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Princeton Ethiopic Manuscripts
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Held at: Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division [Contact Us]
This is a finding aid. It is a description of archival material held at the Princeton University Library: Manuscripts Division. Unless otherwise noted, the materials described below are physically available in their reading room, and not digitally available through the web.
Overview and metadata sections
This is an open collection of Ethiopic codices (bound manuscripts), which are chiefly written in Ge'ez (sometimes called Ethiopic), the scholarly and liturgical Afroasiatic language of Ethiopian Orthodox Church, as well as five related items. Many of the Ge'ez manuscripts have varia or marginalia in Amharic; two texts are mostly Amharic. Included among the Ethiopic manuscripts are 16 Psalters, 7 Miracles of Mary , 6 Images , 4 prayer books, 3 Homilies of Michael , 3 Synaxariums , 2 Anaphoras of Mary , 2 antiphonaries, 2 Missals , 1 Gospel of John , and 1 collection of divination texts. Worthy of special note are the variant Miracles of Mary and a rare Cycle of the Kings .
Most of the manuscripts in this collection date from the nineteenth and twentieth century. But at least ten are probably from the eighteenth century, and at least one (Miracles of Mary) is probably from the seventeenth. Precise dating of Ethiopic manuscripts remains difficult. Texts are written in black and red ink on parchment; one manuscript is paper. The manuscripts are bound in a traditional style reminiscent of early Coptic Christian codices in Roman and Byzantine Egypt, for which reason they are sometimes characterized as "Coptic." The quires of the manuscripts are sewn with unsupported link-stitch and then laced into rough-hewn wooden boards, sometimes covered in leather, often blind-tooled. A number of manuscripts are in leather carrying cases, which allowed them to be worn over the shoulder or hung up on pegs in walls.
Arranged in manuscript number order, by accession. Numbers 29 and 67-71 are unassigned.
Ephraim Isaac, "Princeton Collection of Ethiopic Manuscripts," Princeton University Library Chronicle 42:1 (Autumn 1980), pp. 33-52. Richard Pankhurst, "Secular Themes in Ethiopian Ecclesiastical Manuscripts: V.: A Catalogue of Illustrations of Historical and Ethnographic Interest in Princeton University Library and Art Gallery," Journal of Ethiopian Studies 22 (November 1989), pp. 31-64. Don C. Skemer, "Princeton's Ethiopic Manuscript Collections at 100," Princeton University Library Chronicle 71:3 (Spring 2010), pp. 461-466.
These manuscripts were acquired individually by gift or purchase. Since the 1990s, Bruce C. Willsie (Princeton Class of 1986) has donated the following manuscripts: nos. 37, 40-53, 58-64, and 72-85. Manuscripts nos. 86-103 were donated by Lowell Heskin in 2016 (MASC 2016-54).
For preservation reasons, original analog and digital media may not be read or played back in the reading room. Users may visually inspect physical media but may not remove it from its enclosure. All analog audiovisual media must be digitized to preservation-quality standards prior to use. Audiovisual digitization requests are processed by an approved third-party vendor. Please note, the transfer time required can be as little as several weeks to as long as several months and there may be financial costs associated with the process. Requests should be directed through the Ask Us Form.
The present finding aid was prepared in June-July 2009 by Kesis Melaku Terefe , Virgin Mary Ethiopian Orthodox Tewahdo Church in Los Angeles, with assistance of Prof. Wendy Laura Belcher , Department of Comparative Literature and Center for African American Studies, Princeton University. This cataloging project was made possible through generous support from the David A. Gardner '69 Magic Project, Princeton University.
In 2022, restrictions on manuscripts No. 54, 57, and 65 were lifted as part of a restrictions review project.
In 2022, manuscripts nos. 86-95 were added to the collection.
- Publisher
- Manuscripts Division
- Finding Aid Date
- 2008
- Sponsor
- This cataloging project was made possible through generous support from the David A. Gardner '69 Magic Project, Princeton University.
- Access Restrictions
-
This collection is open for research use.
- Use Restrictions
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Single copies may be made for research purposes. To cite or publish quotations that fall within Fair Use, as defined under U. S. Copyright Law, no permission is required. For instances beyond Fair Use, it is the responsibility of the researcher to determine whether any permissions related to copyright, privacy, publicity, or any other rights are necessary for their intended use of the Library's materials, and to obtain all required permissions from any existing rights holders, if they have not already done so. Princeton University Library's Special Collections does not charge any permission or use fees for the publication of images of materials from our collections, nor does it require researchers to obtain its permission for said use. The department does request that its collections be properly cited and images credited. More detailed information can be found on the Copyright, Credit and Citations Guidelines page on our website. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us through the Ask Us! form.
Collection Inventory
An incomplete Psalter. The usual books Gate of Light and Praise of Mary are missing, except for the first page from Praise of Mary, of the Monday section (135v), and a few pages from the Thursday section (1r-2v).
Fols. 2v, 3r, 4r, 69v, 70r, passim: Upper and lower margin scrawls in crude hand on many folios.
Fols. 70r-74r: Psalm 86, 87, 88, 89 numbered as 76, 77, 78, 79.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
No musical notation.
Physical Description1 col. [3r-135r], 21 lines; 2 col. [1r-2v, 135v], 21 lines. Parchment Codex. Wooden boards; the upper stamped leather board is original to the manuscript, the lower wooden board (without leather) is broken and sewn; stitched and open spine. Loose binding and some folios damaged, probably by water. Written in black and red ink. Leather case with detached strap.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-116r.
1 itemLocated on folio 116v-128v.
1 itemLocated on folio 128v-135r.
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-2v, 135v.
Illustration: Fol. 2v: Drawing of angel with drawn sword, in red and black ink, in a later hand.
Fol. 1v: Pen scrawl and note of later ownership, without name, in a later hand.
Fols. 1v-2r: Original text erased.
Fol. 3r: Pen trial.
Fol. 3v: Pen scrawls.
Fol. 94v: The later buyer and seller of the manuscript, as well as the witness and guarantor, are mentioned. The buyer is Mäməre Täkəlä Haymanot and his wife Amätä Yohannəs. The seller is Abunä Gäbrä Egzi'abəher. It includes a warning against theft and the price: five birr. The new owner lists twelve of his family members.
Fol. 130r: Note of ownership in later hand again mentioning Abunä Täkəlä Haymanot and Amätä Yohannəs.
Manuscript has pen trials and crude outlines of a horse or head on about two dozen folios.
The Psalter daily readings are marked on the relevant pages at the top of the folio in another hand.
No scribe listed.
No musical notation.
Loose folio, a photocopy of a letter in English dated Princeton, July 1, 1976, noting the cost of the manuscript and asking for reimbursement of shipping costs. Letter states that the author plans to visit the Ethiopian collection "now that I know some of the cognate language Tigrinya, which uses the same alphabet." From John to Mr. [Alfred?] Bush.
Physical Description1 col. [4r-113r], 27 lines; 2 col. [113r-130r], 26 lines. Parchment Codex. Wooden boards in stamped red leather, stitched and open spine. Written in black and red ink. One miniature. Two-part leather case with leather strap.
In faint blue ink, in a later hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r.
First two lines of the text on the page are a genealogical list of a particular family, in a later hand.
Concluding prayer of Psalter in crude, later hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r.
Fol. 51v: Mid section of the Psalms identified with a decorated Ethiopic number 60.
Fols. 77v-82v: Psalm 118 does include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 4r-94v.
In another, crude hand. See also Fol. 130v.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 95rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 96-106v.
1 itemLocated on folio 106v-113r.
Located on folio 113r-123v.
1 itemLocated on folio 113r-114r.
1 itemLocated on folio 114r-115v.
1 itemLocated on folio 115v-117v.
1 itemLocated on folio 117v-119v.
1 itemLocated on folio 119v-121r.
1 itemLocated on folio 121r-122r.
1 itemLocated on folio 122r-123v.
1 itemLocated on folio 123v-128v.
1 itemLocated on folio 128v-130r.
In another, crude hand. See also Fol. 95rv.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 130v.
No owner listed.
Fols. 3r, 157v: Later owner's name appears in pencil and pen, Haläqa Kiros Zägäyä.
Fol. 1v: Pen trial.
Fol. 2v: In crude hand, practice writing of Psalm 1.
Fol. 157r: Pen trial and the salutation of a letter.
fol. 157v: Pen scrawl.
Manuscript has pen trials on about two dozen folios.
The Psalter daily readings are marked on the relevant pages in a later hand at the top of the folio, "For Monday reading," etc.
No scribe listed.
No musical notation.
Physical Description1 col. [3r-142r], 22 lines; 2 col. [142v-157r], 22 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two-part leather case with leather strap. Wooden boards in stamped red leather with covered spine.
In crude hand, in pencil, the first four lines of the Canticle of the Psalter.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1v.
Magical Prayer against snake bite in a later hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1v.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-123r.
1 itemLocated on folio 123r-135v.
1 itemLocated on folio 135v-142r.
Located on folio 142v-152v.
1 itemLocated on folio 142v-143v.
1 itemLocated on folio 143v-145r.
1 itemLocated on folio 145r-146v.
1 itemLocated on folio 146v-149r.
1 itemLocated on folio 149r-150r.
1 itemLocated on folio 150v-151v.
1 itemLocated on folio 151v-152v.
1 itemLocated on folio 152v-157r.
Illustrations: fols. 2r, 24v, 43v, 65v, 124r: Häräg (headpieces).
Fol. 1v: In crude hand, Ge'ez alphabet.
Manuscript has pen trials on about a dozen folios.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
No musical notation.
Physical Description1 col. [2r-145r], 19 lines; 2 col. [145v-158v], 19 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Plain wooden boards, fragment of upper board missing, lower board broken and sewn. Stitched and open spine. Loose binding.
In faded ink, almost illegible, in another hand. See also Fol. 159rv.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r.
Fol. 65v: Mid-point of the Psalms marked with a Häräg and the words "half of Psalms".
Psalm 118 does include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r-123v.
1 itemLocated on folio 124r-138v.
1 itemLocated on folio 138v-145r.
Located on folio 145v-154v.
1 itemLocated on folio 145v-146r.
1 itemLocated on folio 146r-148v.
1 itemLocated on folio 148v-149v.
1 itemLocated on folio 149v-151v.
1 itemLocated on folio 151v-152v.
1 itemLocated on folio 152v-153v.
1 itemLocated on folio 153v-154v.
1 itemLocated on folio 154v-158v.
In faded ink, almost illegible, in another hand. See also Fol. 1r.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 159rv.
An incomplete Psalter. Manuscript is a fragment of two folios from the same piece of parchment.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
No musical notation.
Physical Description1 col., 19 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. No binding
1 itemLocated on folio 1rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 2rv.
Illustration: Fol. 1v: Miniature of King David playing the harp.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Miniature of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child and two angels with drawn swords.
Unnumbered folded quarter folio at front of the manuscript, part of binding, has a pen trial and a list of the moveable feasts days.
Fols. 70r-74r: Psalm 86, 87, 88, 89 numbered as 76, 77, 78, 79.
Fols. 68v, 69v: In a crude later hand, "This Psalter belongs to Mäməre Kase."
Manuscript has pen trials on about a dozen folios.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Musical notation.
Loose folio that appears to be an address from a delivery box. It states "From: Paul L. Billy / 1501 N. E. 62nd Street/ (Pine Crest Media Center) / Fort Lauderdale, Florida, 33334".
Physical Description1 col. [3r-137v], 21 lines; 2 col. [138r-150v], 23 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Fols. 1r, 2v: Blank. Two miniatures. No case. Glossy wooden boards, stitched and open spine.
Psalm 118 does include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-121r.
1 itemLocated on folio 121r-132r.
1 itemLocated on folio 132r-137v.
Located on folio 138r-147r.
1 itemLocated on folio 138rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 138v-140r.
1 itemLocated on folio 140r-141v.
1 itemLocated on folio 141v-143v.
1 itemLocated on folio 143v-144v.
1 itemLocated on folio 144v-145v.
1 itemLocated on folio 145v-147r.
1 itemLocated on folio 147r-150v.
Psalm 71: 3-24 [to the end], probably from another manuscript (folio is of a smaller size). Folio has been flipped; text begins on the verso and continues on the recto.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 151rv.
Illustration: Fol. 1r: Häräg.
Fols. 8v, 11rv, 12r, 31r, passim: Pencil scrawls.
Fol. 31v: Ge'ez alphabet in another hand.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Late 19th century, with 20th-century additions.
Physical Description1 col, 10 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two-part leather case with strap. Wooden boards covered with khaki fabric.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," No. 208)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r-22r.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," No. 170)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 22v-28v.
1 itemLocated on folio 28v-31r.
In crude hand with the date "Säne 26, '37" EC (June 1945).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 31v-32v.
Fols. 10v, 12v, 25r, 27r: Owner's named erased at the beginning of every miracle, but appears faintly on these folios as "Zä'ra Krəstos."
Fol. 47: Previous cataloger says this folio loose, but no folio 47 is in the box.
Manuscript is in different hands, one hand for 1r-22v (miracles 1-12), another for fols. 22r-46v (miracles 13-27). The two parts were commissioned at the same time, however, as the same owner's name appears throughout and the numbering of the miracles is continuous.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description2 cols, 14 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Wooden boards missing, stitched and open spine. Folios missing at the beginning of the ms. Fol. 22r: Second column blank. Fols. 22v, 38v: Blank. fols. 46rv: One quarter of folio is torn and missing at the top.
How the Virgin Mary accepted the book of her miracles compiled by Saint Hildefonsus [Däqsəyos], Bishop of Toledo and how she punished a bishop who usurped the garment and chair of Hildefonsus (Budge, Mary 1; Strelcyn 15.1.1, 32.16.1; Bland 1). Incomplete at the beginning.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r-2r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the sick deacon who recited her sälam song by anointing him with her breast milk (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r-4r.
How the Virgin Mary saved a certain bandit from hanging because he always recited her sälam song and how he became a pious monk (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 4r-6r.
How Sybil the prophetess saw a vision of the Virgin Mary holding her child within a circle around the sun and revealed this vision to a king who refused to be worshipped (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 6r-8v.
How the Virgin Mary commanded a deacon to dig up and rebury in consecrated ground the body of an adulterous deacon from the island of Jericho in the city of Gärisat who was killed by the people (Budge, Mary, 103).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 9r-10v.
How a certain sinful knight from Afəras (France) named Niqodimos recited the Hail Mary (Sälamä Gäbrə'el) his whole life and when he died a tree with Hail Mary written on its leaves in gold sprang from his grave (Budge, Mary, 38).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 10v-12v.
How the Virgin Mary kept alive a certain wicked man who had been beaten by his enemies until he repented from his sins.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 12v-13v.
How the Virgin Mary gave a garment to a certain bishop and how she commanded him to receive a person who wanted to repent before him (Budge, Mary, 40).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13v-15v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a certain deacon who loved to sing her praises and how she received his soul into paradise.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 14v-17v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a bishop to restore a priest called Enədrəyas who knew how to conduct only one of the fourteen anaphoras, the Anaphora of the Virgin Mary (Budge, Mary, 102).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 117v-19v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to reassure an ascetic woman about the purity of her friends, other ascetic women in the monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 19v-21r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared as a shining woman and saved the drunk monk, who was devoted to the Virgin Mary, from the lion (Budge, Mary, 48).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 21r-22r.
How the Virgin Mary confronted robbers who went to steal property from a church devoted to her in Sam and how she locked the door so they couldn't get out and killed one and sent the governor to kill the rest.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 23r-25r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to various people, including Europeans (Afərəng), Romans, Syrians, and Marionites, in the church of Däbrä Mətməq in Egypt, and how she gave a vision of hell to a Jacobite (non-Chalcedonian) and how she saved the Christians when they were called before the Asraf, the Sultan of Egypt when asked to describe this vision.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25r-27r.
How the Virgin Mary saved kidnapped Christians from the Muslim Cyprian, especially one rich man imprisoned by a Muslim in a box and how she transported the box, the prisoner, and the jailer to her church and how the Muslim converted.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 27r-30r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Syrian potter (Ephrəm) and how she caused him to compose the Wədasse Maryam for the seven days of the week (Budge, Mary, 35).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30r-33v.
How the Virgin Mary told Dänasəyos the Archbishop of Rome that King Marqos had entered a monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 33v-34r.
How King Marqos became the king of Rome and was pressed to marry, how he left his palace and went to church to pray before the Icon of Mary and how he entered the monastery of Tormaq.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 34r-35v.
How the Virgin Mary and Jesus and angels appeared to a pure man named Bifämon of Awəsem before his martyrdom and received him into paradise.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 35v-37r.
How the Virgin Mary saved from demons the soul of a wicked wealthy man who oppressed his servants but was devoted to her.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 37r-38r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a Roman youth called Zacharias who crowned her icon with roses and how she saved him from bandits because they saw roses flowing from his mouth when he recited her sälam and how they converted and became monks (Budge, Mary, 10).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 39r-41r.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen food of two women when they were on pilgrimage to Jerusalem and how the thief's teeth fell out as he ate their food and how the thieves converted (Budge, Mary, 11; Strelcyn 32.16. 11).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41rv.
How the Virgin Mary sent Christ in the form of a child to an elderly woman who prayed to the Virgin Mary asking how she raised her son and how the woman refused to pick up the child and how the child said that she was praying to his mother and how she wept upon realizing that she had not recognized her Lord (Budge, Mary, 46).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41v-43r.
How the Virgin Mary caused a stream to reverse (Budge, Mary, 36).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to reassure an ascetic woman about the purity of her friends, other ascetic women in the monastery (same as eleventh miracle above).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43v-44v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared as a shining woman and saved the drunk monk, who was devoted to the Virgin Mary, from the lion (Budge, Mary, 48; same as twelfth miracle above).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44v-45v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a certain wealthy woman who was the patron of a certain monastery (upper folio broken so some words missing).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 45v-46v.
Fol. 13r: States the scribe's name is Gäbrä Śəllase.
Perhaps the manuscript includes only the introductory rite because they intended to add the Miracles of Mary later.
No owner listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description2 cols., 18 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. No wooden boards. The first and the last folios are used as a cover. Fols. 1rv, 13v, 14rv: Blank
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," No. 336; 338)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r-13r.
Illustration: Fol. 4r: Häräg.
On the inside of upper wooden board is a beige sticker seal with the words "Ex libris Grenville Kane."
Fol. 1r: Inscription in Latin script: "To my brother-in-law / Grenville Kane / Souvenir affections (?) / Namil Mourichon" The last two words, the name in the signature, are extremely unclear; could be Harriet or? David Inourichman.
Fol. 3r: Inscription in Latin script, in the same hand as 1r, in French: "Eglise de San Raghel / Choa./ (Ethiopic meridionale)/ 1897 / Evangile Selon Saint Jean [Gospel according to St John]." Choa is probably Shoa, a southern (meridionale) province in the Ethiopian highlands. The Saint Raguel Church is in Entoto near Addis Ababa.
Loose folio stating in Latin script: "This book is a copy of the Gospel according to St John in the Ethiopian language, the national tongue [sic] of Abyssinia. The manuscript was probably written between 1700 and 1750. The binding is Abyssinian." The dating, however, is probably incorrect.
Fols. 17v, 18r, 32r, 46r, 60r, 74v, 88r, 102r, 116r: Quires are marked with Ethiopic numerals: quire 1, 2, etc.
Fol. 127v: Owner's name erased.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 item2 cols, 13 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Wooden boards in stamped red leather and flowered cloth visible inside, covered spine. Fols. 1v-2rv, 3v, 127v-129v: Blank. Green yarns through upper folios mark the daily readings: Monday? (fol. 4r), Saturday (fol. 29v), Tuesday (fol. 36r), Saturday (fol. 59v), Wednesday (fol. 71r), Thursday (fol. 85v), Friday (fol. 105v), Sunday (fol. 117v).15.5 x 11.3 cm
Fols. 1rv, 60rv: pencil scrawl.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Pen trial, pencil scrawl, crude drawing.
Fols. 16v, 52r: In different hand, the later owners' names Wälätä Maryam and Wälätä Kidan appear.
Fols. 26r, 27v, 37r, 38r, 39v: Various person's names appear in a crude hand in pencil.
Pencil scrawl in the margins on almost every folio.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description2 cols, 13 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Plan wooden boards, both broken in half with half missing. Stitched and open spine
1 itemLocated on folio 2v.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," 222)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-16v.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," 123)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 17r-29v.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," 119)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29v-39r.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," 147)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 39v-52r.
1 itemLocated on folio 52v-59v.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Drawing of a man and a woman, a couple, one wearing green clothing, the other red. Perhaps the owners.
