Bishop Sergije visits the Bavarian State Library
Church of Serbia- January 2016
The Munich “Serbian Psalter” and the issue of its facsimile reproduction under the auspices of the Diocese of Frankfurt and All Germany
His Grace Serbian Bishop Sergije of Frankfurt and All Germany, within his canonical visit to Munich on the feast of Saint John the Baptist and the Theophany, 18/19 January 2016, visited the Bavarian State Library in Munich.
The occasion for this visit was in an inspired intention and idea of His Grace Bishop Sergije to prepare for printing one of the most valuable documents of the Serbian Psalter iconography, the illuminated manuscript “Serbian Psalter” which is kept at vaults of the Manuscript department of this prestigious libraries, which with its size and diversity of literature is one of the few most important libraries in the world.
In a cordial and constructive discussion with Dr. Claudia Fabian, head of the Department for Manuscripts and Early Printed Books; Dr. Wolfgang-Valentin Ikas, head of the Division for Manuscripts and Reader Services, as well as Dr. Gudrun Wirtz, Head of the Department for Eastern Europe; and the team of associates – experts for rare manuscripts and early printed books, His Grace Bishop Sergije considered not just tourist questions for acquiring rights for printing or reproduction of this rare document, but also technical issues of the best quality facsimile reproduction of this literary monument of the Serbian sacred medieval literature.
On this occasion, in honour of the distinguished guests, the original of “Serbian Psalter” was showcased to Bishop Sergije and his delegation.
In the vault of the Department for Manuscripts and Early Printed Books of the Bavarian State Library in Munich there is also a luxurious manuscript of the “Serbian Psalter” (Der Serbische Psalter), under signature – Cod.slav. 4 Papier, 231 Blatt., Serbien – which originates from the end of 14th century, and which provenance is Benedictine monastery St. Emmeram in Regensburg in Bavaria.
This manuscript is considered as the most significant example of the Serbian medieval illuminated manuscript books. This Psalter is assumed to have been written during the time of Serbian Prince Lazar, who died on the Kosovo field in 1389 in the battle against the Turks, or his son, Despot Stefan Lazarevic.
“Serbian Psalter” unusually stands out as one of the most important Serbian artistic monuments from the last years of XIV century. It is precious also as the most expansive manuscript of the Serbian miniature painting and the work which contained itself much of those positive characteristics from which emerged the last great style of the old Serbian art, the Morava style. The particularity of this manuscript consists of 148 miniatures that partially with their formats fulfill entire pages, and which are under visible influence of Byzantine iconography of that time in Serbia.
According to watermarks on the paper, this Psalter dates back from between 1350 and 1395, or between 1370 and 1372. The Psalter was written in Church Slavonic of the Serbian version with Serbian uncial script. The first publication of these miniatures, which was prepared by V. Strzygowski and J. Jagic, was published in 1906. The organizer of the facsimile edition, the renowned art historian Hans Belting edited a monumental two-volume reprint edition at Dr. Ludwig Reichert Verlag Wiesbaden in 1978 as facsimiles.
Bishop Sergije was accompanied by Munich’s presbyter Ilija Romic, deacon Milutin Maric and protodeacon Zoran Andric.
