Harklean Gospels

Harklean Gospels written in Syriac on parchment in Estrangela script by the scribe Isho’bar Romanos, completed in 1177 at the Church of the Holy Mother (Deipara Maria) situated near Tella d’Arsinos (modern Turkey). It was commissioned by the scribe’s uncle, Rabban Ahron, a priest and monk in Tella. The leather cover is ornamented with interlace borders, interlace cross on the front and an interlaced box on the back, possibly intended to represent the empty tomb. The Gospel book includes the Eusebian letter, canon tables, liturgical lessons, kephalaia (chapters), titles, colophons, and notes from the scribe. The canon tables, which occupy the first ten folios, are contained within architectural frames and decorated with a variety of birds, trees and flowers. This is followed by a stepped cross with interlace ornament and border, echoing the front cover. Square and circular interlaced medallions are found in the lower margin throughout. The manuscript has several dedications, autographs and dates, including a note that a man named Basil brought the parchment from Tur ‘Abdin and prepared it for use. A previous seal of ownership is found on the last folio with several notes written in