Illustration: Fol. 3r: Häräg drawing.
Illustration: Fol. 63v: Drawing of a small cherubim at the bottom of the second column.
Fol. 1r: Pen trial of a letter opening, "a plea for the Wällo imperial province."
Fols. 1rv, 2rv: Pen trial, pencil scrawls.
Fol. 1r: The name Wäyzäro Däbritu Täfära appears in pencil. Probably the later owner.
Lower board has the Arabic numerals AM81-15.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Physical Description2 cols, 17 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two miniatures. No case. Glossy wooden boards, stitched with folio back. Fols. 1 and 64: Serve as binding folios covering the spine
Located on folio 3r-32r.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-5v.
1 itemLocated on folio 5v-10r.
1 itemLocated on folio 10r-15v.
1 itemLocated on folio 15v-21r.
1 itemLocated on folio 21r-25r.
1 itemLocated on folio 25r-28r.
1 itemLocated on folio 28r-32r.
1 itemLocated on folio 32v-47v.
1 itemLocated on folio 47v-63v.
In unclear Latin script, in faint ink. Dasai is the capital of Wällo, a province in northeast Ethiopia.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 64r.
Fol. 1v: Illegible notes in pencil in another hand, including "My father, please bless my learning."
Fols. 2r, 10r, 32v, 33r-38v, 40v: The owner's name Abunä Täklä Mika'el and his wife's name Wälätä Kidan appear in the text.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 col., 15 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Wooden boards, but upper wooden board missing. Stitched and open spine. Fols. 1r, 46v: Blank
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-18v.
1 itemLocated on folio 19r-25r.
1 itemLocated on folio 25r-28v.
Fol. 41v: The translator of the text is named: "I, Gäbrä Kərəstos, translated this book from the language of the Afəngi [sic, Afärəngi] to the language of Ethiopia."
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 28v-43v.
1 itemLocated on folio 44r-46r.
The scribe used "räqiq" (small) script, which is common in manuscripts with musical notation, although this one does not have musical notation.
Some parts of the Psalter superscription are amended in a different hand. The text is also corrected in a later hand.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
No musical notation.
Physical Description1 col. [1r-177r, 194r-196v], 12-19 lines; 2 col. [177r-193v], 16-20 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Fols. 197r-199v: Blank. Half leather case with strap. Wooden boards, with lower board broken and sewn. Leather spine cover. Unusually square and thick manuscript for a Psalter. Red yarns through upper folios and words mark the daily readings: Monday (fol. 1r), Tuesday (fol. 39r), Wednesday (fol. 77r), Thursday (fol. 109r), Friday (fol. 131v), Saturday (fol. 149v), Sunday (fol. 165r).
Fol. 93r: Mid-section of the Psalms marked with a box with Ge'ez words in it stating "half of Psalms" in original hand.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r-165r.
1 itemLocated on folio 165r-177r.
Located on folio 177r-189r.
1 itemLocated on folio 177r-178r.
1 itemLocated on folio 178r-180r.
1 itemLocated on folio 180r-181v.
1 itemLocated on folio 182r-184v.
1 itemLocated on folio 184v-186v.
1 itemLocated on folio 186v-187v.
1 itemLocated on folio 187v-189r.
1 itemLocated on folio 189r-193v.
Song of Songs is written in a different hand, a separate manuscript attached at the end.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 194r-196v.
Illustration: Fol. 1v: Miniature of the Virgin Mary with Christ the Child and two angels.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Häräg.
Illustration: Fol. 23v: Miniature of the Holy Trinity (with the four creatures [man, bird, lion, cow). A simple cross appears under the miniature of the Holy Trinity with the caption, " Lion" under the lion and "The Sovereign Trinity".
Fols. 3r,4r: The names Patriarch Petəros (also known as Boutros El-Gawly or Peter VII 1809-1852) and Metropolitan Peter (1876-1889) appear in the text.
Upper board interior has Arabic numerals "AM21552".
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Physical Description1 col., 16 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two miniatures. No case. Wooden boards; stitched and open spine. fol. 1r: Blank.
Fol. 2r: In the margin with red ink in a later hand: "Mother of the martyrs, sister of the angels, Mary our mother and mother of our Lord."
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r-22v.
A calendar note in the same hand stating that the hours in the different months are determined by measuring the shadows in feet: " For September the Morning [hour] is 24, the third [hour] is 10, the noon [hour] is 4, the ninth [hour ] is 10, the vesper [hour] is 70 in feet...".
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 22v-23r.
Illustration: Fol. 1r: Engraving of Abba Samuel of Walddəba, holding a long cross and riding a lion.
Illustration: Fol. 1v left: Engraving of Abunä Gäbrä Mänfäs Qədus, an Ethiopian saint.
Illustration: Fol. 1v right: Engraving of Abba Zä-Mika'əl (Arägwi) of Däbrä Damo, one of the nine saints of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church.
Illustration: Fol. 2v left top: Engraving of Jesus Christ being struck on the head, titled Kurə'at'a Rə'əsu.
Illustration: Fol. 2v right top: Engraving of a face with a halo.
Illustration: Fol. 2v left bottom: Engraving of an angel with drawn sword.
Illustration: Fol. 2v right bottom: Engraving of a face with halo.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Engraving of Saint George slaying the dragon.
Fol. 1v: Several words in Ge'ez appear: "Biyäzä Wä'iyəkäwən fəre wa" (Ge'ez words and letters strung together without clear meaning).
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Similar to Princeton Ethiopic collection no. 17 tablet.
Physical Description1 itemTwo tablets. One side of each tablet has only one engraving, the other side has four engravings. Written in black and red ink. Eight miniatures. No case. Slates tied together with string yarned through three holes8.7 x 10.7 cm
Illustration: Fol. 1r: Engraving of Abba Samuel of Walddəba, holding a long cross and riding the lion.
Illustration: Fol. 1v left: Engraving of Christ: Crucifixion, One Cross, with Virgin Mary and Evangelist John.
Illustration: Fol. 1v right: Engraving of Abunä Gäbrä Mänfäs Qədus, an Ethiopian saint.
Illustration: Fol. 2v left top: Engraving of Jesus Christ being struck on the head, titled Kurə'at'a Rə'əsu.
Illustration: Fol. 2v right top: Engraving of angel with drawn sword.
Illustration: Fol. 2v left bottom: Engraving of a face with halo.
Illustration: Fol. 2v right bottom: Engraving of a face with halo.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Engraving of Saint George slaying the dragon.
Fol. 1v: Several words in Ge'ez appear: "Wäsätä Arə'əstimu lä-hatə'an motä" (Between his friends, he died for sinners) (loose translation, words and letters are missing).
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Similar to Princeton Ethiopic collection no. 16 tablet.
Physical Description1 itemTwo tablets. One side of each tablet has only one engraving, the other side has four engravings. Written in black and red ink. Eight miniatures. No case. Slates tied together with string yarned through three holes9.6 x 10.7 cm
Loose folio, a letter that starts without salutation but with a dateline, "Princeton Nov 29 1940," and then states that the book was "Brought from Abyssinia by Professor Littmann and given to me—about 1910. ... Littman said it had recently belonged to a monk and had been in daily use. I now give it to the Epigraphical Museum." It is signed by "Wm. K. Prentice," the professor of classics at Princeton who went on expedition with Enno Littmann to Syria in 1899.
Loose folio, an inter-office library memo, giving the provenance and stating that the manuscript was a gift to the library by William K. Prentice in 13 April 1951.
Loose folio, a card created by the library about the manuscript from information in the other loose folios.
fol. 1r: In Latin script "Ethiopic Psalter and Biblical Hymns bought by Enno Littman in Jerusalem, January 1900." In Littman's hand?
Fols. 9v-10r: Pen trial in Arabic and Ge'ez characters.
The scribe used "räqiq" (small) script.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 col. [fols. 1r-130v], 22 lines; 2 col. [131r-142v], 21 lines. Parchment and Paper Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Fols. 1v-8v: Blank. Fol. 7rv: Detached from the quire. Leather boards, stitched and open spine. The paper and vellum folios were foliated separately; after the first 10 folios (of paper), the vellum folios begin with 1 again. The paper folios are blank, probably inserted to provide the missing beginning of the Psalter. Unusually square and thick manuscript for a Psalter. Fols. 5r, 22v, 30r, 36r, 44v, 82r, 93v, 96v, 102v [sic, should be 103r]: Brown yarns through upper folios mark the every tenth Psalm. They are missing for the tenth psalms on folios 12r, 55v, 64v, and 70r.
Incomplete at the beginning, it starts after Psalm 17.
Fol. 50r: Mid-section of the Psalms marked with a horizontal box across the folio with the section verse.
Fols. 109-110r: Psalm 151, the last psalm in the Ethiopic Psalters, erased and rewritten with a different hand.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r-110r.
1 itemLocated on folio 110r-123v.
1 itemLocated on folio 123v-130v.
Located on folio 131r-141r.
1 itemLocated on folio 131rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 131v-133v.
1 itemLocated on folio 133v-135v.
1 itemLocated on folio 135r-137r.
1 itemLocated on folio 137r-138v.
1 itemLocated on folio 138v-140r.
1 itemLocated on folio 140r-141r.
1 itemLocated on folio 141r-142v.
Illustration: Three crosses, each taking up a page.
Illustration: One häräg near beginning.
Owner's name Gäbrä Mäsqäl Zälälä listed near the beginning of the manuscript.
No scribe listed.
Physical Description1 item1 col., 8 or 10 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two long strips of vellum, total length 115.5 cm, folded like a concertina, with 29 folios of 4 x 5.5 cm each. Three miniatures. Leather case, segmented in two to fit over each end of manuscripts, amulet style. Leather covers sewn to the ends of the strips. Blank folios at end and the beginning4 x 5.5 cm
Fol. 21v: Pen trial in crude hand with black ink and pencil scrawl.
Fols. 91v: The scribe's name is mentioned in the original manuscript but someone has erased it.
Fols. 91v-92r: In another, later hand, is a note of the gift of the manuscript to a church (whose name has been erased).
Fols. 92r: Ge'ez alphabet.
Fols. 92v: Pen and pencil scrawls. Also throughout.
Two manuscripts have been bound together, one is older than the other. They are in different hands. The first manuscript is the Book of Baptism, Miracles of St Michael, Miracles of Jesus, and Miracles of Mary. After fol. 22r are only Miracles of Mary.
No miniatures.
Gift of John Mason.
Original owner: Kəflä Mika'e.
Loose slip of paper noting cataloging information about the manuscript and a photocopy of part of a letter from John Mason, the purchaser, re. cataloging by Isaac Welde-Iesus in Kenya, dated to 1986.
Physical Description2 cols. [fols. 1r-21r], 18 lines; [22r-91v], 20 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Glossy wooden boards, upper board broken and sewn, stitched and open spine. Loose binding. The folios of both manuscripts have been bound out of order and some folios are missing.
The owner's name is not mentioned in this one of the two texts.
Physical DescriptionLocated on folio 1r-21r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared with saints Abba Mäqars, Abba Yohannəs Abba Bəsoy, Abba Musse, Abba Yohannəs at the monastry of Asqetəs.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed a woman at Bethlehem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1v-2r.
How the Virgin Mary left her handprint in the icon of the Virgin Mary when a certain priest burned incense and bowed to her icon and how she brought holy water inside the church and how Elarəya, daughter of King Zänun, left for the monastic life at Asqetəs (repeated later).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 2v-3r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the painter when he fell down from his scaffolding (different version of Budge, Mary, 8).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3v-4r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to King Anorewos and how she led him to the ascetic life.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 4rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved the robber's soul from judgment because he drank from water that sprang from her feet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 5rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a certain ascetic woman to reassure her about the purity of her friends, other ascetics in the monastery (similar to twenty-second miracle later in this manuscript).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 5v-6r.
How the Virgin Mary rebuked a woman when she gave up fasting at her husband's command (incomplete at the end) (Budge, Mary, 99).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 6rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved a drunken monk from a lion (Budge, Mary, 48).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 9rv.
How the Virgin Mary helped Säwla, wife of Giyorgis (the new martyr) when she wanted to bury the remain of her husband's body (incomplete at the end, folios including the end missing).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 9v.
1 itemLocated on folio 17r-19v.
The original owner's name, Kəflä Mika'e, is mentioned in this text at the beginning of most of the miracles. The later owner has erased the original owner's name in the first few folios. But the name of Säga Mika'el, the father of Kəflä Mika'e, which also appears at the beginning of some miracles has escaped the eraser because his name is in black ink not red. Some other names sometimes appear at the beginning of the miracles, but those mentioned above are the most common.
Physical DescriptionLocated on folio 22r-91v.
How the Virgin Mary accepted the book of her miracles compiled by Saint Hildefonsus [Däqsəyos], Bishop of Toledo (Budge, Mary 1; Strelcyn 15.1.1, 32.16.1).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 22r-23v.
How Jesus Christ asked the Virgin Mary about her five lamentations.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 23v-24r.
How the Virgin Mary saved a certain adulterous person from his temptation in Alexandria (incomplete at the end, folios including the end missing from manuscript).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 24v.
How the Virgin Mary helped a young impoverished man and how the church keeper gave his daughter to him (incomplete at the beginning, which is at 72rv).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a certain wealthy woman who was the patron of a monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25v-26v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Färäsawi when he denied Christ but kept his devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 26r-27v.
How the Virgin Mary saved from the hand of a demon a monk who fell in love with a certain woman and drowned while going to visit her (Budge, Mary, 69).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 27r-28v.
How the Virgin Mary saved a certain nun who died before she finished her penitence and how she appeared to the Abbess and told her how the Virgin Mary saved her (similar to Romances, Cleopatra 13?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 28r-29v.
How the Virgin Mary helped a certain nun by encouraging her to pray Hail Mary everywhere.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29rv.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary bled when a certain Jew cast it to the ground (Budge, Mary, 68).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29v-30v.
Excerpt, unclear, probably how the Virgin Mary appeared at Däbrä Metmaq.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the ascetic woman Arsema to reassure her about the purity of her friends, also at the monastery (incomplete at the beginning, which is at 75r).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 31r.
How the Virgin Mary saved a noble man named Armatəyas in Ephesus from hanging when he was falsely accused.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 31r-32r.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary at the Däbrä Qälmon monastery healed an Arab woman with hemorrhage.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 32r-33v.
How a certain nun fled with a certain monk and how the Virgin Mary fulfilled the duties of the nun during her absence (Budge, Mary, 106).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 33v-35v.
How the Virgin Mary saved a young man whose mother had promised him to the Devil (Budge, Mary, 49).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 35v-37r.
How the Virgin Mary delivered a certain Jew from a fiery furnace into which his father had cast him (Budge, Mary, 59).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 37r-39r.
How Sybil the prophetess saw the Virgin Mary with Christ the Child inside the sun disk and revealed it to a king who did not want to be worshipped.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 39r-40r.
How the Virgin Mary obtained forgiveness for a monk named Hərnay who had mutilated himself and died under the influence of Satan in disguise as a saint Mar Ya'əqob [Jacob] (Budge, Mary 101).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 40r-41v.
How the Virgin Mary spoke from her picture to a devout worshipper (Budge, Mary 2; Strelcyn 15.1.3, 32.16.2).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41v-42r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the elderly Jew of Akəmim when he fell and broke his back during the church service because of his old age (Budge, Mary, 3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 42r-43r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the dying scribe Damianus of Philippi (Budge, Mary, 4).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43r-44r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Isaac, the monk, and promised to take him to herself after three days (Budge, Mary, 6).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44r-45r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared out of her picture to Mary, the daughter of a certain God-fearing man, and promised to take her to Paradise after three days (Budge, Mary, 7).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 45r-46r.
How a painter was saved by the Virgin Mary when he fell from a scaffold (Budge, Mary, 8).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 46r-47r.
How the Virgin Mary carried a sick person from the Monastery of the Pilgrims to Jerusalem and showed him where Jesus was crucified and buried and baptized him in the waters of the Jordan (Budge, Mary, 9).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 47r-48r.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen property of two women called Juliana and Barbara, when they were on pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Budge, Mary, 11; Strelcyn 32.16. 11).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 48rv.
How the Virgin Mary moved the Monastery in Greece to Jericho road (Budge, Mary, 13; Strelcyn 32.16. 13).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 48v-49v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the merchant from Colossae after being shot in the eye with an arrow by pirates (Budge, Mary, 15; Strelcyn 32.16. 15).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 49v-50v.
How the Virgin Mary arranged marriages for two poor girls called Martha and Yäwahit (Budge, Mary, 17; Strelcyn 32.16. 17).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 50v-51v.
How the Virgin Mary delivered the soul of the scribe who was writing the book of her miracles when the demons took him by mistake to hell (Budge, Mary, 18; Strelcyn 32.16.18).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 51v-52v.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary spoke to a certain woman whose mother-in-law was opposed to her devotion to the icon of the Virgin and how the icon disappeared because of the mother-in-law's objection.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 52v-53r.
How the Virgin Mary delivered from prison a certain man called Giyorgis the New Martyr (Budge, Mary, 19; Strelcyn 32.16. 19).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 53rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 53v.
How a certain rich man called Paqlima hurled a loaf at the head of a beggar and wounded him, and how the Virgin Mary delivered his soul from demons (Budge, Mary, 86).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 54r-55r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a certain wealthy women from Caesarea to give birth to a child when her relatives brought her to the Icon of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the foot of a widow from Harətärom (incomplete at the end) (Budge, Mary, 24).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a certain shepherd and promised to take him to herself in paradise and how she lead him to a certain monastery to die there (incomplete at the end, folio flipped, continues on 60v).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 56rv.
How the Icon of the Virgin Mary spoke to a certain woman who swallowed scorpion when she was depressed and how the voice from the icon led her to a certain wise man for her healing (incomplete at the beginning).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 57rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved the people on a certain ship on the sea when they were caught in a powerful storm.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 57v-58vr.
How a certain young man placed a ring on the finger of a icon of the Virgin Mary and how the virgin regarded it as an engagement ring) (incomplete at the end, which appears on 61rv (Budge, Mary, 67).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 58v-59v and 61rv.
How the Virgin Mary sent the shepherd to the monastery and how he died after he blessed the monks in the monastery (incomplete at the beginning, a continuation of fol. 56v).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 60rv.
How the Virgin Mary helped a certain church whose leader had died very recently (excerpt).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 61v.
How the Virgin Mary saved a certain evil wealthy man's soul from demons and how she took him in to paradise.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 62rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved the soul of a wicked monastic leader after he died because he was devoted to her and how he appeared to his disciple and told him how she saved him from hell (incomplete at the end, which is at 64rv).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 62v.
How the Virgin Mary healed a man with a stone foot (Budge, Mary, 22; Strelcyn 32.16.22) (incomplete at the end).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 63rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved the soul of certain monk after he died (incomplete at the beginning, which is at 61v).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 64rv.
Four-line fragment, does not continue on 65r.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 64v.
Fragment, does not continue from 64v.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 65r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the thief from hanging.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 65r-66r.
(How the Virgin Mary appeared in the monastery of Asqetəs with the church fathers.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 66rv.
How the Virgin Mary brought water to the well of Däbrä Mətmaq.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 66r-68r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Deacon Yohannəs in the Pillar of Light.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68r-69v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Yohannəs Käma and how she commanded him to build a church.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 70r-71r.
How the Virgin Mary punished the son of the king of the Egypt when he challenged the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ .
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 71r-72r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a young impoverished man and how the church keeper gave his daughter to him (incomplete, the end of the story is at 25r).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 72rv.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary exuded oil and milk (incomplete at the beginning) (Budge, Mary, 59).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73rv.
How the Virgin Mary raised a dead martyred knight to fight against an enemy of the church called Goliath (Goləyəd) (Budge, Mary, 60).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73v-74v.
How the Virgin Mary left her handprint in the icon of the Virgin Mary when a certain priest burned incense and bowed to her icon and how she brought holy water inside the church and how Elarəya, daughter of King Zänun, left for the monastic life at Asqetəs (fragment).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 75r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to an ascetic woman named Arsema to reassure her about the purity of her friends, also at the monastery (incomplete at the end, the end is at 31r) (repeated).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 75rv.
How the Virgin Mary raised from the dead a certain man's son (incomplete at the beginning).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 76rv.
How the Virgin Mary helped a wicked prince who was devoted to the Virgin Mary but became mad (incomplete at the end, see 79rv for end).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 76v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the soul of a young man who denied God and the angels but kept his faith in the Virgin Mary (excerpt).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 77rv.
How a certain Jew of Constantinople threw to the ground a picture of the Virgin Mary and when it was restored it exuded oil that healed many (Budge, Mary, 45).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 78rv.
