Uspenski Gospels
Encyclopedia
Uspenski Gospels, Minuscule 461 (in the Gregory-Aland numbering), ε 92 (Soden), are a New Testament
New Testament
The New Testament is the second major division of the Christian biblical canon, the first such division being the much longer Old Testament....

 minuscule manuscript written in Greek
Greek language
Greek is an independent branch of the Indo-European family of languages. Native to the southern Balkans, it has the longest documented history of any Indo-European language, spanning 34 centuries of written records. Its writing system has been the Greek alphabet for the majority of its history;...

, dated at 835
835
Year 835 was a common year starting on Friday of the Julian calendar.- Europe :* Ragnar Lodbrok rises to power ....

 AD. They are the oldest known dated manuscript of the New Testament: it was not customary for Greek scribes to date their work at the time.

Description

The codex contains complete text of the four Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...

s, on 344 parchment leaves, the leaves measure 16.7 cm by 10.7 cm. The text is written in one column per page, 19 lines per page, in minuscule letters. The margins are very wide, the column of writing occupies an area of 11,3 cm by 6 cm. The words are written continuously, usually without any separation (with some exceptions).

The letters are small and upright. The letters are regular and well-formed. They do not look like experimental ones in character. This type of handwriting was used for some time before this manuscript, according to Bruce M. Metzger, even more than half a century.

The headings of the Gospels and liturgical notes at the margin are written in uncial letters.
The nomina sacra
Nomina sacra
Nomina sacra means "sacred names" in Latin, and can be used to refer to traditions of abbreviated writing of several frequently occurring divine names or titles in early Greek language Holy Scripture...

 are written in an abbreviated way. It has also another abbreviations. It has ligatures, occasionally it has separate words.

The text is divided according to the κεφαλαια (chapters), whose numbers are given at the margin of the text. The chapters have their τιτλοι (titles of chapters) at the top of the pages. There is no another division according to the Ammonian Sections
Ammonian Sections
Eusebian canons or Eusebian sections, also known as Ammonian Sections, are the system of dividing the four Gospels used between late Antiquity and the Middle Ages. The divisions into chapters and verses used in modern texts date only from the 13th and 16th centuries, respectively...

, and no references to the Eusebian Canons.
It contains lectionary markings (liturgical notes) at the margin and the manuscript was prepared to the liturgical reading. At the margin of the beginning of the Gospel of Mark note specifies that the passage Mark 1:1-8 is appointed to be read on the Sunday before the Feast of Lights (τη κυριακη προ των Φωτων εαν φθασουν δυο κυριακας μεσον λεγεται τουτο εις την Β κυριακην).

Text

The codex is a representative of the Byzantine text-type
Byzantine text-type
The Byzantine text-type is one of several text-types used in textual criticism to describe the textual character of Greek New Testament manuscripts. It is the form found in the largest number of surviving manuscripts, though not in the oldest...

. Aland
Kurt Aland
Kurt Aland was a German Theologian and Professor of New Testament Research and Church History. He founded the Institut für neutestamentliche Textforschung in Münster and served as its first director for many years...

 placed it in Category V. It belongs to the textual family K1
Family K1
Family K1 is a small group of the New Testament manuscripts. It belongs to the Byzantine text-type as one of the textual families of this group. It has five uncials, and several early minuscules. It is one of the smallest subfamilies of the Byzantine text-type, but one of the oldest.- Description...

, the oldest form of the Byzantine text.

The texts of Matthew 16:2b–3 (the signs of the times), Luke 22:43-44
Christ's agony at Gethsemane
Christ's agony at Gethsemane is a passage in the Gospel of Luke , describing a prayer of Jesus, after which he receives strength from an angel, on the Mount of Olives prior to his betrayal and arrest...

 (Christ's agony at Gethsemane), and John 5:3.4, are marked with an asterisk
Asterisk
An asterisk is a typographical symbol or glyph. It is so called because it resembles a conventional image of a star. Computer scientists and mathematicians often pronounce it as star...

