Georgian Patriarchate Welcomes Rare 10th-Century Manuscript from London

OCP News Service – 13/10/2024

Tbilisi -Georgia: On October 9,2024, an unique 10th-century manuscript known as the Codex Sinaiticus Rescriptus arrived in Georgia and was delivered to the Georgian Patriarchate. This historic event coincides with the commemoration of the Holy Apostle John the Theologian and the arrival of the copy of the icon of the All-Holy Mother of God of Iveria to Georgia.

The manuscript is a rare example of a palimpsest, meaning it contains two layers of writing. The earlier layer, dating back to 5th-7th century, is a Palestinian Aramaic text. The later layer, inscribed in 979, is a Georgian ecclesiastical text written by Ioane-Zosimes, a Georgian monk who resided at St. Saba’s Monastery near Jerusalem and later at St. Catherine’s Monastery on Mount Sinai. The Georgian text contains Gospel pericopes and two religious treatises.

The return of this priceless manuscript to Georgia was made possible by the generosity of Mr. Bidzina Ivanishvili, a prominent Georgian philanthropist, who purchased it at a Christie’s auction in London. He intends to donate the manuscript to the National Museum, where it will be preserved and studied by scholars.

The arrival of the Codex Sinaiticus Rescriptus was celebrated at the Georgian Patriarchate with a prayer service led by His Eminence Metropolitan Shio of Senaki and Chkhorotsqu, Locum Tenens of the Georgian Patriarchal Throne. The service was attended by dignitaries including Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze and members of the Cabinet of Ministers.

Metropolitan Shio expressed his deep gratitude for the manuscript’s return, signifying its cultural and religious significance to Georgia. This historic event provides an opportunity to study Georgian religious practices and the life of Ioane-Zosimes, a prominent figure in Georgian monastic history.

Source:
OCP News Service