How the Virgin Mary wicked prince who was devoted to the Virgin Mary but became mad (incomplete at the beginning, see 76r for beginning).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 79rv.
How the Virgin Mary gave children to a certain woman whose nine children had died when the woman promised that they would become priests and deacons.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 79v-80r.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Barok, a dissolute man (Budge, Mary, 26).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 80r-81r.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Anəsətasəyos of Rome (Budge, Mary, 27).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 81rv.
How the Virgin Mary helped a monk to escape the monastery of Qäləmon when persecuted by other monks when he breached the wall of the church by hitting it with his skull cap (Budge, Mary, 28; Strelcyn 32.16.28).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 81v-82r.
How the Virgin Mary saved a thief from his persecutors.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 82rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved the woman in childbirth from drowning (Budge, Mary, 32; Strelcyn 32.16. 31; Bland 2, also Vincent de Beauvais).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 82v-83r.
How the Virgin Mary gave water to a thirsty dog (Budge, Mary, 33; Strelcyn 32.16. 32).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 83r-84r.
How the Virgin Mary gave a garment to a monk (Budge, Mary, 93).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 84r.
How the Virgin Mary begged her son to forgive the sins of a wealthy evil man.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 84r-85r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared before a certain woman in the monastery during church service.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 85rv.
How the Virgin Mary anointed the animal's feet while she was at Däbrä Qusəqam, according to Saint Anthony.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 85v-86v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared at Däbrä Qusəqam, according to Saint Anthony.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 86v-87r.
How the Virgin Mary saved Timothy, a drunken monk, from a lion) (Budge, Mary, 48).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 87rv.
How the Virgin Mary performed a miracle on her feast day at Wäme[?] (excerpt).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 87v.
How the Church of the Virgin Mary in Getheseman will be an ark at the time of Christ's coming (incomplete at the beginning).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 88r.
How a certain priest left his handprint in the icon of the Virgin Mary when he bowed to her and how the Virgin Mary brought holy water inside the church and how Elarəya, daughter of King Zänun, left for the monastic life at Asqetəs (incomplete, the end is at 75v?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 88rv.
How the Virgin Mary helped a sick monk to receive the holy communion)(incomplete at the beginning.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 89r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a young impoverished man by appearing as a wealthy woman to the father of a young woman and giving him the money needed for the young man to marry her (excerpt).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 90r.
How the Virgin Mary persuaded her son to forgive the Ishamalite by telling him that he could no longer sit on her lap unless he forgave the man (incomplete at the end).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 90rv.
How during her festival the Virgin Mary took a certain woman into paradise (incomplete at the beginning).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 91rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 7r-8v, 10r-16v.
How the wealthy farmer forgot to prepare a banquet for the feast day of Saint Michael the Archangel and how Saint Michael the Archangel forgave the farmer and protected his farm when it was invaded by worms.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 19v-20r.
How Jesus healed the deaf, dumb, and blind (Strelcyn 16, ?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 20v-21r.
Illustrations: Fols. 2r, 12r, 21r: Häräg.
Note in Amharic on the lower wooden board: "This wooden board will stay until it is changed."
Fols. 2r, 9rv, 10r, 11r, 12r, passim: Owner's name Wäldä Mika'el and scribe's name Gäbrä Kiros appear at the beginning of each homily.
The second owner has partially erased the original owner's name from the manuscript every time it appears and inserted over it "Habtä Wäld."
Fol. 141r: A note in another hand in Amharic: "This book belongs to [owner's name erased] of Däbrä Səlaləš [famous church in Gojam, Ethiopia]. Please commission someone to create a painting and binding [for this manuscript]. Then you can send it to me when it is convenient. The remaining [to be written] are Gospel of John, Secret of Heaven, Collection of Images, and Book of Penitence and Penance. It will be for the next generation [lit. son]."
Fol. 141v: Pen trial.
Loose folio with cataloging information and "bought by John Mason." Gift of John Mason.
No miniatures.
Physical Description2 cols., 20 lines. Paper Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Plain wooden boards, broken upper board, stitched and leather covered spine. Fols. 89v, 90r, 139r-140v, 142rv: Blank (deliberately left blank in middle of manuscript for paintings). Fols. 1vr and 141rv were originally the leather cover. Red and black yarns through upper folios mark the monthly readings.
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-12r.
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-10r.
1 itemLocated on folio 10r-11r.
1 itemLocated on folio 11rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 10r-11r.
1 itemLocated on folio 11v-12r.
1 itemLocated on folio 12r-20v.
1 itemLocated on folio 12r-18v.
1 itemLocated on folio 19r-20r.
1 itemLocated on folio 20rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 20v.
1 itemLocated on folio 21r-35v.
1 itemLocated on folio 21r-33r.
1 itemLocated on folio 33r-35r.
1 itemLocated on folio 35rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 35v.
1 itemLocated on folio 35v-42v.
1 itemLocated on folio 35v-40r.
1 itemLocated on folio 40r-42r.
1 itemLocated on folio 42rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 42v.
1 itemLocated on folio 42v-66v.
1 itemLocated on folio 42v-63r.
1 itemLocated on folio 63r-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 66rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 66v.
1 itemLocated on folio 66v-76v.
1 itemLocated on folio 66v-72v.
1 itemLocated on folio 72v-75v.
1 itemLocated on folio 75v-76v.
1 itemLocated on folio 76v.
1 itemLocated on folio 76v-83r.
1 itemLocated on folio 76v-79r.
1 itemLocated on folio 79r-82v.
1 itemLocated on folio 82v-83r.
1 itemLocated on folio 83r.
1 itemLocated on folio 83v-96r.
1 itemLocated on folio 83v-91v.
1 itemLocated on folio 91v-94v.
1 itemLocated on folio 94v-96r.
1 itemLocated on folio 96r.
1 itemLocated on folio 96r-105r.
1 itemLocated on folio 96r-102r.
1 itemLocated on folio 102r-104r.
1 itemLocated on folio 104r-105r.
1 itemLocated on folio 105r.
1 itemLocated on folio 105r-117v.
1 itemLocated on folio 105r-109r.
1 itemLocated on folio 109v-117r.
1 itemLocated on folio 117rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 117v.
1 itemLocated on folio 117v-122v.
1 itemLocated on folio 117v-121r.
1 itemLocated on folio 121r-122r.
1 itemLocated on folio 122v.
1 itemLocated on folio 122v.
1 itemLocated on folio 123r-132v.
1 itemLocated on folio 123r-127v.
1 itemLocated on folio 127v-131r.
1 itemLocated on folio 131r-132r.
Fols. 132v-141r: Asmat [hidden names] in original hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 132rv.
Fols. 132v-141r: Asmat [hidden names] in original hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 132v.
Fols. 132v-141r: Asmat [hidden names] in original hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 133r-138v.
The scribe used "räqiq" (small) script, which is common in manuscripts with musical notation, although this one does not have musical notation.
Some parts of the Psalter superscription are amended in a different hand. The text is also corrected in a later hand.
Owner: Wäldä Qirqos.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
No musical notation.
Physical Description1 col. [fols. 5r-133v], 25 lines; 2 col. [fols. 34-147], 25 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Wooden boards, stamped red leather, covered spine. Unusually square and thick manuscript for a Psalter. Red yarns through upper folios and words mark the daily readings: Monday (fol. 1r), Tuesday (fol. 39r), Wednesday (fol. 77r), Thursday (fol. 109r), Friday (fol. 131v), Saturday (fol. 149v), Sunday (fol. 165r).
Fol. 93r: Mid-section of the Psalms marked with a box with Ge'ez words in it stating "half of Psalms" in original hand.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 5r-115v.
1 itemLocated on folio 116r-127r.
Song of Songs is written in a different hand, a separate manuscript attached at the end.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 127v-133v.
Located on folio 134r-143r.
1 itemLocated on folio 134r-135r.
1 itemLocated on folio 135r-136v.
1 itemLocated on folio 136v-138r.
1 itemLocated on folio 138r-140r.
1 itemLocated on folio 140r-141v.
1 itemLocated on folio 141v-142r.
1 itemLocated on folio 142r-143r.
1 itemLocated on folio 143v-147v.
Illustration: Fol. 12r: Häräg.
Illustration: Fol. 111v: Miniature added later of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child and the angels.
Illustration: Fol. 112r: Drawing added later in pencil and blue and red ink of the owner, holding a cross and prayer beads, looking at the miniature on the opposite page of the Virgin Mary. With a caption stating "Wäldä Qirqos appeals to you [the Virgin Mary]."
Fol. 1rv: Pencil scrawls.
Fol. 19r: The owner or benefactor's name is given as Kənfä Mika'el.
Fol. 111r: In different, later hand, it says "This book belongs to Abba Fəsəha Wäldä Täklä Hayəmanot."
Fol. 112v: Partial Ge'ez alpabet.
No scribe listed.
Physical Description1 col., 16 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two miniatures. Partial, open leather case without slip or strap. Wooden boards, both broken and sewn. Stitched and open spine
Located on folio 2r-112v.
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-11v.
1 itemLocated on folio 12r-14v.
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-11v.
1 itemLocated on folio 14v-18v.
1 itemLocated on folio 18v-23v.
1 itemLocated on folio 23v-24v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the soul of the cannibal of Qəmər (Budge, Mary, 29; Strelcyn 32.16.29).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 24v-28v.
How the Virgin Mary spoke from her picture to a devout worshipper (Budge, Mary 2; Strelcyn 15.1.3, 32.16.2).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 24v-28v.
How the Virgin Mary carried a sick person from the Monastery of the Pilgrims to Jerusalem and showed him where Jesus was crucified and buried and baptized him in the waters of the Jordan (Budge, Mary, 9; Strelcyn 32.16.9).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29v-31r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a Roman youth called Zacharias who crowned her icon with roses and how she saved him from bandits because they saw roses flowing from his mouth when he recited her Hail Mary and how they converted and became monks (Budge, Mary, 10).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 31r-34v.
How the Virgin Mary helped a wealthy woman from Caesarea during a painful childbirth (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 34v-35v.
How the midwife Salome glorified Jesus (Strelcyn 16, 3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 36r-37v.
How Jesus saved the adulterer from stoning (Strelcyn 16, 14?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 38r-40r.
How Jesus healed the deaf, dumb, and blind (Strelcyn 16, ?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 40r-42r.
Text edited in S. Grebaut, see Strelcyn, p. 29.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 42v-56r.
1 itemLocated on folio 56r-58r.
1 itemLocated on folio 58v-65r.
1 itemLocated on folio 65rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 66r-78v.
1 itemLocated on folio 78v-90v.
1 itemLocated on folio 91r-94r.
1 itemLocated on folio 94r-105r.
1 itemLocated on folio 105r-111r.
Illustration: Fol. 41v: Häräg.
Fol. 1v. Pen trial, scrawls.
Illustration: Fols. 2rv: Seal of the Anaphora (host bread) ink and pencil drawing, with illegible text in pencil and some scrawls.
Fols. 19rv, 23v, 29r: Bishop Yohannəs [1939-1945 EC] is mentioned.
Fol. 37v: Bishop Qerəlos [1926-1950 EC] is mentioned.
Fols. 20v, 37r: King Iyassu [1913-1916 EC] is mentioned.
Fol. 50v: King Mənilək [1889-1913 EC] is mentioned.
Fols. 40v, 41v, 42r, 58v-62v: With musical notation.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Physical Description2 cols., 17-19 lines (varies from quire to quire). Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two miniatures. No case. Wooden boards, stitched and open spine. Fol. 1r: Blank.
Located on folio 3r-62v.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-9v.
1 itemLocated on folio 9v-41v.
1 itemLocated on folio 41v-58v.
Starts in the original hand and then switches on 59r to a different hand. It is incomplete at the end (the prayer called "Pilot of the Soul" is not written).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 58v-62v.
Illustrations: Fols. 3r, 13v, 19r, 26r, 35v, 48r, 53v, 65v, 73r, 83r, 96r: Häräg.
Fols. 1rv, 2v, 106rv, 107v: Pencil scrawls and pen trial.
Fols. 2r, 107r: Pencil notes, in a later hand, on family birthdays, including some in 1935, 1937, 1940 EC.
Fol. 105v: Scribe's name Haylä Maryam appears in the original text. He has written a note at the end of the manuscript that states: "Bless God who helped me, a sinner and his servant, Haylä Maryam, who is also called Bahərä Təbäb, and the one who commissioned [owner's name erased] [this manuscript] to finish in health and peace."
Owner's name erased.
Scribe: Haylä Maryam.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 col. [fols. 3r-96r], 24 lines; 2 col. [fols. 96r-105v], 26 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Wooden boards covered in stamped red leather, covered spine.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-83r.
1 itemLocated on folio 83r-91r.
1 itemLocated on folio 91r-96r.
Located on folio 96r-103r.
1 itemLocated on folio 96r-97r.
1 itemLocated on folio 97rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 97v-98v.
1 itemLocated on folio 98v-99v.
1 itemLocated on folio 99v-101r.
1 itemLocated on folio 101r-102r.
1 itemLocated on folio 102r-103r.
1 itemLocated on folio 103r-105v.
Fol. 94v: Errata, a paragraph that was omitted earlier in the manuscript is included here.
Fols. 1r, 2r, 97v: Pen trial and pencil scrawls.
In small hand throughout, with musical notations.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description2 cols., 20 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Glossy wooden boards, stitched and open spine. Fols. 1v, 2v, 92rv, 97r: Blank
1 itemLocated on folio 1r.
Located on folio 3-96v.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-94r.
1 itemLocated on folio 95r-96v.
Illustrations: Fols. 5r, 11r, 17v, 24r, 32r, 40r, 45v, 53v, 63v, 71r, 76r, 87v, 98v, 101v, 107v, 113v, 125v, 132r: Häräg.
Nontraditional, unique drawings added later, in the 1900s; captions not in same hand as original manuscript. Pen and ink wash. Not painted over text.
Illustration: Fol. 1r: Drawing of David: offering to fight Goliath.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Drawing of David: encountering Goliath, and another of David: slaying Goliath. David holds his slingshot and Goliath's sword. Caption states in Ge'ez "David who killed the powerful Goliath".
Illustration: Fols. 2v-3r: Drawing of Ethiopians lion hunting with rifles and other hunting paraphernalia. The lion appears in front of a tree. With the caption: "The hunter with the servants who carry the rifles." Below the lion is a crude imitation of the miniature in pencil.
Illustration: Fol. 3v: Drawing of Saint George: slaying the dragon, with eyewitness.
Illustration: Fol. 4v: Drawing of Ethiopians sword-fighting.
Illustration: Fol. 107v: Drawing of David: slaying Goliath. David holds his slingshot and Goliath's sword. Captions state in Ge'ez: "David who killed the powerful Goliath" and "Goliath died."
Illustration: Fol. 125r: Drawing of two horizontal spears below text.
Illustrations: Fol. 146v: Two drawings. First drawing of David: anointed. David in middle, servant on left holding the cup, Samuel on right anointing. Captions from left to right "servant," "David," and "Samuel, prophet of God, anoints David for his kingship." Second drawing of David: as musician. He is playing the harp while a servant looks on from the left.
Illustration: Fol. 147r: Drawing of Ethiopian church singers with musical instruments. Caption: "These scholars sing for Abba Yohannəs, who finished his [spiritual] combat with patience."
Illustration: Fol. 147v: Drawing of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child and Archangels Michael (left) and Gabriel (right). Caption from left to right: " Saint Mika'el," "With Her Beloved Son," and "Saint Gäbrə'el."
Illustration: Fol. 148r: Drawing of Saint George: slaying the dragon. Caption: "Saint Giyorgis."
Fols. 1r, 148v: Pen trial and in crude, later hand, a note of ownership: "This Psalter belongs to Wäsäne."
Fol. 1v: In crude, later hand, a note of ownership: "This Psalter belongs to Wäsäne."
Fol. 145r: Pen trial in pencil and ink (introductory hymn for Psalter).
Fol. 146r: Notes of the later transaction of this manuscript. A seller's name is mentioned: Alläqqa Tädlä; a buyer's name is mentioned: Ato Awəgəčäw.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Physical Description1 col. [fols. 5r-131v], 23 lines; 2 col. [fols. 132-145], 23 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Twelve miniatures. Leather case. Glossy wooden boards, stitched and open spine. Rebound with machine-made twine. Fols. 24v, 34v, 45r, 55r, 65r, 75r, 85r, 95r, 105r, 113r, 121r, 131r, 141r: Quires are marked with Ethiopic numerals: quire 1, 2, etc.
In another hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r.
In another hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1v.
In Amharic in another hand in purple ink and pencil.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 4r.
Psalm 118 does include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 5r-113r.
1 itemLocated on folio 113v-125r.
1 itemLocated on folio 125v-131v.
Located on folio 132r-141r.
1 itemLocated on folio 132rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 132v-134r.
1 itemLocated on folio 134r-136r.
1 itemLocated on folio 136r-137v.
1 itemLocated on folio 137v-139r.
1 itemLocated on folio 139r-140r.
1 itemLocated on folio 140r-141r.
1 itemLocated on folio 141r-145r.
In crude, later hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 145v-146r.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Miniature of the Holy Trinity seated with one garment.
Illustration: Fol. 8v: Miniature of Saint George slaying the Dragon.
Illustration: Fol. 16v: Miniature of the Virgin Mary with the Christ Child and angels with drawn swords.
Illustration: Fol. 24v: Miniature of Christ: Crowned with Thorns, and Jews with swords on his left and right.
Illustration: Fol. 32v: Miniature of the Christ: Crucifixion: One Cross, with the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist and other women.
Illustration: Fol. 40v: Miniature of Virgin Mary with her parents Joachim and Hannah (Anna).
Illustration: Fols. 43r, 59r: Häräg.
Illustration: Fol. 48r: Miniature of Christ with the Apostle Peter.
Illustration: Fol. 56v: Miniature of Christ Raising Adam and Eve to Paradise.
Illustration: Fol. 64v: Miniature of Christ between two kings.
Illustration: Fol. 75r: Miniature of Christ: Ascension, surrounded by angels.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 col. [1r-59r], 24 lines; 2 col. [59r-75v], 24 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Eleven miniatures. Leather case. Wooden boards, lower stamped red leather board is original to the manuscript, upper board is leather and newer. Stitched and partially open spine. The first half of the Psalter is missing and the first quire has folios out of sequence. The whole has unrelated miniatures painted over text (probably to increase its sales value). Fol. 1r: Text erased (originally was the beginning of Psalm 91) to disguise that the book was divided into half (probably for the market). Fol. 1r, 76rv: Blank.
Incomplete at the beginning, starts with the end of Psalm 91. Psalm 118 does include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r-43r.
1 itemLocated on folio 43r-53r.
1 itemLocated on folio 53r-59r.
Located on folio 59r-69v.
1 itemLocated on folio 59r-60r.
1 itemLocated on folio 60r-62r.
1 itemLocated on folio 62r-63v.
1 itemLocated on folio 63v-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 66r-67v.
1 itemLocated on folio 67v-68v.
1 itemLocated on folio 68v-69v.
1 itemLocated on folio 69v-74v.
In another trained hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 74v.
In another trained hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 75v.
Fols. 10v, 11rv, 12v, passim: The owner's names Haylä Maryam and Wälätä Maryam appear at the beginning and ending of every text.
Fols. 9v, 11rv, 12v, passim: The scribe's name Wäldä Eləyas appears at the beginning and ending of every text.
Fols. 105rv: Pen trial.
No miniatures.
Late 18th century with 20th-century additions.
Physical Description2 cols., 19-24 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Leather case. Glossy wooden upper boards, plain wooden board used to mend original lower board; stitched and open spine. Fols. 1r-3v: Blank
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-12v.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-10v.
1 itemLocated on folio 10v-11v.
1 itemLocated on folio 11v-12v.
1 itemLocated on folio 12v.
1 itemLocated on folio 12v-19v.
1 itemLocated on folio 12v-18r.
1 itemLocated on folio 18r-19r.
1 itemLocated on folio 19rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 19v.
1 itemLocated on folio 19v-29v.
1 itemLocated on folio 21v-24r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14v-21v.
1 itemLocated on folio 25r.
1 itemLocated on folio 19v-28v.
1 itemLocated on folio 28v-29v.
1 itemLocated on folio 29v-35r.
1 itemLocated on folio 29v-33r.
1 itemLocated on folio 33r-34v.
1 itemLocated on folio 34v.
1 itemLocated on folio 34v-35r.
1 itemLocated on folio 35r-52r.
1 itemLocated on folio 35r-49v.