 (※) as doubtful. The text of Mark 16:8-20
Mark 16
Mark 16 is the final chapter of the Gospel of Mark in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. It begins with the discovery of the empty tomb by Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome — there they encounter a man dressed in white who announces the Resurrection of Jesus.Verse 8 ends...

 is not numbered by (chapters) at the margin and there is not the (titles) at the top.

The Pericope de adultera was omitted by the original scribe. It has been added in the margin by a much later hand.

In Luke 1:26 Nazareth is spelled in form Ναζαρετ (against Ναζαρεθ).

In John 1:45 it reads Ιησουν τον υιον Ιωσηφ (Jesus, son of Joseph) along with manuscripts: Alexandrinus
Codex Alexandrinus
The Codex Alexandrinus is a 5th century manuscript of the Greek Bible,The Greek Bible in this context refers to the Bible used by Greek-speaking Christians who lived in Egypt and elsewhere during the early history of Christianity...

, Cyprius
Codex Cyprius
Codex Cyprius, designated by Ke or 017 , ε 71 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the four Gospels, on parchment. It was variously dated in the past , currently it is dated to the 9th century. It was brought from Cyprus to Paris...

, Campianus
Codex Campianus
Codex Campianus designated by M or 021 , ε 72 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament, dated palaeographically to the 9th century...

, Macedoniensis
Codex Macedoniensis
Codex Macedoniensis or Macedonianus designated by Y or 034 , ε 073 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels, dated palaeographically to the 9th century. The manuscript is lacunose....

, Sangallensis, Petropolitanus, Uncial 047
Uncial 047
Uncial 047 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels. The codex is dated paleographically to the 8th century. Formerly the codex was designated by Hebrew letter ב...

, 7
Minuscule 7
Minuscule 7 ; ε 287 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century.- Description :...

, 8
Minuscule 8
Minuscule 8 , ε 164 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment. It is dated palaeographically to the 11th century. The manuscript has complex contents. It has complex contents anbd full marginalia.- Description :The codex contains the complete text of the four Gospels, on...

, 196
Minuscule 196
Minuscule 196 , Zε23 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century. It has marginalia.- Description :...

, 817
Minuscule 817 (Gregory-Aland)
Minuscule 817 , Θε52 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament written on paper, with a commentary. It was used by Erasmus...

, 1514, 1519; majority of the manuscripts read Ιησουν τον υιον του Ιωσηφ;

In John 3:2 it reads προς αυτον (to him), majority of manuscripts have προς τον Ιησουν (to Jesus); the reading of the codex is supported by Sinaiticus, Alexandrinus, Vaticanus, Cyprius, Regius, Vaticanus 354
Codex Vaticanus 354
Codex Vaticanus, designated by S or 028 , ε 1027 , formerly called Codex Guelpherbytanus, is a Greek manuscript of the four Gospels which can be dated to a specific year instead of an estimated range. The colophon of the codex lists the date as 949...

, Nanianus, Macedoniensis, Sangallensis, Koridethi, Tischendorfianus III
Codex Tischendorfianus III
Codex Tischendorfianus III – designated by siglum Λ or 039 , ε 77 – is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels on parchment...

, Petropolitanus, Atous Lavrensis, Athous Dionysiou
Codex Athous Dionysiou
Codex Athous Dionysiou, designated by Ω or 045 , ε 61 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament...

, Uncial 047
Uncial 047
Uncial 047 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels. The codex is dated paleographically to the 8th century. Formerly the codex was designated by Hebrew letter ב...

, Uncial 0211
Uncial 0211
Uncial 0211 , ε 051 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament, dated paleographically to the 7th century.- Description :...

, Minuscule 7
Minuscule 7
Minuscule 7 ; ε 287 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century.- Description :...

, 9
Minuscule 9
Minuscule 9 , ε 279 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century, but according to the colophon it was written in the year 1167....

, 565
Minuscule 565
Minuscule 565 , ε 93 , also known as the Empress Theodora's Codex. It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on purple parchment, dated palaeographically to the 9th century...

.

In John 4:1 it reads ο κυριος (the Lord) along with codices: Alexandrinus, Basilensis, Boreelianus
Codex Boreelianus
Codex Boreelianus, Codex Boreelianus Rheno-Trajectinus , designated by Fe or 09 in the Gregory-Aland numbering and ε 86 in von Soden numbering, is a 9th century uncial manuscript of the four Gospels in Greek. The manuscript, written on parchment, is full of lacunae , many of which arose between...

