 29, 2026.
Stefanchuk: Seeking UCCRO-LGBT compromise on new Civil Code
The Verkhovna Rada speaker said the working group is seeking a broad public compromise as it revises the draft of the new Civil Code.