1 itemLocated on folio 49v-51v.
1 itemLocated on folio 51v-52r.
1 itemLocated on folio 52r.
1 itemLocated on folio 52r-61r.
1 itemLocated on folio 52r-57r.
1 itemLocated on folio 57r-60r.
1 itemLocated on folio 60r-61r.
1 itemLocated on folio 61r.
1 itemLocated on folio 61r-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 61r-62v.
1 itemLocated on folio 62v-65v.
1 itemLocated on folio 65v-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 66r-77r.
1 itemLocated on folio 66r-72v.
1 itemLocated on folio 73r-75v.
1 itemLocated on folio 75v-77r.
1 itemLocated on folio 77r.
1 itemLocated on folio 77v-85v.
1 itemLocated on folio 77v-82r.
1 itemLocated on folio 82r-84v.
1 itemLocated on folio 84v-85r.
1 itemLocated on folio 85v.
1 itemLocated on folio 85v-95v.
1 itemLocated on folio 85v-89r.
1 itemLocated on folio 89r-95r.
1 itemLocated on folio 95rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 95v.
1 itemLocated on folio 95v-99v.
1 itemLocated on folio 95v-98r.
1 itemLocated on folio 98r-99r.
1 itemLocated on folio 99rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 99v.
1 itemLocated on folio 99v-107r.
1 itemLocated on folio 99v-103r.
1 itemLocated on folio 103r-106v.
In a later hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 105v.
1 itemLocated on folio 106v-107r.
1 itemLocated on folio 107r.
In later hand, a poem and a note in Amharic in green pen, largely illegible dated "30/12/52" EC [August 1959 AD].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 108rv.
Musical notation system used throughout. Small hand.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description2 cols., 23 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Plain wooden boards, stitched and open spine, deteriorated binding. Fols. 1 and 2: cut and detached from the quire. Fol. 54v: Blank
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-54r.
Illustrations: Fols. 5r, 19v, 30r, 38v, 63r, 72r, 88v: Häräg with angels.
Fols. 9v, 55r, 26r, 77r, 88r, 102r: Owner's name Habtä Maryam Täfära appears in original text.
Fols. 102r: Scribe's name Wäldä Maryam appears in original text.
Fols. 102r: The owner of the manuscript has had listed his wife and children's baptismal names (in the same hand as the manuscript).
Illustration: Fol. 104v: Crude drawing of angel.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 col., 14 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No miniatures. No case. Wooden boards covered with red stamped leather, stitched and covered binding. Fols. 1r, 4v, 102v-104r: Blank
Located on folio 5r-84r.
1 itemLocated on folio 5r-9v.
1 itemLocated on folio 10r-19r.
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-54r.
1 itemLocated on folio 19v-29v.
1 itemLocated on folio 30r-38r.
1 itemLocated on folio 38v-50r.
1 itemLocated on folio 50r-62v.
1 itemLocated on folio 63r-71v.
1 itemLocated on folio 72r-78r.
1 itemLocated on folio 78r-84r.
1 itemLocated on folio 84r-88r.
1 itemLocated on folio 88v-102r.
Illustrations: Fols. 5r, 20v, 23v, 29r, 47r, 68r, 100r, 103v, 131r: Häräg.
Illustration: Fol. 81v: Magical charts based on the name of Ananəya, one of the three holy children rescued from the furnace.
Fols. 9r, 10r, 12rv, 16rv, 17v passim: The owner's name, Wäldä Maryam, appears at the end of every prayer.
Part of the seal states in Ge'ez "Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Menelik the King of Kings of Ethiopia."
Fols. 14v, 24v, 34v, 44v, 54v, 64v, 74v, 84v, 94v, 103r, 113r, 123r, 133r: Quires are marked with Ethiopic numerals: quire 1, 2, etc.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 cols., 12 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Plain wooden boards, stitched and open spine. Fols. 1r-4v,140v-142v: Blank
Fol. 35r: The daily readings were marked but erased (except on this folio) on the relevant pages at the top of the folio.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 5r-99v.
1 itemLocated on folio 100r-130v.
1 itemLocated on folio 131r-139v.
Illustration: In gold on a red background, a seal with the crowned lion of the tribe of Judah carrying a cross inside a circle with sun rays and Ge'ez words. Part of the seal states in Ge'ez "Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Menelik the King of Kings of Ethiopia."
Loose folio: On green paper "1907 A merry Christmas and a happy 1908 New-year to Rob." Then, "from Enno Littmann" and "Seal of Menilek II Inscription: Prevailed hath the Lion of the tribe of Judah! Menilik [sic] the king of Kings of Ethiopia."
Physical Description1 itemPaper25 x 29 cm
Illustration: In gold on green background, a seal with a cross inside of a star of David inside a circle with Ge'ez words.
Part of the seal states in Ge'ez "Däjazmač Gäbrä Səlasse of T. M. A." TMA is an abbreviation meaning he was the governor of Tigre, Marb, and Adua Provinces. For information about this governor (d. 1931), see his entry in Aethiopica Encyclopedia, vol. 2, p. 628."
Loose folio: On green paper "Seal of Dadjazmatch Gabra Sellese. Inscription: Gabra Sellase the governor of Tigre of the province of the Marab and of Adua."
Physical Description1 itemPaper25 x 29 cm
Fol. 1r: Pen trial.
Fols. 11v, 27r: Owner's name listed as Kidanä Wäld.
Fol. 27r: Scribe's name is listed as Habtä Maryam.
Fol. 50v: Colophon is not original to manuscript, the manuscript itself dates to earlier than late 1800s and appears to be from the 1700s.
Fols. 50v: In a different hand, at the bottom of the second column, after a horizontal line: "In this year of Luke [the Evangelist] 7399 EC [sic] Year of Creation, on the 18th day of the month of Təqəmt, at the 11th hour, the earthquake happened [lit. the earth was shaken]. On the 13th day of the month of Hədar (on the second night of the moon), [the body of] Dägač Nadäw was transferred [i.e. moved by the family]. It was 21 years ago that he died." The year of creation 7399 is 1899 AD. The year of Dägač Nadäw's death is 1888 AD. On the military commander and close associate of Menelik II, Dägač Nadäw, see the Aethiopica Encyclopedia entry, vol. 3, p 1093.
Fol. 52r: Pencil scrawls. In a later hand, someone tried to write "Abətä Yohanäs [sic] the apostle."
Handwritten letters in Ge'ez to Enno Littman, enclosed in archival slip The letter marked "(a)" is from Yirdaw, brother of Kidanä Wäld, and it starts: "O Dr. Littman, scholar and wise man, I received your letter and I took seven francs from the German consulate. I have so many things I want to say to you because you are faithful in small things. Said by Yirdaw, brother of Kidanä Wäld, Written in Holy Jerusalem, on 12 of the month of Təqəmt." The letter marked (b) is from Kidanä Wäld, brother of Yirdaw. It says: "O Dr. Littman, full of new wisdom, I received your letter, with powerful words even though the size is small. I took the money [you sent] from Hannah Faris, which is 30 francs. May God protect you in your going out and your coming in forever... I have so many things I want to say to you because you are faithful in small things. Said by Kidanä Wäld, brother of Yirdaw. Written in Holy Jerusalem, on 12 of the month of Təqəmt."
Gift of Enno Littmann.
Physical Description1 col. and 2 col. (see notes below). Parchment Codex. Varied lines per page: Written in black and red ink. No case. Glossy wooden boards, stitched and open spine. Original binding missing, machine-made twine used. The quires of the book were mis-ordered in binding the book, so that the same text is not continuous. In the cases of Image of Täklä Haymanot and Prayer of Mary at Golgotha, the beginning folios of each appears last.
1 itemLocated on folio 1v, 12r.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," No. 211)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r-6v, 9r-11v, 18r-20v, 33rv, 34rv.
(2 Col.)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 4r-8v, 11v, 16rv, 21rv, 25rv, 27r, 28r-30v, 35r-37v .
(1 Col.)
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," 187)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 12rv, 17rv, 26rv, 31r-32v, 34r, 39rv.
(1 Col.)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13r-15v, 22r-24v, 27rv, 38rv, 40r.
(2 Col.)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 40rv, 46r-47v.
(2 Col.)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41r-45v, 48r-50r.
In another hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 50r.
In Amharic. In another hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 51r.
In another hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 51rv.
In another hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 51v-52.
In crude hand in pen.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 52r.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Miniature of the Archangel Michael raising a dead person. Below it, in separate frame of the image, are two people weeping over a shrouded body with a face in outline rising from it.
Illustration: Fol. 2v: Miniature of the Archangel Michael bringing souls out of hell. Caption states in Ge'ez: "Icon of Saint Michael: How he brought souls." Figure in white may be someone Saint Michael saved or the owner (although perhaps the owner would not have himself portrayed in hell).
Illustration: Fol. 66v: Drawing, no color, of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child with angels with drawn swords. Caption states in Ge'ez "With her beloved son."
Illustration: Fol. 1v: Pen trial and faint pencil drawing of Saint George slaying the dragon.
Fol. 1r: In later hand, in ball point pen, "This homily belongs to Liqä Diyaqon Täšomä."
Fols. 9r, 13v, 14r, 21r, 24r, passim: The original owner's name has been erased and replaced with Zäyohannəs and Məskabä Dəngəl at the end of every homily and miracle
Fol. 14v: The second owners' names have been erased and replaced with Kənfä Mika'el.
Fol. 25r: The second owners' names have been erased and replaced with Wäldä Giyorgis.
Fols. 65r, 68v: The scribe's name is mentioned, Efrem.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description2 cols., 25 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Three miniatures. Leather case with strap, one end detached. Wooden boards covered with stamped red leather, stitched and open spine. Fol. 69: Single leaf sewn in, belonging to another manuscript.
Located on folio 3r-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-9r.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-7v.
1 itemLocated on folio 8r-9r.
1 itemLocated on folio 9r.
1 itemLocated on folio 9r-14v.
1 itemLocated on folio 9r-13v.
1 itemLocated on folio 13v-14r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 14v-21v.
1 itemLocated on folio 14v-21v.
1 itemLocated on folio 21rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 21v.
1 itemLocated on folio 21v-25r.
1 itemLocated on folio 21v-24r.
1 itemLocated on folio 24r-25r.
1 itemLocated on folio 25r.
1 itemLocated on folio 25r-38r.
1 itemLocated on folio 25r-37r.
1 itemLocated on folio 37r-38r.
1 itemLocated on folio 38r.
1 itemLocated on folio 38r-43r.
1 itemLocated on folio 38r-41v.
1 itemLocated on folio 41v-43r.
1 itemLocated on folio 43r.
1 itemLocated on folio 43r-46r.
1 itemLocated on folio 43r-44v.
1 itemLocated on folio 44v-45v.
1 itemLocated on folio 45v-46r.
1 itemLocated on folio 46r-52r.
1 itemLocated on folio 46r-51r.
1 itemLocated on folio 51r-52r.
1 itemLocated on folio 52r.
1 itemLocated on folio 52r-56r.
1 itemLocated on folio 52r-55r.
1 itemLocated on folio 55v-56r.
1 itemLocated on folio 56r.
1 itemLocated on folio 56r-59r.
1 itemLocated on folio 56r-58r.
1 itemLocated on folio 58r-59r.
1 itemLocated on folio 59r.
1 itemLocated on folio 59r-61v.
1 itemLocated on folio 59r-61r.
1 itemLocated on folio 61rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 61v.
1 itemLocated on folio 62r-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 62r-64v.
1 itemLocated on folio 64v-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 66r.
In another hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 66r.
How the Archangel Gabriel announced the Virgin Mary when she was spinning silk yarn for the temple.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 67r-68v.
In another hand, fitted around the bottom of the existing text.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68v-69v.
In another hand, from another manuscript.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68v-69v.
Illustrations: fol. 3r: Häräg.
Fol. 148v: Pen trial at the bottom of the second column.
Illustration: Fol. 149r: Pencil drawing of a man's face.
Fols. 43v-45v: Psalms 56-59 are misnumbered 55-58.
Fols. 77v-78r: A folio is missing, text goes from middle of Psalm 96 to middle of Psalm 98.
Fols. 102v: Psalm 120 is misnumbered 129.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 col. [fols. 3r-137r], 22-23 lines; 2 col. [fols. 137v-148v], 22 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Fols. 1r-2v, 149v: Blank. Glossy wooden boards, broken upper and lower boards sewn together. Stitched and open spine.
Fol. 60v: Cross in red and black marking the mid-point of the Psalms.
Psalm 118 does include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-117v.
1 itemLocated on folio 118r-129v.
1 itemLocated on folio 130r-137r.
Located on folio 137v-145v.
1 itemLocated on folio 137v-138r.
1 itemLocated on folio 138r-139v.
1 itemLocated on folio 139v-141r.
1 itemLocated on folio 141r-143r.
1 itemLocated on folio 143r-144r.
1 itemLocated on folio 144rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 145rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 145v-148v.
Fol. 1r: Pencil scrawls.
Fol. 18r: The original owner's name was left blank and, in crude hand, the name Gäbrä Maryam inserted.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Physical Description1 col. [3r-33v], 12 lines; 2 col. [34r-65v], 18 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Plain wooden boards, stitched and open spine. Fols. 1v-2v, 16v-17v: Blank. Two manuscripts have been bound together, they are in different hands.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-16r.
1 itemLocated on folio 18r-33v.
1 itemLocated on folio 34r-56v.
1 itemLocated on folio 56v-65v.
Illustrations: Fols. 3r, 8v, 14r, 20r, 28r, 34r, 38v, 55r, 61v, 66r, 76r, 79v, 88r, 93r, 98v, 109r, 115r, 123v: Häräg.
Illustration: fol. 1v: Miniature of a mustached man in purple and red. Probably the owner.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Miniature of King David playing the harp.
Illustration: Fol. 43v: Miniature of Christ: Crucifixion: One Cross: with the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist.
Striking images are atypical of Psalters, but these are not painted over the text, they are original to the manuscript.
Fols. 1r, 2v: In another hand, information on determining the hours by measuring the shadows of the sun (continued across folios).
Fols. 2v, 128rv: In another hand, information on when to break fasts (continued across folios).
Fol. 119v: Missing lines inserted in upper margin.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 col. [fols. 3r-114v], 24-25 lines; 2 col. [fols. 115r-128v], 25 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Three miniatures. Leather case without strap. Wooden boards with stamped red leather and cloth insert inside leather cover. Covered spine.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Fol. 51r: Cross in black ink, with the words "half of them" in Ge'ez inside, marking the mid-point of the Psalms.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-98r.
1 itemLocated on folio 98v-109r.
1 itemLocated on folio 109r-114v.
Located on folio 115r-123v.
1 itemLocated on folio 115rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 115v-117r.
1 itemLocated on folio 117r-118v.
1 itemLocated on folio 118v-120v.
1 itemLocated on folio 120v-121v.
1 itemLocated on folio 121v-122v.
1 itemLocated on folio 122v-123v.
1 itemLocated on folio 123v-127v.
Illustration: Fol. 2v: Miniature of Christ and the Four Beasts (Creatures). Painted to the corners, but does not cover any original text.
Illustration: Fol. 10v: Miniature of Saint George slaying the dragon. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 11r: Miniature of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child with two angels holding up her mantle. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 27r: Miniature of Christ: Crucifixion: One Cross, with the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 67r: Miniature of resurrected Christ raising up Adam and Eve. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 90v: Miniature of the Ascension of Christ. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 122v: Miniature of Christ and the Pharisees. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 140r: Miniature of Saint Mika'el (?) on throne and with cross. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 170v: Miniature of Saint Täklä Haymanot. Painted to the corners of the folio and over text.
Illustration: Fol. 197r: Miniature of the Virgin Mary saving a soul from hell. Painted to the corners of the folio but not over text.
Illustration: Fol. 197v: Miniature of a knight with a sword on a horse and a bloody, dead warrior on the ground. Painted to the corners of the folio but not over text.
Illustration: Fol. 199r: Miniature of two unidentified saints. Painted to the corners of the folio but not over text.
Fols. 1r, 2r: Pen trial.
Fol. 1v: In purple ink, upside down, in a later hand, appears the name "Qes Adämä Ayälä."
The owner's name appears at the beginning and ending of every miracle as Kənfä Mika'el.
Fol. 196v: States in the text that the owner Kənfä Mika'el gave the manuscript to the Church of Šaka Yohannəs.
Fol. 199v: Upside down, in the original hand, the beginning of the Miracle of Jesus on his baptism.
No scribe listed.
At the end of each miracle, the scribe has left four blank lines to be filled in later with the concluding hymn.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description2 cols., 24 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Twelve miniatures. No case. Wooden boards with stamped red leather, stitched and open spine
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-5v.
1 itemLocated on folio 5r-6v.
Located on folio 6v-166r.
How the Ark of the Covenant came into Ethiopia and how the prophecy about Zion the ark is fulfilled by the Virgin Mary.
Illustration: A large portion of this Ethiopian miracle covered by paintings (two folios).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 6v-12r.
1 itemLocated on folio 12rv.
How the Virgin Mary was born to Jacob and Hanna.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13r-14v.
The Story of the Infant Mary in the Temple (not in Budge or Herolt).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 14v-15v.
How the Virgin Mary was annunciated by Saint Gabriel while she was spinning silk.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 15v-17r.
How the Virgin Mary immaculately conceived Jesus and how Joseph was told about her conception by the Holy Spirit in a dream so that he would not doubt her.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 17r-18v.
How the Virgin Mary gave birth.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 18v-19v.
How the Virgin Mary and the Christ child received the wise men and the shepherds of Bethlehem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 19v-21r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Tewoflos the Archbishop of Alexandria and told him about the events surrounding Jesus's birth and the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt (see Timotewos miracle).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 21r-30r.
How the Virgin Mary accepted the book of her miracles compiled by Saint Hildefonsus [Däqsəyos], Bishop of Toledo (Budge, Mary 1; Strelcyn 15.1.1, 32.16.1; also commonly first in medieval European collections).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30r-32r.
How Jesus asked the Virgin Mary about the five lamentations.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 32rv.
How the Virgin Mary gave a child to a family in the country of the Europeans (Afərəng) in the state of the French (Färansa) in and how she saved him from wrongful accusation and a death sentence by hanging (Budge, Mary, 22).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 32v-37v.
How Sybil the prophetess saw a vision of the Virgin Mary holding her child within a circle around the sun (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 37v-39r.
How the Sycamore tree swallowed the Holy Family when they were in Egypt and the bandits tried to rob them.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 39v-42v.
How the Virgin Mary cursed the people of a certain city in Egypt, while the Holy Family was there, when they treated her with disdain and how the city was swallowed by the ground.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 42v-43v.
How the Virgin Mary cursed the people of a certain city in Egypt, while the Holy Family was there, when they treated her with disdain and and the people's faces became that of wild animals.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43v-44r.
How the Virgin Mary blessed and healed the people of a certain city in Egypt when the king invited her to visit.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44v-45v.
How the Holy Family visited Egypt and blessed Asqetəs and how Jesus caused water to well up from the ground using Joseph's rod.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 45v-48r.
Homily of Cyril of Jerusalem on the Icon of the Virgin Mary in Sedenəya of Damascus.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 48v-54r.
How the Virgin Mary caused a stream to reverse course (Budge, Mary, 36).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 54r.
How the Virgin Mary spoke from her picture to a devout worshipper (Budge, Mary 2; Strelcyn 15, 1.3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 54v.
How Abbas, Bishop of Rome, cut off his hand which had been kissed by a woman when he was celebrating the Eucharist, and how the Virgin Mary rejoined it to his arm (Budge, Mary, 5).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the dying scribe Damianus (Budge, Mary, 4).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55v-56r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Isaac, the monk, and promised to take him to herself after three days (Budge, Mary, 6).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 56r-57r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared out of her picture to Mary, the daughter of a certain God-fearing man, and promised to take her to Paradise after three days (Budge, Mary, 7).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 57rv.
How a painter was saved by the Virgin Mary when he fell from a scaffold (Budge, Mary, 8).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 57v-58v.
How the Virgin Mary carried a sick person from the Monastery of the Pilgrims to Jerusalem and showed him where Jesus was crucified and buried and baptized him in the waters of the Jordan (Budge, Mary, 9).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 58v-59r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a Roman youth called Zacharias who crowned her icon with roses and how she saved him from bandits because they saw roses flowing from his mouth when he recited her sälam and how they converted and became monks (Budge, Mary, 10).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 59r-60v.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen property of two women called Juliana and Barbara, when they were on pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Budge, Mary, 11).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 60v-61r.
How the Virgin Mary saved two Muslims from the storm when they called on her name (Budge, Mary, 12).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 61r-62r.