, Seidelianus I
Codex Seidelianus I
Codex Seidelianus I, designated by siglum Ge or 011 , ε 87 is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels, dated palaeographically to the 9th century . The codex contains 252 parchment leaves...

, Cyprius, Vaticanus 354
Codex Vaticanus 354
Codex Vaticanus, designated by S or 028 , ε 1027 , formerly called Codex Guelpherbytanus, is a Greek manuscript of the four Gospels which can be dated to a specific year instead of an estimated range. The colophon of the codex lists the date as 949...

, Nanianus
Codex Nanianus
Codex Nanianus, designated by siglum U or 030 , ε 90 , is a Greek uncial manuscripts of the New Testament on parchment, dated palaeographically to the 9th century. The manuscript has complex contents, with full marginalia . The codex is named after its last owner...

, Macedoniensis, Tischendorfianus IV
Codex Tischendorfianus IV
Codex Tischendorfianus IV – designated by Γ or 036 , ε 70 – is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels, dated palaeographically to the 10th century...

, Koridethi, Petropolitanus, 044, 045, 0141
Uncial 0141
Uncial 0141 , CL13 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament, dated palaeographically to the 10th century.- Description :...

, 0211
Uncial 0211
Uncial 0211 , ε 051 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament, dated paleographically to the 7th century.- Description :...

, 2
Minuscule 2
Codex Basiliensis A. N. IV. 1, known as Minuscule 2 , ε 1214 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, dated palaeographically to the 11th or 12th century. It was used by Erasmus in his edition of Greek text of the New Testament and became the basis for the Textus Receptus in the...

, 7
Minuscule 7
Minuscule 7 ; ε 287 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century.- Description :...

, 8
Minuscule 8
Minuscule 8 , ε 164 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment. It is dated palaeographically to the 11th century. The manuscript has complex contents. It has complex contents anbd full marginalia.- Description :The codex contains the complete text of the four Gospels, on...

, 9
Minuscule 9
Minuscule 9 , ε 279 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century, but according to the colophon it was written in the year 1167....

, 27
Minuscule 27
Minuscule 27 , ε 1023 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, written on vellum. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 10th century. It has marginalia.- Description :...

, 194
Minuscule 194
Minuscule 194 , A130 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Paleographically it has been assigned to the 11th century. It has marginalia.- Description :...

, 196
Minuscule 196
Minuscule 196 , Zε23 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century. It has marginalia.- Description :...

, 475
Minuscule 475
Minuscule 475 , α 138 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 11th century.Scrivener labelled it by number 515...

; majority of manuscripts reads ο Ιησους (Jesus);

In John 8:6 it has not textual variant μη προσποιουμενος. This omission is supported by the manuscripts: Codex Campianus, Vaticanus 354, Nanianus, Tischendorfianus IV, Athous Dionysiou
Codex Athous Dionysiou
Codex Athous Dionysiou, designated by Ω or 045 , ε 61 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the New Testament...

, 047
Uncial 047
Uncial 047 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels. The codex is dated paleographically to the 8th century. Formerly the codex was designated by Hebrew letter ב...

, 7
Minuscule 7
Minuscule 7 ; ε 287 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century.- Description :...

, 8
Minuscule 8
Minuscule 8 , ε 164 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament on parchment. It is dated palaeographically to the 11th century. The manuscript has complex contents. It has complex contents anbd full marginalia.- Description :The codex contains the complete text of the four Gospels, on...

, 9
Minuscule 9
Minuscule 9 , ε 279 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century, but according to the colophon it was written in the year 1167....

, 196
Minuscule 196
Minuscule 196 , Zε23 , is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on parchment. Palaeographically it has been assigned to the 12th century. It has marginalia.- Description :...

, 461c2, 1203, 1216, 1243, 1514, 663. The omission is included by the manuscripts: 07, 011
Codex Seidelianus I
Codex Seidelianus I, designated by siglum Ge or 011 , ε 87 is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels, dated palaeographically to the 9th century . The codex contains 252 parchment leaves...