How the Virgin Mary moved a monastery near Jericho to Jericho (Budge, Mary, 13).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 62rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the eyes of Yohannəs Bäkänəsi, the blind priest in Egypt, by anointing him with milk from her breasts (Budge, Mary, 14).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 62v-63v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the merchant from Colossae after being shot in the eye with an arrow by pirates (Budge, Mary, 15).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 63v-64r.
How the Virgin Mary restored the sight of a certain blind girl of Bədərman with her breath and milk (Budge, Mary, 16).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 64v-65v.
How the Virgin Mary arranged marriages for two poor girls called Martha and Yäwahit (Budge, Mary, 17).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 65v-66v.
How the Virgin Mary delivered the soul of the scribe who was writing the book of her miracles (Budge, Mary, 18). Miracle has one folio painted over.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 66v-67v.
How the Virgin Mary delivered from prison a certain man called Giyorgis (Budge, Mary, 19).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 67v-68r.
How the Virgin Mary protected the elderly priest called Qätir (Budge, Mary, 20).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68rv.
How the Virgin Mary sent Saint George to threaten a Qädi (Islamic leader) for imprisoning a Christian (Budge, Mary, 21).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68v-69v.
How the Virgin Mary healed a man with a stone foot (Budge, Mary, 22).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 70rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the Bishop Märqorəwos of his leprosy (Budge, Mary, 23).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 70v-71r.
How a certain rich man hurled a loaf at the head of a beggar and wounded him, and how the Virgin Mary delivered his soul from the devils (Budge, Mary, 86).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 71v-72v.
How the Virgin Mary helped a wealthy woman from Caesarea during a painful childbirth (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 72v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the blind daughter from the city of Qähar.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 53v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the foot of a widow from Harətärom (Budge, Mary, 24).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73v-74v.
How the Virgin Mary raised the son of a certain man from Capadocia (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 74v-75r.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary spoke to a certain woman whose mother-in-law was opposed to her devotion to the icon of the Virgin and how the icon disappeared because of the mother-in-law's objection.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 75rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the sick deacon by anointing him with her breast milk (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 75r-76v.
How the Virgin Mary gave children to a certain woman whose nine children had died when the woman promised that they would become priests and deacons.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 76v-77r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Syrian potter and how he glorified her (Budge, Mary, 35).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 77r-79r.
How Marəqos, King of Rome, fled from his palace for the monastery for the love of the Virgin Mary) (Budge?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 79rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved Qiras the thief.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 80rv.
How the Virgin Mary commanded a deacon to dig up and rebury in consecrated ground the body of an adulterous deacon from the island of Jericho in the city of Gärisat who was killed by the people) (Budge, Mary, 103, similar to Romances, Cleopatra 9 about Chartres?.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 80v-81v.
How the Virgin Mary cut out and sewed a garment for Filatawos, a bishop of the city of Sä'id in Upper Egypt (Budge, Mary, 40).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 81v-82r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Paricos when Filatawos refused to give him penance.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 82r-83r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the woman in childbirth from drowning (Budge, Mary, 32; Strelcyn 32.16.31; Bland 2; Romances, Cleopatra 3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 83r-84r.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Anəsətasəyos (Budge, Mary, 27).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 84r-85r.
How a certain king from Afəras (France) named Niqodimos recited the Hail Mary his whole life and when he died a tree with Hail Mary written on its leaves sprang from his tomb (Budge, Mary, 38).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 85rv.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Barok, a dissolute man (Budge, Mary, 26).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 85v-86v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Bishop to restore a priest called Enədrəyas who knew only the anaphora of the Virgin Mary (Budge, Mary, 102).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 86v-87r.
How the Virgin Mary saved from a great snake Eskənədros the Jew from Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 87v-88r.
How the Virgin Mary saved from death a governor of Ephesus named Armatəyas.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 88v-89r.
How the Virgin Mary aided in the delivery of a child to an abbess before the bishop came to enquire into the matter (Budge, Mary, 25; Bland 24 also in Vincent de Beauvais (from 1264 AD). Middle of miracle, one folio, painted over.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 89r-91r.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary bowed and responded to the prayer and the bows of a certain monastery's monks (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 91r-92r.
How a certain Muslim was converted when he saw oil and Myron from the breasts of the icon of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 92r-93r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a young impoverished man and how the church keeper gave his daughter to him.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 93r-94r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the wealthy person from the angels of darkness when he died.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 94r-95r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the thief from hanging.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 95r-96r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the widow and commanded her to recite the "Hail Mary" (Budge, Mary, ? ).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 96rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a priest named Yohannəs as a woman with wings like a bird.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 97r.
How the Virgin Mary interceded and returned a fallen angel to heaven.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 97v-98v.
How the Virgin Mary saved Timothy, a drunken monk, from a lion and a mad dog (Budge, Mary, 37).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 98v-99v.
How the Virgin Mary saved a certain man from drowning when the ship was sinking.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 99v-100v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a man from France (Färasawi) when he denied Christ but kept his devotion to the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 100v-101v.
How the Virgin Mary recovered a ring stolen by a Muslim and swallowed by the fish for a deacon named Mika' el.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 101v-104r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a monk to escape the monastery of Qäləmon when persecuted by other monks when he breached the wall of the church by hitting it with his skull cap (Budge, Mary, 28; Strelcyn 32.16.28).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 104r-106r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the French man named Nifon and lead him to the monastic life.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 106r-107v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a monk from the island in Tigris when he couldn't walk and his friends carried him to the church.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 107v-108r.
How the Virgin Mary took the shepherd into paradise.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 108r-109r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the sister of the thief crucified at the right hand of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 109v-110v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Tewoflos the Archbishop of Alexandria and told him about the events surrounding Jesus's birth when Herod killed the children of Bethlehem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 110v-113r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Tewoflos the Archbishop of Alexandria and told him about the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 113r-115vr.
How the Virgin Mary saved the monks of Däbrä Qälmon from Arabs.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 115v-118r.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the property of the monks of Däbrä Qälmon which had been looted by Berber men.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 118v-121r.
How the Virgin Mary saved Jacob the Short from the hand of the Arabs (incomplete, 122v is painted over).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 122rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Qomos (priest) Rafa'el and how she left her handprint on his body.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 123r-124v.
How the Virgin Mary punished the Arab when he defied the icon of Saint Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 124v-125v.
How the Virgin Mary helped Archbishop [of Alexandria] Gäbrə'el when he tried to send his book, Book of Hawi, to Saint Anthony's Monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 126r-128r.
How the Virgin Mary saved a man named Nəkal of the city of Märg Wäkim from prison and how she led him into martydom.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 128r-129v.
How the Virgin Mary guarded the virginity of a priest and nun and how the Virgin Mary revealed their holiness when the rumor circulated about them.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 129v-132r.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary healed a woman who suffered from hemorrhage.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 132r-133v.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen book Acts of Barbara and Julia (incomplete, text on fol. 135r painted over).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 89r.
How the Virgin Mary protected the candle oil for the icon from spilling.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 135r-136v.
How the Virgin Mary punished a man who attacked and stole from some monks.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 136v-138r.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary protected Christians in Atrib, Egypt, from the hand of Arabs.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 138r-139r.
How the mother of Yohannəs of Säməbat of lower Egypt received a pious Ethiopian monk and went with him to Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 139r-141r.
How the Afrənəgawi [European man] took the key from the Church of Bethlehem and how the Virgin Mary revealed her power when the Afärəngi was strangled by it.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 141r-143r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Muslim and converted him to Christianity and led him to his martyrdom.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 143r-144r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared with archangels, saints, and martyrs at the Däbrä Mətmaq Monastery in Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 144v-150r.
How the Virgin Mary punished the camel leader of Däbrä Mətmaq Monastery when he stole property from the monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 150r-152r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Isaac, the monk, and promised to take him to herself after three days.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 152r-153r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Deacon Yohannəs at Däbrä Mətmaq Monastery in the Pillar of Light.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 153r-154r.
How the Virgin Mary filled the well at Däbrä Mətmaq Monastery with water.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 154r-155v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared with saints who are buried at the monastery of Asqetəs.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 155v-156r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a certain monk from the monastery of Asqetəs when he pleaded with the icon of the Virgin Mary to save him from demons.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 156rv.
How the Virgin Mary turned on the lamp in the City of Gaza.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 157r-158r.
How the Virgin Mary saved a man called Joseph when he fell into a well.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 158v-161r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the miner when the mine collapsed in the city of Aragon in Capadocia (Budge, Mary,78).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 161r-162r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the cupbearer of the king of France (Afransa) when he was tricked into offending the king.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 163r-164v.
How the Virgin Mary saved a man when he denied Christ after Satan promised him great wealth.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 164v-166r.
Located on folio 166v-196v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166v-167v.
How Judas Iscariot killed himself and how the Jewish leader took the money and gave it to the soldiers who guarded the tomb of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 191v-194r.
How Jesus Christ sent his disciples to bring the donkey and its foal and entered into Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 194v-196v.
Illustrations: Fols. 34v-35v: Fortune-telling charts with birthdates and letters of names.
Illustrations: Fols. 36rv: Magical pictures representing the four quarters of the heavens.
Illustrations: Fols. 37r-44v: Sixteen magical circles.
Illustrations: Fols. 72v-73r: Talismanic symbol.
Fol. 114v: Note is made of the Ethiopian kings from the first king of the Solomonic dynasty, Yəkuno Amlak (r. 1270-1285), through King Takla Haymanot (r. 1788- 89) and "up to now," King Tekle Giyorgis, who ruled off and on from 1788 to 1800 AD.
According to Aethiopica Encyclopedia (p. 402), "The Cycle of the Kings" consists of "circular tables dealing with divination and fortune-telling." The "basis of the fortune-telling is 16 sixteen-sector schemes named after lakes or rivers ... in Ethiopia... The schemes always have the same division, there are only differences in the lettering (in alphabetical order) of the segments. Each scheme and its segments find their explanation (i.e. the answer to the question posed) in corresponding texts following the tables."
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 col. [fols. 1-30, 117-126]; 2 columns [fols. 31-116]; lines vary throughout. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two miniatures. Leather carrying case with strap. Wooden boards, broken lower board, stitched and open spine. Fols. 82r-85v: Inserted four-folio quire of tiny size: 6 cm x 7.5 cm.
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-3v.
1 itemLocated on folio 2v.
1 itemLocated on folio 4r.
1 itemLocated on folio 4v.
1 itemLocated on folio 5r.
1 itemLocated on folio 5v.
1 itemLocated on folio 6r.
1 itemLocated on folio 6r-8v.
1 itemLocated on folio 9r.
1 itemLocated on folio 9v.
1 itemLocated on folio 9v-10v.
1 itemLocated on folio 11r.
1 itemLocated on folio 11v.
1 itemLocated on folio 12r.
1 itemLocated on folio 12v.
1 itemLocated on folio 13r.
1 itemLocated on folio 13r.
1 itemLocated on folio 13r.
1 itemLocated on folio 13v-14r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14v.
1 itemLocated on folio 14v-15r.
1 itemLocated on folio 15r.
1 itemLocated on folio 15r.
1 itemLocated on folio 15rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 15v.
1 itemLocated on folio 15v-16r.
1 itemLocated on folio 16r.
1 itemLocated on folio 16rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 16v.
1 itemLocated on folio 16v-17r.
1 itemLocated on folio 17r.
1 itemLocated on folio 17v.
1 itemLocated on folio 17v.
1 itemLocated on folio 17v.
1 itemLocated on folio 18r.
1 itemLocated on folio 18r.
1 itemLocated on folio 18v.
1 itemLocated on folio 19rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 20r-44v.
1 itemLocated on folio 45r-71r.
1 itemLocated on folio 45r-47r.
1 itemLocated on folio 47r-48v.
1 itemLocated on folio 48v-51v.
1 itemLocated on folio 51v-55r.
1 itemLocated on folio 55r-58v.
1 itemLocated on folio 58v-60r.
1 itemLocated on folio 60r-62r.
1 itemLocated on folio 62r-64r.
1 itemLocated on folio 64r-66v.
1 itemLocated on folio 66v-68r.
1 itemLocated on folio 68r-69v.
1 itemLocated on folio 69v-71v.
1 itemLocated on folio 71v-72r.
1 itemLocated on folio 72r-72v.
1 itemLocated on folio 72v-73r.
1 itemLocated on folio 73r-74r.
1 itemLocated on folio 74v-75r.
1 itemLocated on folio 75rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 75v-76r.
1 itemLocated on folio 76v-77r.
1 itemLocated on folio 77r.
1 itemLocated on folio 77r.
1 itemLocated on folio 77r-78v.
1 itemLocated on folio 78v-79v.
1 itemLocated on folio 5v.
1 itemLocated on folio 79vr.
1 itemLocated on folio 80r-81v.
1 itemLocated on folio 82r-85v.
1 itemLocated on folio 86r-88v.
1 itemLocated on folio 88v.
1 itemLocated on folio 89rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 89v-90v.
1 itemLocated on folio 90v.
1 itemLocated on folio 91r-92v.
1 itemLocated on folio 93v-98v.
1 itemLocated on folio 98v-99r.
1 itemLocated on folio 99r-100r.
1 itemLocated on folio 100r-101r.
1 itemLocated on folio 101r-102r.
1 itemLocated on folio 102r-105r.
1 itemLocated on folio 105v-108v.
1 itemLocated on folio 109r-111v.
1 itemLocated on folio 112rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 112v-116r.
1 itemLocated on folio 116.
1 itemLocated on folio 117r.
1 itemLocated on folio 117r.
1 itemLocated on folio 118r-121v.
1 itemLocated on folio 122rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 122v-124v.
1 itemLocated on folio 124v-125v.
1 itemLocated on folio 125v.
1 itemLocated on folio 125v-126r.
1 itemLocated on folio 126r.
1 itemLocated on folio 126rv.
Fols. 5r, 6v, 8r: States "Commissioned by Sofənəyos Akəlidewos".
Large Arabic numbers added much later in pencil on bottom of folios.
Fols. 58r, 67v: In the Miracle of Mary text, the name of the owner/benefactor is listed as Särsä Micha'el.
Fols. 68r, 73v: In the Miracle of Saint George text, the name of the owner/benefactor is listed as Bəsə'a Giyorəgis.
Fol. 58r: A note in another, later hand is the beginning of a letter draft, that says "Letter sent from Bishop Mattewos, archbishop of the kingdom of Ethiopia, servant and apostle of Christ, the son of Saint Mark." Mattewos was bishop from 1889 to 1926.
Owner: Särsä Micha'el, Bəsə'a Giyorəgis.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description2 cols. [fols. 1r-67v], 19 lines; 3 columns [fols. 68r-77v]), 21 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. No wooden boards, leather cover, stitched and covered spine.
Located on folio 1r-67v.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Barok, a dissolute man (incomplete) (Budge, Mary, 26; Strelcyn 32.16.26).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-4v.
How the Virgin Mary accepted the book of her miracles compiled by Saint Hildefonsus [Däqsəyos], Bishop of Toledo (Budge, Mary 1; Strelcyn 15.1.1, 32.16.1; also commonly first in medieval European collections).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 4v-6v.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Anəsətasəyos) (Budge, Mary, 27; Strelcyn 32.16.27).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 6v-8r.
How the Virgin Mary spoke from her picture to a devout worshipper (Budge, Mary 2; Strelcyn 15.1.3, 32.16.2).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 8rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the Jew of Akəmim, an elderly priest, when he fell and broke his back during his service in her church (incomplete at the ending, folio missing) (Budge, Mary, 03).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 8v-9v.
How Marəqos, King of Rome, fled from his palace for the monastery for the love of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 10r-11r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the dying monk in the island of Tigris.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 11r-12r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the widow and commanded her to recite the "Hail Mary" (Budge, Mary, ?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 12r-13r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a priest named Yohannəs as a woman with wings like a bird.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved the wealthy person from the angels of darkness when he died.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13v-14v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a certain woman on the altar of the monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 14v-15v.
How the Virgin Mary saved Timothy, a drunken monk, from a lion and a mad dog (Budge, Mary, 37).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 15v-17r.
How a certain Muslim was converted when he saw oil and Myron from the breasts of the icon of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 17r-18v.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary in a certain church bowed to the young person who served in the church and when he bowed to her (Budge, Mary, 104, for a different version).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 18v-20r.
How the Virgin Mary saved from death a governor of Eferan named Armatəyas.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 20v-21v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Bishop to restore a priest called Enədrəyas who knew only the anaphora of the Virgin Mary (Budge, Mary, 102).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 21v-22v.
How a certain king from Afəras (France) named Niqodimos recited the Hail Mary his whole life and when he died a tree with Hail Mary written on its leaves sprang from his tomb (Budge, Mary, 38).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 22v-23v.
How the Virgin Mary saved from a great snake Eskənədros the Jew from Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 23v-25r.
How the Virgin Mary commanded a deacon to dig up and rebury in consecrated ground the body of an adulterous deacon from the island of Jericho in the city of Gärisat who was killed by the people (Budge, Mary, 103).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25r-26r.
How the Virgin Mary saved Qiras the thief.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 26r-27v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Isaac, the monk, and promised to take him to herself after three days (Budge, Mary, 6).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 27v-29r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared out of her picture to Mary, the daughter of a certain God-fearing man from Dafra, to give her communion and promised to take her to Paradise after three days (Budge, Mary, 7).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29r-30r.
How the Virgin Mary carried a sick person from the Monastery of the Pilgrims to Jerusalem and showed him where Jesus was crucified and buried and baptized him in the waters of the Jordan) (Budge, Mary, 9; Strelcyn 32.16.9).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a Roman youth called Zacharias who crowned her icon with roses and how she saved him from bandits because they saw roses flowing from his mouth when he recited her sälam and how they converted and became monks (Budge, Mary, 10).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30v-32v.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen property of two women called Juliana and Barbara, when they were on pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Budge, Mary, 11; Strelcyn 32.16. 11).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 32v-33r.
How the Virgin Mary saved two Muslims from the storm when they called on her name (Budge, Mary, 12; Strelcyn 32.16. 12).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 33r-34v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the eyes of Yohannəs Bäkänəsi, the blind priest in Egypt, by anointing him with milk from her breasts (Budge, Mary, 14; Strelcyn 32.16.14).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 34v-36r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the merchant from Colossae after being shot in the eye with an arrow by pirates (Budge, Mary, 15; Strelcyn 32.16. 15).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 36r-37r.
How the Virgin Mary restored the sight of Elizabeth, a blind girl, with her breath and milk (Budge, Mary, 16; Strelcyn 32.16. 16).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 37r-38v.
How the Virgin Mary helped a wealthy woman from Caesarea during a painful childbirth (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 38v-39r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the foot of a widow from Harətärom) (Budge, Mary, 24).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 39r-40r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Syrian potter and how he glorified her (Budge, Mary, 35).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 40r-43r.
How the Virgin Mary gave a child to a family in the country of the Europeans (Afərəng) in the state of the French (Färansa) in and how she saved him from wrongful accusation and a death sentence by hanging (Budge, Mary, 22).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43r-44v.
How the Virgin Mary healed Bishop Märqorəwos of his leprosy (Budge, Mary, 23; Strelcyn 32.16.23).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44v-45r.
How the Virgin Mary arranged marriages for two poor girls called Martha and Yäwahit (Budge, Mary, 17; Strelcyn 32.16. 17).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 45r-46v.
How the Virgin Mary aided in the delivery of a child to an abbess before the bishop came to enquire into the matter (Budge, Mary, 25; Strelcyn 32.16.25).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 46v-49v.
How the Virgin Mary cut out and sewed a garment for Filatawos, a bishop of the city of Sä'id in Upper Egypt (Budge, Mary,40).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 49v-50v.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Anəsətasəyos of Rome (Budge, Mary, 27).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 50v-51v.
How the Virgin Mary moved the Monastery of Ekona (Budge, Mary, 13; Strelcyn 32.16. 13).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 51v-52v.
How Abba Samu'el levitated from the ground and spewed fire from his mouth and was not touched by the rain when he read the praises of the Virgin Mary (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 52v-53v.
How the Virgin Mary interceded and returned a fallen angel to heaven.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 53v-55v.
How the Virgin Mary and Jesus and the Angels came to Pifamon before his martyrdom (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55v-57r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a Roman prefect when a mysterious ram prevented him from visiting Christ's tomb until he had become a follower of the Virgin Mary (Budge, Mary, 39).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 57r-58r.
How the Virgin Mary rebuked a woman who gave up fasting at her husband's command (Budge, Mary, 99).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 58r-61r.
How the Virgin Mary delivered from prison a certain man called Giyorgis (Budge, Mary, 19; Strelcyn 32.16. 19).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 61rv.
How the Virgin Mary protected the elderly priest called Qätir from the church door keeper by paralyzing the keeper (Budge, Mary, 20; Strelcyn 32.16. 20).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 61v-62v.
How the Virgin Mary raised the son of a certain man from Capadocia (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 62v-63v.
How a certain rich man hurled a loaf at the head of a beggar and wounded him, and how the Virgin Mary delivered his soul from the devils) (Budge, Mary, 86).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 63v-65r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the soul of the cannibal of Qəmər (Budge, Mary, 29; Strelcyn 32.16.29).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 65r-67v.
Located on folio 68r-77r.
How Saint Giyorgis appeared to Awəlogis and gave him a ship full of riches (incomplete at the beginning, see 75r-77v for the beginning).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68r.
How Saint Giyorgis removed a priest from his ministry who had stolen a gift from the church and how he saved the priest from his sins.
Second Miracle of Saint George is in a different hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68r-71v.
How Saint Giyorgis appeared as a builder to help the construction of the church in Ləda during the reign of Constantine.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 71v-73v.
How Saint Giyorgis punished Awyan, the commander of Dəyoqəltyanos, when he destroyed the Church of St George in Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73v-75r.
How Saint Giyorgis appeared to Awəlogis and gave him a ship full of riches (incomplete at the end, see 68r for the end of the miracle).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 75r-77v.
Fol. 1r: Arabic numbers "2146," "183"; illegible Amharic words in pencil.
Fol. 1v: Note of ownership in later hand in colored pencil "This synaxarium belongs to Däbrä Qədusan." Followed by two lines in Amharic in the same hand: "any person who reads this or listens may become a righteous person. The scribe is Aläqqa Esäy."
At the end of every daily entry, the name Wäldä Micha'el appears in the original text.
Owner: Wäldä Micha'el.
No scribe listed in original manuscript.
No miniatures.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description3 cols., 33 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Wooden boards bound in stamped red leather, covered spine. Fols. 2rv, 228rv: Blank. Fols. 65rv: Quarter folio
Located on folio 3r-227v.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-38v.
1 itemLocated on folio 39r-65v.
1 itemLocated on folio 66r-104r.
1 itemLocated on folio 104r-140v.
1 itemLocated on folio 141r-186v.
1 itemLocated on folio 186v-221r.
1 itemLocated on folio 221v-227v.
Fol. 225v: Ge'ez alphabet with Ethiopic numbers.
Fol. 226r: Ge'ez alphabet in pencil.
Fol. 226v: Pen trial.
At the end of every daily entry appear the names of the manuscript owners / benefactors Wäldä Häwarəyat and Fasilädäs.
Fol. 1v: In another hand, that of the sewn-in-portions of the folios, is a scribal note: "Praise to God, the Lord of Michael [the Archangel], who enabled us to finish this book without weariness or exhaustion, without sickness or distress, with joy and peace. The scribe of this book is Gəra Geta [church title] Hayəlu Hayəlä Micha'el with his son Gəra Geta Därsäh Gäbrä Həywät. Do not forget us in your prayers."
No miniatures.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description3 cols., varies due to repairs, but mostly 34 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. Wooden boards missing, parchment cover, stitched and open spine. fols. 1r, 35v, 103v, 192v: Blank. Some folios were quarter or half folios. The top right quarter of almost all folios (1v-192v) appears to have been damaged, seemingly by fire. It was repaired by cutting away those sections from each folio and sewing new pieces in. The new portions are in another hand. Sometimes the scribes had to squeeze text to make it fit. The repairs were probably done in the late 1800s.
Located on folio 2r-225vv.
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-35r.
1 itemLocated on folio 36r-66r.
1 itemLocated on folio 67r-103r.
1 itemLocated on folio 104r-145v.
1 itemLocated on folio 146r-192r.
1 itemLocated on folio 193r-225v.
Fol. 1v: Pen trial.
Fol. 125r: The "King of Ethiopia" is mentioned, but not his name.
Most of the miracles in this manuscript take place in Egyptian monasteries.
At the beginning of each miracle, the name of one of the manuscript's benefactors or owners is mentioned. Most of the time the names Wäldä Yahannəs and Arkä Giyorəgis alternate. Sometimes the names Wäldä Giyorəgis and Gedewon appear. From fol. 6r to fol. 43r, the owner's name has been erased.
Owners: Wäldä Yahannəs, Arkä Giyorəgis, Wäldä Giyorəgis, Gedewon.
No scribe listed.
No miniatures.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description3 cols., 27 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. No case. One wooden board covered in stamped leather, stitched and open spine, lower board missing. Cloth on inside cover. Fol. 1r: Erased, upside down six-line note. Folio is not part of quire, but a folded single piece of parchment. Fols. 2rv, 8v, 32v: Blank. fol. 166v: The last miracle is incomplete, at least one folio is missing
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-7r.
1 itemLocated on folio 7r-8r.
How the Virgin Mary accepted the book of her miracles compiled by Saint Hildefonsus [Däqsəyos], Bishop of Toledo (Budge, Mary 1; Strelcyn 15.1.1, 32.16.1; also commonly first in medieval European collections).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 9r-10r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the dying monk in island of Tigris (not in Budge).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 10rv.
How the Virgin Mary spoke from her picture to a devout worshipper (Budge, Mary 2; Strelcyn 15.1.3, 32.16.2).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 10v-11r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the Jew of Akəmim, an elderly priest, when he fell and broke his back during his service in her church (Budge, Mary, 3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 11rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the dying scribe Damianus (Budge, Mary, 4).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 11v-12v.
How Abbas, Bishop of Rome, cut off his hand which had been kissed by a woman when he was celebrating the Eucharist, and how the Virgin Mary rejoined it to his arm (Budge, Mary, 5).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 12v-13r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Isaac, the monk, and promised to take him to herself after three days (Budge, Mary, 6).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13r-14r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared out of her picture to Mary, the daughter of a certain God-fearing man, and promised to take her to Paradise after three days (Budge, Mary, 7; Strelcyn 32.16.7).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 14rv.
How a painter was saved by the Virgin Mary when he fell from a scaffold (Budge, Mary, 8, Strelcyn ?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 14v-15v.
How the Virgin Mary carried a sick person from the Monastery of the Pilgrims to Jerusalem and showed him where Jesus was crucified and buried and baptized him in the waters of the Jordan (Budge, Mary, 9; Strelcyn 32.16.9).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 15v-16r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a Roman youth called Zacharias who crowned her icon with roses and how she saved him from bandits because they saw roses flowing from his mouth when he recited her sälam and how they converted and became monks (Budge, Mary, 10).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 16r-17r.
Miracle of Mary (How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen property of two women called Juliana and Barbara, when they were on pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Budge, Mary, 11; Strelcyn 32.16. 11).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 17rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved two Muslims from the storm when they called on her name (Budge, Mary, 12; Strelcyn 32.16. 12).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 17r-18v.
How the Virgin Mary moved the Monastery of Ekona (Budge, Mary, 13; Strelcyn 32.16. 13)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 18rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the eyes of Yohannəs Bäkänəsi, the blind priest in Egypt, by anointing him with milk from her breasts (Budge, Mary, 14; Strelcyn 32.16.14).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 19rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the merchant from Colossae after being shot in the eye with an arrow by pirates (Budge, Mary, 15; Strelcyn 32.16. 15).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 19v-20r.
How the Virgin Mary restored the sight of Elizabeth, a blind girl, with her breath and milk (Budge, Mary, 16; Strelcyn 32.16. 16).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 20r-21r.
How the Virgin Mary arranged marriages for two poor girls called Martha and Yäwahit (Budge, Mary, 17; Strelcyn 32.16. 17).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 21rv.
How the Virgin Mary delivered the soul of the scribe who was writing the book of her miracles (Budge, Mary, 18; Strelcyn 32.16.18).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 21v-22r.
How the Virgin Mary delivered from prison a certain man called Giyorgis (Budge, Mary, 19; Strelcyn 32.16. 19).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 22rv.
How the Virgin Mary protected the elderly priest called Qätir (Budge, Mary, 20; Strelcyn 32.16. 20).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 22v-23r.
How the Virgin Mary sent Saint George to threaten a Qädi (Islamic leader) for imprisoning a Christian (Budge, Mary, 21; Strelcyn 32.16.21).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 23r-24r.
How the Virgin Mary healed a man with a stone foot (Budge, Mary, 22; Strelcyn 32.16.22).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 24rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed Bishop Märqorəwos of his leprosy (Budge, Mary, 23; Strelcyn 32.16.23).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 24v-25r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a person in the church Haratälom.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25rv.
How the Virgin Mary aided in the delivery of a child to an abbess before the bishop came to enquire into the matter (Budge, Mary, 25; Strelcyn 32.16.25).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25v-27r.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Barok, a dissolute man (Budge, Mary, 26; Strelcyn 32.16.26).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 27rv.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Anəsətasəyos (Budge, Mary, 27; Strelcyn 32.16.27).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 27v-28r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a monk to escape the monastery of Qäləmon when persecuted by other monks (Budge, Mary, 28; Strelcyn 32.16.28).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 28r-29v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the soul of the cannibal of Qəmər (Budge, Mary, 29; Strelcyn 32.16.29).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29v-30v.
How the Virgin Mary delivered a thief, the son of a poor widow (Budge, Mary, 30).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30v-31v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the woman in childbirth from drowning (Budge, Mary, 32; Strelcyn 32.16. 31; Bland 2, also Vincent de Beauvais (from 1264)).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 31v-32r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Abraham, Archbishop of Alexandria when he was challenged by a Jews and Muslims to move a mountain.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 33r-34v.
How the Virgin Mary saved a church in Adrem from destruction by the Caliph.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 34v-40r.
How Saint Maridari received the blessing of the angels.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 40r-41r.
How the Virgin Mary as a bird appeared to a wealthy person.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41rv.
How St Paul saw the glory of the Virgin Mary in heaven.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41v-42v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Abba Bəhor, the disciple of Abba Amani.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 42v-43r.
How Gregory heard about the glory of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43r-44r.
How the Virgin Mary helped Säwla, wife of Giyorgis (the new martyr) when she wanted to bury the remain of her husband's body.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared every year on the 21st of the month of Ter near the Jordan river.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44v-45r.
How the Virgin Mary saved the children of the magician named Abrasit.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 45rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the noble man and healed his son.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 45v-46r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the woman blinded by a demon.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 46rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Archishop Tewate.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 46v-47r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Syrian potter and how he glorified her (Budge, Mary, 35).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 47r-48v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Anthony about the monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 48v-49r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Saint Anthony to tell the archbishop Timothy to construct a church in her name.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 49r.
How the Virgin Mary anointed and healed the animals, according to Saint Anthony.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 49v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Anthony and told him why she anointed the animals.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 49v-50v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Anthony carrying the bottle of oil.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 50v-51v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Timothy the Archbishop.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 51v-53v.
How Saint John the golden-mouthed received the key to the kingdom of heaven.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 53r.
How the Jewish leaders tried to burn the home of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 53v-54r.
How the Holy Spirit taught the disciples about the honor of the Sunday services.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 54rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Basil.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 54v-55v.
How Saint Basil discovered the icon of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55v-56r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared through the icon to Basil.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 56rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Saint Basil.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 56v-57v.
How the Salome the midwife glorified the birth of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 57v-58r.
1 itemLocated on folio 58r-63r.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary spoke when Archbishop John of Constantinople explained in what way Joseph knew the Virgin after the birth of Jesus Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 63r-64r.
How our Lord Jesus Christ glorified his mother the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 64v-65r.
How Jesus and John took the body of the Virgin Mary to heaven.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 65rv.
How the Virgin Mary saved the widow from prison.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 65v-66v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the demon by recovering the stolen pearl.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 66v-69r.
How the Virgin Mary gave a child to a family in the country of the Europeans (Afərəng) in the state of the French (Färansa) in and how she saved him from wrongful accusation and a death sentence by hanging (Budge, Mary, 22).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 69r-72v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the monks from the hand of Muslims in the monastery of Qäləmen.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 72v-74v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the pious monk from the persecution of the brethren (Budge, Mary, 28) (repeated).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 74v-77r.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the property stolen by the Berbers from five monks.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 77r-79r.
How the Virgin Mary interceded and returned a fallen angel to heaven.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 79r-80r.
How Jesus predicted to his mother the Virgin Mary that a church would be constructed in Egypt where they had stayed and how the Virgin Mary appeared to the people of Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 80r-84r.
How the Virgin Mary killed the camel owner who stole money from the monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 84r-85v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the elderly priest Isaac and took him in to paradise after three days (Budge, Mary, 6) (slightly different than earlier version).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 85v-86v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Deacon Yohannəs in the Pillar of Light.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 86v-87v.
How Joseph took the Virgin Mary and her child into Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 87v-88r.
How a Muslim girl converted to Christianity and became a martyr after she recovered a lost belonging by the power of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 88v-89r.
How the Virgin Mary raised the widow's son from the dead.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 89v-92v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the governor's son, a Muslim, when he hurt his feet destroying the Church of the Virgin Mary in the district of Šam.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 92v-93v.
How the Virgin Mary commanded the demons to serve the monks in the monastery in Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 93v-94v.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the silver dish from the river.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 94v-95r.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen property from the Church of Säbkohad.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 95v-96v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared at Dabrä Mətəmaq in Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 96r-97r.
How the Church of the Virgin Mary in Getheseman will be an ark at the time of Christ's coming.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 97rv.
How the Virgin Mary healed the eyes of Yohannəs Bäkänəsi, the blind priest in Egypt, by anointing him with milk from her breasts (Budge, Mary, 14) (repeated).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 97v-98v.
How the Virgin Mary healed Safəron, king of Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 98v-99v.
How the Virgin Mary killed one of the thieves who tried to steal from the Church of Šam.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 99v-100v.
How the Virgin Mary saved a farmer fro a solder who wanted his fruit.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 100r-101v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the blind daughter from the city of Qähar.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 101v-102r.
How Jesus asked the Virgin Mary about her five lamentations.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 102v.
How a certain priest left his handprint in the icon of the Virgin Mary when he bowed to her and how the Virgin Mary brought holy water inside the church and how Elarəya, daughter of King Zänun, left for the monastic life at Asqetəs.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 102v-103rr.
How Teberius, the emperor of Rome, asked Pilate to bring the Virgin Mary to his palace.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 103r-104vr.
How the Virgin Mary interceded so that the priest Petros Wars saw the mystery of the Trinity.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 104v-105v.
How the Virgin Mary killed a person who abused the monks in order to steal their garments in Šädäləkäsus.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 105v-106v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared in a vision to the Monk Absadi in the monastery of Abba Sinoda.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 106v-107r.
How the Virgin Mary turned on the lamp in the City of Gaza.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 107r-108r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the son from plague in the City of Gaza.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 108r-110v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the miner when the mine collapsed in the city of Aragon in Capadocia (Budge, Mary, 78).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 110v-111v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the kings of Cyprus and commanded him to punish the Jews who took the holy communion after it had become flesh.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 111v-113r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Ruh, the heathen, who converted after he saw a vision about how the bread turned into the flesh of Christ.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 113r-114r.
How the son of the Muslim king of Egypt spit on the Icon of Mary and saw a vision of judgment.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 114r-115r.
How the Virgin Mary healed the wife of the priest when Archbishop Matewas prayed before the Icon of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 115r-116r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the people at Däbrä Qusəqam during passion week of the year of the martyrs 1112 [1396 AD].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 116r-117r.
How the Virgin Mary commanded the people to kill a person named Kätib who stole cattle from Däbrä Qusqam in the year of the martyrs 1048 [1332 AD].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 117r-118rr.
How the Virgin Mary helped a Roman prefect when a mysterious ram prevented him from visiting Christ's tomb until he had become a follower of the Virgin Mary (Budge, Mary, 39).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 118rv.
How Zäyənun, King of Rome, built the monastery of Asketəs and how the Virgin Mary appeared at the dedication of the church.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 118v-120r.
How the Holy Family visited Egypt and blessed Asketəs and how God sent Mäqarəs to build the monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 120r-123r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a man called Mica'el to be a martyr for the sake of the true faith.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 123r-125r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a Muslim when he was lost in the wilderness and how he converted to Christianity.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 125r-126v.
How the Virgin Mary saved Qiras the thief.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 126v-128r.
How the Virgin Mary commanded a deacon to dig up and rebury in consecrated ground the body of an adulterous deacon from the island of Jericho in the city of Gärisat who was killed by the people (Budge, Mary, 103, similar to Romances, Cleopatra 9 about Chartres?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 128rv.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the people of Filəpa'is in Atərib and saved them from the sword of Muslims.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 128v-129v.
How the mother of Yohannəs of Säməbat of lower Egypt received a pious Ethiopian monk and went with him to Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 129v-131r.
How the Afärəngi [European man] took the key from the Church of Bethlehem and how the Virgin Mary revealed her power when the Afärəngi was strangled by it.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 131r-133r.
How the Virgin Mary commanded the Sultan of Egypt to open the church at the Zawela.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 133r-134r.
How a wealthy person died when he was unwilling to give a bar of gold to be used for an icon for the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 134rv.
How Shutay, the Jew, stole the golden dish from the church and how the Virgin Mary revealed this to Basələyos, the archbishop.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 134v-137r.
How the Virgin Mary made water spring from a rock on the 8th of Sänz.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 137r.
How the icon of the Virgin Mary responded to the prayers of the mother of Saint Minas.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 137v-138v.
How the Virgin Mary healed Matewos the archbishop when he cut off his own tongue.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 138v-139v.
How the Virgin Mary glorified Abdäl Mäsih, king of Constantinople, when he fled from his palace.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 139v-140v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared in her icon when Ga'əfär (Jafar), the king of the Muslims, ordered Christians and Jews to wear black not white.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 140v-141r.
How the wood from the building of the Church at Enədoləs became a tree every year on the feast day of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 141r-142v.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the wood from the church of Dabrä Qusəqam and how she punished and then healed the person who stole the wood.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 142v-144v.
How the Virgin Mary helped the monk who fell into sin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 144v-145v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the painter when he fell from the scaffold (repeated?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 145v-146r.
How the Virgin Mary told Timotewos the Archbishop and son of Deyosəqoros about the flight of the Holy Family into Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 146r-147v.
How the keeper of the church from the district of Sə'id denied Christ and the Virgin Mary and how the Virgin Mary saved him when she spoke through her icon.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 147v-152v.
How the Christian monk who converted to the Jewish faith.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 152v-153v.
How the Virgin Mary helped Abba Samu'el of Qäləmon when he was captured by Bärəbär.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 153v-154r.
How the Virgin Mary raised from the dead the priest named Enədrəyos of Qäləmon.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 154r-155r.
How the Virgin Mary gave garments to Bishop Niqola who was of Mira.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 155rv.
How the Virgin Mary punished the widow who gave to other churches a gift that belonged to the church of Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 155v-157r.
How the Virgin Mary protected the church of Sändäfa called Däbrä Mətmaq from the hand of Al Ašərif, the King of Egypt.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 157r-159v.
How the Virgin Mary told the Holy Family to flee to Egypt and reside at Däbrä Qusəqam.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 159v-160r.
How the Virgin Mary killed a certain Jew when he insulted Jesus and the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 160v-162r.
How the Virgin Mary saved two monks on their journey to their monasteries.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 162r-164r.
How the Virgin Mary helped Archbishop [of Alexandria] Gäbrə'el when he tried to send his book, Book of Hawi, to Saint Anthony's Monastery.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 164r-166r.
How the Virgin Mary blinded those Muslims who plundered the church called Däbrä Adwäya (incomplete).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 166r.
Illustration: Fol. 2v: Drawing of Virgin Mary and the Christ Child with angels with drawn swords and broad decorative border.
Illustration: Fol. 110v: Miniature of Joachim and Hannah with large orange border and with notes above their heads: "How Joachim prayed" and "How Saint Hannah prayed".
Fol. 1v: Note of the sale of the manuscript in faint ballpoint pen in another hand. States the date is Tər 26, 1928 EC. Sellers, the buyer, and the witnesses names included.
Fols. 3r, 13r, 15r, passim: Original owner noted at the beginning of each miracle, in the intercession: "Virgin Mary be with Wäldä Maryam."
Owner: Wäldä Maryam.
No scribe listed.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description2 cols., 17 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Two miniatures. No case. Wooden boards covered in stamped leather, stitched and leather-covered spine. Fols. 1r, 111rv: Blank
One column, probably as a pen trial.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 2r.
Located on folio 3r-110r.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-6r.
1 itemLocated on folio 6r-7v.