, 017
Codex Cyprius
Codex Cyprius, designated by Ke or 017 , ε 71 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the four Gospels, on parchment. It was variously dated in the past , currently it is dated to the 9th century. It was brought from Cyprus to Paris...

, 028
Codex Vaticanus 354
Codex Vaticanus, designated by S or 028 , ε 1027 , formerly called Codex Guelpherbytanus, is a Greek manuscript of the four Gospels which can be dated to a specific year instead of an estimated range. The colophon of the codex lists the date as 949...

, 041
Codex Petropolitanus (New Testament)
Codex Petropolitanus, designated by Π or 041 , ε 73 , is a Greek uncial manuscript of the Gospels, dated palaeographically to the 9th century...

, minuscule 2
Minuscule 2
Codex Basiliensis A. N. IV. 1, known as Minuscule 2 , ε 1214 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, dated palaeographically to the 11th or 12th century. It was used by Erasmus in his edition of Greek text of the New Testament and became the basis for the Textus Receptus in the...

, and majority of the Byzantine manuscripts.

History

It has a colophon
Colophon (publishing)
In publishing, a colophon is either:* A brief description of publication or production notes relevant to the edition, in modern books usually located at the reverse of the title page, but can also sometimes be located at the end of the book, or...

 on the folio 344 verso, written by the same hand and in the same ink as the main text of the manuscript: ετελειωθη Θυ χαριτι η ιερα αυτη και θεοχαρακτος βιβλος μηνι μαιω ζ ινδικτιωνος ιγ ετους στμγ. δυσωπω δε παντας τους εντυγχανοντας μνιαν μου ποιεισθαι του γραψαντος Νικολαου αμαρ(ωλου) μοναχ(ου) οπως ευροιμι ελεος εν εμερα κρισεως, γενοιτο κε αμην.

Probably the codex was written by monk named Nicolaus. It is the oldest dated minuscule Greek manuscript known today. Before discovering of this codex, the earliest dated cursive was Minuscule 14
Minuscule 14
Minuscule 14 , ε 1021 . It is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, on 392 parchment leaves , dated by a colophon to the year 964 CE.- Description :...

 (AD 964), and it was commonly believed that minuscule writing was not used in the 9th century. The manuscript was probably written in Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...

, but later it belonged to the monastery of Mar Saba
Mar Saba
The Great Lavra of St. Sabbas the Sanctified, known in Arabic as Mar Saba , is a Greek Orthodox monastery overlooking the Kidron Valley in the West Bank east of Bethlehem. The traditional date for the founding of the monastery by Saint Sabas of Cappadocia is the year 483 and today houses around 20...

 (9) in Palestine
Palestine
Palestine is a conventional name, among others, used to describe the geographic region between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, and various adjoining lands....

. According to Victor Gardthausen
Victor Gardthausen
Victor Emil Gardthausen was a German ancient historian, palaeographer, librarian, and Professor from Leipzig University. He was author and co-author of some books; editor of ancient texts.- Life :...

, a palaeographer, the manuscript was seen by Johann Martin Augustin Scholz when he visited Mar Saba.

In 1844 Bishop Porphiryj Uspienski took it and brought it to Russia. It was examined and described by Victor Gardthausen
Victor Gardthausen
Victor Emil Gardthausen was a German ancient historian, palaeographer, librarian, and Professor from Leipzig University. He was author and co-author of some books; editor of ancient texts.- Life :...

 in 1877, and Archimandrit Amphilochius in 1879 (translated by Oscar von Gebhardt in 1881).

The manuscript is cited in Nestle-Aland Novum Testamentum Graece
Novum Testamentum Graece
Novum Testamentum Graece is the Latin name editions of the original Greek-language version of the New Testament.The first printed edition was the Complutensian Polyglot Bible by Cardinal Francisco Jiménez de Cisneros, printed in 1514, but not published until 1520...

, because of its date.

The codex is held in Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg
Saint Petersburg is a city and a federal subject of Russia located on the Neva River at the head of the Gulf of Finland on the Baltic Sea...

 (National Library of Russia, Gr. 219. 213. 101).

Sources


External links

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