1 itemLocated on folio 7v-12v.
The Story of the Infant Mary in the Temple (not in Budge or Herolt).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13r-15r.
How the Virgin Mary accepted the Book of her Miracles compiled by Saint Hildefonsus [Däqsəyos], Bishop of Toledo (Budge, Mary 1; Strelcyn 15, 1.1; Bland 1; Romances, Cleopatra 7).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 15r-19r.
How the Virgin Mary spoke from her picture to a devout worshipper (Budge, Mary 2; Strelcyn 15, 1.3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 19r-20r.
How the midwife Salome glorified Jesus (not in Budge; Strelcyn 16, 3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 20r-22r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the dying scribe Damianus (Budge, Mary, 4).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 22r-23v.
How Abbas, Bishop of Rome, cut off his hand which had been kissed by a woman when he was celebrating the Eucharist, and how the Virgin Mary rejoined it to his arm (Budge, Mary, 5).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 23v-25v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to Isaac, the monk, and promised to take him to herself after three days (Budge, Mary, 6).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25v-28r.
How Jesus entered the temple [Presentation of Jesus in the Temple] (Strelcyn 16, 5).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 28r-30v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared out of her picture to Mary, the daughter of a certain God-fearing man, and promised to take her to Paradise after three days (Budge, Mary, 7).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30v-32v.
How a painter was saved by the Virgin Mary when he fell from a scaffold (Budge, Mary, 8).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 32v-35v.
How the Virgin Mary carried a sick person from the Monastery of the Pilgrims to Jerusalem and showed him where Jesus was crucified and buried and baptized him in the waters of the Jordan (Budge, Mary, 9).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 35v-37v.
How Jesus recovered the stolen cattle of a man called Tətəməna in Nazareth (Strelcyn 16, 8).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 37v-39r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a Roman youth called Zacharias who crowned her icon with roses and how she saved him from bandits because they saw roses flowing from his mouth when he recited her sälam and how they converted and became monks (Budge, Mary, 10)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 39r-42r.
How the Virgin Mary recovered the stolen property of two women called Juliana and Barbara, when they were on pilgrimage to Jerusalem (Budge, Mary, 11).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 42r-43v.
How the Virgin Mary saved two Muslims from the storm when they called on her name (Budge, Mary, 12).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43v-45vr.
How Jesus recovered the stolen calf in Palestine after commanding it to speak.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 45v-47r.
How the Virgin Mary moved the Monastery of Ekona (Budge, Mary, 13).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 47r-48v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the eyes of Yohannəs Bäkänəsi, the blind priest in Egypt, by anointing him with milk from her breasts (Budge, Mary, 14).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 48v-50v.
How the Virgin Mary healed the merchant from Colossae after being shot in the eye with an arrow by pirates (Budge, Mary, 15).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 50v-52r.
How the lion glorified Jesus before Joseph the Carpenter (Strelcyn 16, 11).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 52r-54r.
How the Virgin Mary restored the sight of Elizabeth, a blind girl, with her breath and milk (Budge, Mary, 16).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 54r-56r.
How the Virgin Mary arranged marriages for two poor girls called Martha and Yäwahit (Budge, Mary, 17).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 56r-58r.
How the Virgin Mary delivered the soul of the scribe who was writing the book of her miracles (Budge, Mary, 18).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 58r-59r.
How Jesus saved the adulterer from stoning (Strelcyn 16, 14?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 59r-60v.
How the Virgin Mary delivered from prison a certain man called Giyorgis (Budge, Mary, 19).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 60v-62r.
How the Virgin Mary protected the elderly priest called Qätir (Budge, Mary, 20).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 62r-63v.
How the Virgin Mary sent Saint George to threaten a Qädi (Islamic leader) for imprisoning a Christian (Budge, Mary, 21).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 63v-66r.
How Jesus healed the blind (Strelcyn 16, ?).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 66r-67v.
How the Virgin Mary healed a man with a stone foot (Budge, Mary, 22).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 67v-69v.
How the Virgin Mary healed a person called Märqorəwos of his leprosy (Budge, Mary, 23).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 69v-71r.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to a person in the church Haratälom.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 71r-73r.
How Jesus raised from the dead the son of the widow of Nain (Strelcyn 16.18, 32.16.30).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73r-74v.
How the Virgin Mary aided in the delivery of a child to an abbess before the bishop came to enquire into the matter (Budge, Mary, 25; Bland 24 [but much shorter] also in Vincent de Beauvais (from 1264)).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 74v-79r.
THow the Virgin Mary received the soul of Barok, a dissolute man (Budge, Mary, 26).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 79r-80v.
How the Virgin Mary received the soul of Anəsətasəyos (Budge, Mary, 27).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 80v-81r.
How Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Strelcyn 16).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 81r-85r.
How the Virgin Mary helped a monk to escape the monastery of Qäləmon when persecuted by other monks (Budge, Mary, 28).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 85r-86v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the soul of the cannibal of Qəmər (Budge, Mary, 29).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 86v-88v.
How the Virgin Mary delivered a thief, the son of a poor widow (Budge, Mary, 30).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 88v-89v.
How the Jewish leader begged Pilate to burn the body of Jesus (Strelcyn 16).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 89v-91v.
How the Virgin Mary saved the woman in childbirth from drowning (Budge, Mary, 32; Strelcyn 32.16.31; Bland 2; Romances, Cleopatra 3).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 91v-92v.
How the Virgin Mary gave water to a thirsty dog (Budge, Mary, 33; Strelcyn 32.16. 32).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 92v-93r.
How the Virgin Mary gave a garment to a monk (Budge, Mary, 93).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 93r-94r.
How Jesus rose from the dead (Strelcyn 16, 37).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 94r-96r.
How the Archangel Gabriel took the body of the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 96r-97v.
the Virgin Mary appeared in the monastery of Däbərä Mətəmaq.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 97v-99r.
1 itemLocated on folio 99r-102v.
How Jesus asked the Virgin Mary about her five lamentations.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 102v-103v.
How the Virgin Mary appeared to the Syrian potter and how he glorified her (Budge, Mary, 35).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 103v-106v.
How Jesus recovered the fish stolen from a fisherman (Strelcyn 16, 9).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 106v-107v.
The Story of the Infant Mary in the Temple (not in Budge or Herolt).
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 107v-110r.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Outline of decorative häräg
Illustrations: Fols. 5r, 8r, 10v, 17r, 20r, 34v, 35r, 45r, 49r, 59r, 69r, 78r, 85r, 90r, 91v, 101r, 108r, 112r, 116r, 118v: Decorative härägs.
Illustration: Fol. 4v: Outline in black ink of angel with drawn sword. With decorative border
Illustration: Fol. 84v: Outline of priest with hand cross (not original to the text).
Fol. 3r: A note made in 1896 EC listing the witnesses who can confirm the paternity of a daughter (in another hand).
Fols. 9v, 16v, 36v: In the supplications for the king, the king mentioned is King Mənilək [r. 1889-1913].
Fols. 20v, 45r, 49r, 59r, 78r, 91v, 114v, 116r: Some owners' names mentioned: Kəfəlä Maryam and his father Gäbrä Maryam.
Fols. 24r: Another owner's name is mentioned: Kəfəlä Səyon.
Fols. 24v, 25v, 33v, 35r, 39r: Metropolitan bishops' names mentioned: Abba Sälama [r. 1841-1867] and Abba Pətəros [r. 1876-1889].
Fols. 49v: Metropolitan bishop's name mentioned: Abba Matewos [r. 1889-1926].
Date of text (1889 AD) is estimated based on several items in the text, including mention of the bishops' names and the king's name. Abba Sälama [r. 1841-1867] died in 1867. Abba Pətəros [r. 1876-1889] was replaced by Abba Matewos [r. 1889-1926] in 1889, who was in Ethiopia since 1881. The text includes a prayer for the recently deceased Abba Sälama on fol. 25v, so it cannot have been made before 1867. It probably was not made after 1889 because the text mentions the current metropolitan, Abba Pətəros. The text also mentions King Mənilək [r. 1889-1913] who only overlaps with the current metropolitan, Abba Pətəros, for one year, 1889 AD. The latest date actually mentioned in the manuscript, in another hand, is 1896 EC [1904 AD].
Owners: Kəfəlä Maryam, Gäbrä Maryam, Kəfəlä Səyon.
No scribe listed.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description2 cols. 24 lines [fols. 5r-41r], 19 lines [fols. 42r-124r]. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. With musical notation. Two miniatures. No case. Wooden boards; broken upper board, repaired with string. Leather-covered spine. Fol. 1rv: Part of spine binding. The number "2165" appears upside down in Arabic numerals. Fols. 2v, 3v-4r, 124v-125v, 41v: Blank.
Located on folio 5r-17r.
1 itemLocated on folio 5r-8r.
1 itemLocated on folio 8r-11v.
1 itemLocated on folio 8rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 8v.
1 itemLocated on folio 8v.
1 itemLocated on folio 8v-9r.
1 itemLocated on folio 9rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 9v.
1 itemLocated on folio 9v-10r.
1 itemLocated on folio 10r.
1 itemLocated on folio 10rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 10v-14v.
1 itemLocated on folio 10v.
1 itemLocated on folio 10v.
1 itemLocated on folio 11rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 11v.
1 itemLocated on folio 11v-12r.
1 itemLocated on folio 12rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 12v.
Fol. 12v: There is an error, the scribe replaced the litany for Saturday with the litany for Holy Saturday.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 12v-13r.
1 itemLocated on folio 11v-12r.
1 itemLocated on folio 13r.
1 itemLocated on folio 13rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 13v-14r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 14v-17r.
Located on folio 17r-122v.
1 itemLocated on folio 17r-34v.
1 itemLocated on folio 35r-44v.
1 itemLocated on folio 45r-49r.
1 itemLocated on folio 49r-58v.
Fol. 59r: The scribe made a mistake, titling the Anaphora of John Son of Thunder, the Anaphora of John Chrysostom
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 59r-69r.
1 itemLocated on folio 69r-78r.
1 itemLocated on folio 78r-84v.
1 itemLocated on folio 85r-89v.
1 itemLocated on folio 90r-91v:.
1 itemLocated on folio 91v-101r.
1 itemLocated on folio 101r-108r.
1 itemLocated on folio 108r-112r.
1 itemLocated on folio 112r-116r.
1 itemLocated on folio 116r-118v.
Fol. 118r: The scribe made a mistake, titling the Anaphora of John Chrysostom as the Anaphora of Cyril.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 118v-122v.
1 itemLocated on folio 123rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 124r.
Illustrations: Fols. 3r, 8v, 14r, 20r, 28r, 34r, 38v, 55r, 61v, 66r, 76r, 79v, 88r, 93r, 98v, 109r, 115r, 123v: Häräg.
Illustration: Fol. 1v: Miniature of a mustached man in purple and red. Probably the owner.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Miniature of King David playing the harp.
Illustration: Fol. 43v: Miniature of Christ: Crucifixion: One Cross: with the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist.
Striking images are atypical of Psalters, but these are not painted over the text, they are original to the manuscript.
Fols. 1r, 2v: In another hand, information on determining the hours by measuring the shadows of the sun (continued across folios).
Fols. 2v, 128rv: In another hand, information on when to break fasts (continued across folios).
Fols. 119v: Missing lines inserted in upper margin.
Owner: Ejəgu Nəguśe.
Scribe: Aläqa Ayəna'aläm.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 col. [3r-147v], 22 lines; 2 cols [148r-166r], 22 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Six miniatures. Leather case. Plain wooden boards, stitched and open spine.
Fol. 51r: Cross in black ink, with the words "half of them" in Ge'ez inside, marking the mid-point of the Psalms.
Psalm 118 does not include additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3r-128r.
1 itemLocated on folio 128v-141r.
1 itemLocated on folio 141r-147v.
Located on folio 149r-161r.
1 itemLocated on folio 149r-150r.
1 itemLocated on folio 150r-152r.
1 itemLocated on folio 152r-154r.
1 itemLocated on folio 154r-156v.
1 itemLocated on folio 156v-158r.
1 itemLocated on folio 158r-159v.
1 itemLocated on folio 159v-161r.
1 itemLocated on folio 161r-166r.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 itemTwo wooden boards covered in red stamped leather with detailed tooling. No manuscript or binding33.5 x 33.8 cm
An incomplete Psalter.
Illustration: Fol. 3v: Miniature of Saint Gabriel with the three holy children (painted over the text).
Illustrations: Fols. 11v, 23r, 31v: Decorative Härägs.
Illustration: Fol. 36v: Miniature of crowned King David raising hand and with winged angel (painted over the text).
Illustration: Fol. 59v: Talismanic drawing of grid with nine squares and faces in center square and outer corners (painted over the text).
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 col., 22 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Three miniatures. It seems the leather cover of the text was added later. The leather case is too small for the text, it fits the width and depth, but not the length. Leather cover, four stitches, parts of spine enforced with leather and black yarn. Fols. 1r, 13r, 25r, 37r, 49r: Quires are marked with Ethiopic numerals: quire 1, 2, etc. Fols. 1r, 23r, 31r, 39r, 50r: Red yarn sewn through the corner of the relevant folios marks the daily readings
Incomplete, Starts At the End of Psalm 59 and Ends in the Middle of Psalm 118. Fols. 54v-60v: Psalm 118 includes additions about the spiritual meanings of the Hebrew Alphabet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r-60v.
Illustration: Fol. 33r: Black ink drawing of angel with drawn sword.
Illustration: Fol. 34r: Crude pencil drawing of face.
Illustration: Fol. 38r: Crude black ink drawing of Crucifixion scene, with the Virgin Mary and John the Evangelist. Caption: "Savior of the world crucified at Qäranəyo [Golgotha, the place of the skull], Mary, John."
Illustration: Fol. 39r: Crude pencil drawing of the crucifixion.
Illustration: Fol. 60v: Miniature of Saint George and the Dragon with Berutawit (original to the text, in red and gold, blue may have been added later).
Illustration: Fol. 61r: Miniature of the Virgin Mary and the Christ Child with angels with swords (original to the text, in red and gold, blue may have been added later).
Fols. 20v-24v: Blank with pencil scrawls.
Fols. 19v, 50v, 62v: Previous owner's name erased "Wäldä Marəyam" and scribbled over with red ink. Below the erasure is the name "Täklä Amanu'el" in red ink.
Fols. 37v-38r: A note of ownership in later hand with pencil: "This book belongs to Yəlma Dänkäle."
Fol. 38v: In later hand, in pencil, a warning against stealing the book or erasing in it.
Fol. 61r: "Gäbrä Egzi'abəher" written beneath the miniature (the original scribe's name).
Fol. 64r: Crude pen trial.
Fol. 64v: A note of ownership in later hand in ink, two names are given: "Aläqa Astärayä of Tämben. Kidanä Marəyam."
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 col., 14 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Six miniatures. No case. Glossy wooden boards, lower board missing. Open and stitched spine. Fols. 1r-2v, 34v, 39v-40v, 57rv, 60r, 61v: Blank (probably included for illustrations).
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-20r.
1 itemLocated on folio 25r-33r.
(Chaîne, "Répertoire," No. 164)
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 35r-50v.
1 itemLocated on folio 51r-62v.
In later crude hand with blue ink.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 51r-62v.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Miniature of the Virgin Mary and Christ Child (with angels on the left and right).
Illustration: Fol. 24v: Miniature of Saint George slaying the Dragon.
Illustration: Fol. 50v: Miniature of the Virgin Mary: Coronation, by the Trinity.
Illustration: Fol. 66v: Miniature of the Virgin Mary and Joseph?
Illustration: Fol. 82v: Miniature of the monastic leader with his disciple.
All miniatures are painted over the existing text and do not relate to the text. They seem to have been painted by the twentieth-century "speckled garment artist" described in Steve Delamarter and Melaku Terefe, Ethiopian Scribal Practice 1: Plates for the Catalogue of the Ethiopic Manuscript Imaging Project. Portland, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2009.
The Five Pillars of Mystery is in Amharic, but with many quotes from the patristic literature in Ge'ez.
Fol. 90v: A note in Amharic in another, later hand that starts: "My Father Gebre Hiwot Sadequ, please prepare a parchment for me. I also will do whatever you ask."
Fol. 1r: The decorative border has been highlighted with a ballpoint pen.
Fols. 9r, 17r, 25r, 33r, 41r, 51r, 59r, 67r, 75r, 83r: Quires are marked with Ethiopic numerals: quire 1, 2, etc.
No owner listed.
No scribe listed.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description2 cols., 17 lines. Parchment Codex. Written in black and red ink. Five miniatures. Leather case, missing strap. Glossy wooden boards; stitched and open spine. Fols. 83rv and 90rv: Detached. Fol. 90r: Blank
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-5r.
1 itemLocated on folio 5r-21v.
1 itemLocated on folio 21v-47r.
1 itemLocated on folio 47r-64v.
1 itemLocated on folio 64v-77v.
1 itemLocated on folio 77v-89v.
In another, later hand.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 90v.
Illustrations: 39 miniatures. Fol. 1v: Four miniatures, each of equestrian saints with ornate border. Upper left one holding a spear; upper right, one slaying a bull; lower left, one holding a spear; and lower right, one holding a spear. Further miniatures on fol.s 2r (4), 2v (4), 26v (2), 43v (1), 60r (4), 60v(4), 67r (4), 91v (3), 120r (4), 120v (4), and 155r (1).
This Synaxarium (Senkessar) contains the collection of the lives of saints from the history of the Ethiopian Christian church and the lives of Ethiopian saints with the lectures to be read at their anniversaries, similar to a martyrology of the Roman church. This codex covers the second half of the year, from Mäggabit to Pagwemen (August to December). Every vita is followed by Salam stanzas (Ethiopian poetry). The beautiful miniatures in vibrant colors are executed in the so-called first and second Gondar style and are based on well-known representations from different stylistic periods. The first images of saints on horseback cite a 17th-century folded parchment leave from the Gondar region (cf. Heldman et al., African Zion: The Sacred Art of Ethiopia , 1996 no.103), the 8 miniatures at the beginning of the 8th quire are based on a codex for the Passion Week from the latter half of the 15th century (ibidem, no. 89). The same goes for the 8 miniatures at the end of the quire (Annunciation, Crucifixion, the Ethiopian Saint Gäbrä Mäfäs Qeddus) and the 8 images at the end of the 14th quire with miracles of the Virgin Mary (ibidem, no. 90). The image of Mary covering almost a whole page at the end of the codex and the portraits of the apostels cite similar representations in known older manuscripts (ibidem, no.11). The small ornamental drawings in black and red ink used as paragraph separators are a characteristic style called "Art of Säwa," developed in the Säwa region at the end of the 18th/beginning of the 19th century. This supports the estimated date of the codex: the text was probably written at the end of the 18th or beginning of the 19th century in the Gondär region and the miniatures were added at the same time.
Ornamental drawings in red and black ink are present in a few places to indicate paragraph breaks. They are in the style of the "Art of Säwa," which emerged in Säwar Province at the end of the 18th/beginning of the 19th century (cf. Chojnacki, Major Themes in Ethiopian Painting. Äthiopische Forschungen 10 (Wiesbaden 1983), pp. 469-524. (Description provided by Veronica Six, Hamburg.)
The codex was commissioned by Häbtä Kiros for himself and his wife Sergutä Sellase, the scribe's name is given as Henbaba Dengel.
Owner: Məhərka Giorgis, Sərgutä Səllasse, Häbtä Kiros.
Scribe: Hənbabe Dəngəl.
Purchase, Harteveld Livres Anciens.
Physical Description3 cols., 38 lines, 155 leaves on vellum. Written in black ink, with rubrics and titles in red. 39 miniatures in color. No case. Contemporary blind-tooled leather over wooden boards. Some staining (mostly finger staining, here and there small waterstains). Original binding shaken, covering to joints and edges with large defective spots. Covered and stitched spine. Spine cover is newer. Fol. 155v: blank.
Located on folio 3r-155r.
1 itemLocated on folio 3r-26r.
1 itemLocated on folio 27r-43v.
1 itemLocated on folio 44r-66v.
1 itemLocated on folio 68r-91v.
1 itemLocated on folio 92r-126v.
1 itemLocated on folio 126v-150r.
1 itemLocated on folio 150r-155r.
1 item61/4 x 4 inches
Illustration: Fol. 3v: A drawing in purple ink of Jesus and another figure in a reed boat addressing a now feint figure outside a house ( ?). The text above the drawing, also in purple ink, is now only partly legible and seems to mention an individual called Berhanä Mäsqäl.
Illustrations: Fol. 4r: A collection of talismanic drawings.
Illustrations: Fols. 5v-6v: [mostly in red] A collection of talismanic drawings, followed by a prayer for the "drowning" of demons.
Illustrations: Fols. 7rv: Two grid charts, the second of which is titled "My Lord Jesus Christ, with this chart save me from mäqurañña [possibly meaning here 'demonic possession'].
Illustrations: Fols. 8r-9r: [in red] Further grid charts followed by a prayer for binding demons, barya, zar, etc., with talismanic drawings and figures.
Illustration: Fols. 32v: Three grid charts entitled "for Monday" , "for Wednesday," and "for Thursday," respectively.
Illustration: Fol. 33r: A crude drawing of a bird and talismanic letters [harägwi fidäl, lit. "knotted letters"].
Illustration: Fols. 33v-34r: A drawing of a supplicant with accompanying servant being led by the Virgin Mary towards the figure of Christ in majesty [f.34r]. The supplicant may be a priest as evidenced by his turban and the prayer stick carried by his servant. The text reads "how — (name erased) made supplication through Our Lady Mary and with his [sic] beloved Saviour of the World."
Illustration: Fol. 35r: Virgin and Child.
This is a high-quality magical prayer book made in the first half of the nineteenth century likely for a member of the nobility. As expected, there is no formal indication of date. The several hands are all a 19th century räqiq hand, of varying quality, certain features of which might suggest a date earlier rather than a later in the century, and the costume worn by the figure of the supplicant in the drawing on fol. 33v resembles that worn by the nobility up to the 1850s.
There are numerous talismanic drawings and the quality of many of them shows greater finesse than is usual in magical manuscripts of this sort. This type of manuscript, intended for practical use by a däbtära as a source book for the composition of amulet scrolls or kitab, would normally be copied by the original owner himself, but as is the case here could also be passed on to others.
The text comprises a collection of prayers for various purposes. In the present manuscript these are predominantly prayers against drowning (s'älot bä'entä mäst'em) and prayers to counteract spells (mäftehé seray), though there is also a version of the well known magical prayer known as the Säyfä Esat or Sword of Fire. The accompanying diagrams are intended as prophylactic designs for incorporation in amulets, and the charts or tables either as devices for divination or schematic representations of protective processes. The prayer texts themselves typically comprise lists of magical names (asmat) for the summoning of power or the protection and shielding of the individual from demonic forces.
The name of the original owner and probable scribe has been erased throughout, though the first element of his name, Wäldä..., is still occasionally visible.
Physical DescriptionManuscript on vellum, 35 leaves, mostly in gatherings of 8, many of the leaves are stained and rubbed, and the text is at times difficult to read. 2 columns, 16-20 lines in different hands [variously 2-4 mm in height], written in black with the usual rubrics, together with some sections entirely in red, ruling and pricking visible in part, there are numerous talismanic drawings in black and red ink throughout the text, as well as three figure drawings in black with some slight red-brown and grey colouring [ff.33v, 34r, 35r]; bound between plain wooden boards, the rear board split and repaired. Fols. 34v, 35v: Blank.
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-3v.
In red, with a small haräg at the beginning and a talismanic figure in the form of an eight-pointed star with serpents' head arms at the end.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 4v-5r.
Incorporating 5 talismanic drawings or charts, one [f.10v] of nine squares with a face in the centre square and cherubim in each of the four corner squares, another [f.12v] in grid form possibly representing the "net of Solomon" for trapping spirits. The motif of alternating faces in a grid-pattern design also appears in the drawing at the end of the group of prayers [f.13v].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 9v-13v.
Incorporating another grid-like talismanic drawing [f.18r] and two smaller designs.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 14r-17r.
Incorporating 5 small talismanic drawings.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 17r-20r.
Incorporating talismanic drawings and grid-patterns.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 20r.
Incorporating talismanic drawings and grid-patterns.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 20r-29v.
1 itemLocated on folio 29v-32v.
The paintings are high quality examples painted in the Second Gondarene style, which is associated with the patronage of Empress Mentewwab and her son, Iyasu II (r. 1730-55), though it continued in use later into the eighteenth century. The paintings are mostly framed within a double red border and include descriptive text in red or black, either directly on the painting or in the top or bottom margins.
Illustration: Fol. 3v: Painting 1: St. George and the dragon.
Illustration: Fol. 4r: Painting 2: Virgin and Child with the archangels Michael and Gabriel; below is the prostrate figure of a supplicant, named as Awsabyos.
Illustration: Fol. 12r: Painting 3: The Virgin Mary presents a robe and a throne to Däqseyos.
Illustration: Fol. 12v: Painting 4: The archangel Michael strikes down the bishop who sat on Däqseyos' throne.
Illustration: Fol. 15r: Painting 5: The Virgin Mary gives food and clothes to the monk.
Illustration: Fol. 18v: Painting 6: The Virgin blesses the artisan.
Illustration: Fol. 22r: Painting 7: The Virgin revives the Jew of Akhmim.
Illustration: Fol. 25v: Painting 8: Demyanos writing the Miracles of Mary.
Illustration: Fol. 26r: Painting 9: The Virgin shows Demyanos the pillar of gold in heaven.
Illustration: Fol. 29v: Painting 10: Abbas cuts off his hand.
Illustration: Fol. 30r: Painting 11: The Virgin restores Abbas' hand.
Illustration: Fol. 35r: Painting 12: The Virgin appears to Isaac and raises him up.
Illustration: Fol. 39v: Painting 13: The Virgin makes the girl follow her.
Illustration: Fol. 40r: Painting 14: The girl receives communion.
Illustration: Fol. 44v: Painting 15: [left] The artist falls, dragged down by a demon; [right] the Virgin raises him up.
Illustration: Fol. 47v: Painting 16: The Virgin brings the sick man to Jerusalem (he is shown being baptized in the Jordan).
Illustration: Fol. 48r: Painting 17: A rectangular: building or church representing Jerusalem.
Illustration: Fol. 54v: Painting 18: Zäkaryas crowns the Virgin with roses.
Illustration: Fol. 55r: Painting 19: Zäkaryas is rescued from the thieves.
Illustration: Fol. 58v: Painting 20: The thief's teeth shatter when he tries to eat the bread he has stolen.
Illustration: Fol. 59r: Painting 21: The repentant thieves do homage to the Virgin.
Illustration: Fol. 63r: Painting 22: The two shipwrecked Arabs look on whilst their companion is swallowed by a whale.
Illustration: Fol. 64v: Painting 23: The two surviving Arabs bring their gifts to the church.
Illustration: Fol. 67r: Painting 24: The Virgin appears in a dream to the priest of the church.
Illustration: Fol. 67v: Painting 25: The church appears by the sea shore.
Illustration: Fol. 72r: Painting 26: The Virgin restores Yohannes' sight.
Illustration: Fol. 76r: Painting 27: The merchant is struck in the eye by an arrow.
Illustration: Fol. 76v: Painting 28: The Virgin restores the merchant's sight through an image of him.
Illustration: Fol. 82r: Painting 29: The Virgin restores the girl's sight.
Illustration: Fol. 87v: Painting 30: The Virgin appears in a dream to the widow and promises to look after her daughters.
Illustration: Fol. 88r: Painting 31: Téwog takes the daughters to be married.
Illustration: Fol. 91v: Painting 32: The two brothers writing.
Illustration: Fol. 92r: Painting 33: The Virgin rescues the soul of the good brother.
Illustration: Fol. 95r: Painting 34: The Virgin rescues George in the form of a dove.
Illustration: Fol. 100r: Painting 35: The guardian of the church drives out Kät'ir.
Illustration: Fol. 100v: Painting 36: The Virgin instructs the angels to punish the guardian.
Illustration: Fol. 106v: Painting 37: St. George strikes down the dishonest merchant who had Näzib falsely accused.
Illustration: Fol. 107r: Painting 38: Näzib brings his testimony before the judge.
Illustration: Fol. 111v: Painting 39: The man praying in church.
Illustration: Fol. 112r: Painting 40: The man shows his healed foot to the bishop.
Illustration: Fol. 116r: Painting 41: The Virgin cures Märqoréwos of his leprosy.
Illustration: Fol. 120v: Painting 42: The Virgin cures the woman of her lameness.
Illustration: Fol. 129r: Painting 43: Sofya is delivered of her child by the angels.
Illustration: Fol. 129v: Painting 44: The child, now grown, comes before the bishop.
Illustration: Fol. 132v: Painting 45: Barok is attacked and killed by his enemies, and [right] his corpse is shown in the church.
Illustration: Fol. 135r: Painting 46: The Virgin appears to Anest'asyos in a dream.
Illustration: Fol. 138v: Painting 47: [left] The monk (called Sämalusi in the inscription) is attacked by his fellow monks, and [right] throws his cap to make a hole in the wall.
Illustration: Fol. 143v: Painting 48: [top] The cannibal approaches the farmer; [bottom] he is shown eating his victims.
Illustration: Fol. 144r: Painting 49: [top] His soul is saved by the Virgin after it has been weighed in the balance by the archangel Michael; [bottom] the cannibal gives water to the leper.
Illustration: Fol. 146r: Painting 50: The widow prays to the Virgin Mary.
Illustration: Fol. 146v: Painting 51: The Virgin comes to rescue the widow's son after he has been hanged.
Illustration: Fol. 149v: Painting 52: The Virgin protects the woman and her child with her cloak.
Illustration: Fol. 152v: Painting 53: The Virgin gives the dog water to drink from her shoe.
Illustration: Fol. 155v: Painting 54: [top] Christ grants Mary the Covenant of Mercy; [below] a prostrate supplicant, identified as Awsabyos in the text below.
Illustration: Fol. 163v: Painting 55: [top] The Trinity; [bottom] a prostrate supplicant, identified also as Awsabyos in spite of being clearly female.
Date and provenance: Mid-18th century. There is no colophon giving the date of composition. However, the hand and style of the paintings are in keeping with a mid eighteenth century date. The invocations for blessings throughout the text are mostly made for one Lätes'un (m.) occasionally in conjunction with that Wälättä Täklä Haymanot (f.). However, the name Awsabyos (m.) has been inserted in the top margin of many leaves, and also appears alongside the picture of the prostrate supplicant in paintings 2, 54 and 55, though in the last instance the figure is clearly female.
The text comprises 34 miracles of the Virgin Mary together with 3 miracles of St. George.
Fol. 1r: Blank except for pen trial.
Purchase, Sam Fogg, London.
Physical DescriptionMostly in numbered gatherings of 8 leaves, the manuscript is in excellent condition and shows no damage and only a little natural wear to the edges of some leaves, 1 col. of 15 lines, written in black with the usual rubrics (alternate opening lines of sections, the name of Mary and Saint George as well as those of the owners, major punctuation) in a generally well-formed early räqiq hand [4-5mm], deteriorating somewhat towards the end of the text, datable to the first half or middle of the eighteenth century, many of the miracle texts are marked with small coloured threads sewn on to the edge of the leaves, ruling and pricking visible throughout, there are 49 full page miniatures, 6 half page miniatures; bound between wooden boards covered and with a spine in tooled leather, brocade insert panels on the inside of the covers. Fols. 1v-3r, 4v, 15v, 22v, 35v, 48v, 82v, 95v, 112v, 116v, 143r, 163r, 164-165: blank.
Located on folio 5r-155r.
1 itemLocated on folio 5r-12r.
1 itemLocated on folio 13r-14v.
1 itemLocated on folio 16r-18r.
1 itemLocated on folio 19r-21v.
1 itemLocated on folio 23r-25v.
1 itemLocated on folio 26v-29v.
1 itemLocated on folio 30v-34v.
1 itemLocated on folio 36r-39r.
1 itemLocated on folio 40v-44r.
1 itemLocated on folio 45r-47r.
1 itemLocated on folio 49r-54r.
1 itemLocated on folio 55v-58r.
1 itemLocated on folio 59v-62v.
1 itemLocated on folio 64r-66v.
1 itemLocated on folio 66v-71v.
1 itemLocated on folio 72v-75v.
1 itemLocated on folio 77r-81v.
1 itemLocated on folio 83r-87r.
1 itemLocated on folio 88v-91r.
1 itemLocated on folio 92v-94v.
1 itemLocated on folio 96r-99v.
1 itemLocated on folio 101r-106r.
1 itemLocated on folio 107v-111v.
1 itemLocated on folio 113r-115v.
1 itemLocated on folio 117-120v.
1 itemLocated on folio 121r-129r.
1 itemLocated on folio 129v-132r.
1 itemLocated on folio 133r-134v.
1 itemLocated on folio 135v-138r.
1 itemLocated on folio 138r.
1 itemLocated on folio 139r-142v.
1 itemLocated on folio 144v-146r.
1 itemLocated on folio 146v-149r.
1 itemLocated on folio 150r-152r.
1 itemLocated on folio 153r-155r.
1 itemLocated on folio 155r.
1 itemLocated on folio 156r-162v.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 itemIn the form of a miniature book. Parchment leaves (2 flyleaves at front; 18 leaves in 3 quires), with trim dimensions of 3.5 x 2.5 cm. Original blind-tooled leather binding.3.5 x 2.5 cm
The panels contain scenes of the life of Christ, with brief inscriptions in Ge'ez.
Gift of Bruce Willsie, Princeton Class of 1986.
Physical Description1 itemOn parchment. Comprised of 10 panels measuring approximately 50 x 50 cm each, opening horizontally50 x 50 cm
The eight paintings were all added later.
Illustration: Fol. 15r: Painting 1: Figure representing the zodiacal sign Virgo (Sanbulā).
Illustration: Fol. 15v: Painting 2: Figure representing the zodiacal sign Cancer (Sart'ān).
Illustration: Fol. 16r: Painting 3: Figure representing the zodiacal sign Leo ('Asad).
Illustration: Fol. 16v: Painting 4: Figure representing the zodiacal sign Sagittarius (Qaws).
Illustration: Fol. 17r: Painting 5: Figure representing the zodiacal sign Libra (Mizān).
Illustration: Fol. 21r: Painting 6: Eight-pointed star design with central face.
Illustration: Fol. 22r: Painting 7: Nine round faces encircling two square faces.
Illustration: Fol. 22r [bottom]: Painting 8: Two circles with central faces.
Physical Description1 column [fols. 1-8, 12-13, 17v-22], 2 columns [fols. 9-11, 14, 23-29], 20-22 lines. Parchment. Composite manuscript, various hands. Wooden boards covered in stamped leather. Fol. 22v: Blank.
An astrological treatise, in Ge'ez with sections in Amharic. Incomplete, terminates in abrupto.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 1r-8v.
In Amharic. Terminates in abrupto.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 9r-11v, 14rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 12r-13v.
1 itemLocated on folio 17v-18v.
1 itemLocated on folio 19rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 20r.
1 itemLocated on folio 20v-22r.
1 itemLocated on folio 23r-28r.
1 itemLocated on folio 28rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 28v.
1 itemLocated on folio 29rv.
The paintings and [harags] are all added later, the former in some cases apparently over text. There are also several [harags] drawn in pencil but not colored in. The paintings have been executed in an archaizing style by an accomplished artist, probably in the latter part of the 20th century.
Illustration: Fol. 1r: Painting 1: The Annunciation.
Illustration: Fol. 1v: Painting 2: The Nativity of Jesus.
Illustration: Fol. 2r: Painting 3: God the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost crowning Mary.
Illustration: Fol. 2v: Painting 4: The Baptism of Jesus by John.
Illustration: Fol. 3r: Painting 5: Jesus fasting in the desert, tempted by the Devil.
Illustration: Fol. 3v: Painting 6: Our Lady Mary and Elizabeth.
Illustration: Fol. 4r: Painting 7: The Virgin Mary giving Daqseyos a throne and a cloak in return for his having written the Book of her Miracles (a scene drawn from the Miracles of Mary text).
Illustration: Fol. 4v: Painting 8: St. Mark the Evangelist.
Illustration: Fol. 32v: Painting 9: St. Gabriel saving the three children from the fiery furnace.
Illustration: Fol. 58v: Painting 10: The Resurrection of Our Lord, with the figures of Adam and Eve.
Illustration: Fol. 67r: Painting 11: Herod ordering the execution of James the brother of John.
Illustration: Fol. 107v: Painting 12: Jesus raising the widow's son.
Illustration: Fol. 130r: Painting 13: Jesus healing the blind man at Bethsaida.
Illustration: Fol. 139v: Painting 14: St. George slaying the dragon.
Illustration: Fol. 154v: Painting 15: Mary prostrating herself before Our Lord.
Illustration: Fol. 162r: Painting 16: Jesus raising Lazarus.
Illustration: Fol. 177r: Painting 17: The Crucifixion.
Illustration: Fol. 183v: Painting 18: Joseph and Nicodemus placing Jesus in the tomb.
Illustration: Fol. 184r: Painting 19: The Deposition from the Cross.
Illustration: Fol. 184v: Painting 20: St. Michael the Archangel.
Former owners: Walda 'Iyasus and Walatta Heywat, also Hāyla Mikā'ēl
Physical Description2 columns, 20-21 lines. Parchment. 20 Paintings (added later), 8 colored [harags] or ornamental headpieces. Wooden boards covered in stamped leather with brocade insert panels on the inside, hide slipcase.
1 itemLocated on folio 5r-11v.
Located on folio 12r-25v.
1 itemLocated on folio 26r-28r.
1 itemLocated on folio 28r-30r.
1 itemLocated on folio 30r-32r.
Located on folio 33r-41r.
1 itemLocated on folio 41r-43r.
1 itemLocated on folio 43v-44r.
Located on folio 44v-56r.
1 itemLocated on folio 56r-58r.
1 itemLocated on folio 58r.
Located on folio 59r-63r.
1 itemLocated on folio 63r-65r.
1 itemLocated on folio 65r-67r.
Located on folio 67v-86v.
1 itemLocated on folio 87r-90r.
1 itemLocated on folio 90r.
Located on folio 90v-96r.
1 itemLocated on folio 96r-99v.
1 itemLocated on folio 100rv.
Located on folio 101r-103v.
1 itemLocated on folio 103v-106v.
1 itemLocated on folio 106v-107r.
Located on folio 108r-115v.
1 itemLocated on folio 115v-119r.
1 itemLocated on folio 119r-129v.
Located on folio 130v-136r.
1 itemLocated on folio 136r-138v.
1 itemLocated on folio 138v-139r.
Located on folio 140r-147r.
1 itemLocated on folio 147r-149v.
1 itemLocated on folio 149v.
1 itemLocated on folio 150r-154r.
Located on folio 155r-158v.
1 itemLocated on folio 158v-161r.
1 itemLocated on folio 161rv.
Located on folio 162v-168r.
1 itemLocated on folio 168r-174v.
1 itemLocated on folio 174v-176v.
Attributed to Hēnok the son of Yārēd, concluding with a colophon dating the completion of this part of the manuscript to the month of Maskaram 1913 EC, equivalent to September 1920.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 177v-183v.
1 column [fols. 1-120r], 2 columns [120v-135], 25 lines. Parchment. No cover, stitched (some folios loose).
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-103r.
1 itemLocated on folio 103r-114r.
1 itemLocated on folio 114v-120r.
1 itemLocated on folio 120v-130v.
1 itemLocated on folio 130v-135v.
The rubrics and thus the titles of most texts are faded and illegible. The text is fragmented and the individual elements do not follow the normal sequence.
The manuscript is severely damaged after fol. 82v and identifying the texts is difficult; there are however sections (e.g. a Synaxarium entry) pertaining to the month of Maskaram.
Physical Description2 columns, 22-24 lines. Wooden boards, stitched with open spine. Fols. 17r, 83r: Blank
1 itemLocated on folio 1rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 2r-3r.
Located on folio 3r.
1 itemLocated on folio 3v-7r.
Located on folio 7v.
1 itemLocated on folio 7v-8v.
1 itemLocated on folio 8v-10v.
Located on folio 11r-14r.
1 itemLocated on folio 14r-16r.
1 itemLocated on folio 16rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 17v-21r.
1 itemLocated on folio 21r-26v.
1 itemLocated on folio 27r-30r.
1 itemLocated on folio 30v-44r.
Located on folio 44rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 44v-45v.
1 itemLocated on folio 45v-53v.
Located on folio 54r.
1 itemLocated on folio 54r-55r.
1 itemLocated on folio 55r-61r.
1 itemLocated on folio 61r-65v.
1 itemLocated on folio 66rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 66v-68v.
1 itemLocated on folio 69r-70r.
1 itemLocated on folio 70r-71r.
1 itemLocated on folio 71r-75v.
1 itemLocated on folio 76r-78r.
1 itemLocated on folio 78rv.
1 itemLocated on folio 78v-79r.
Located on folio 79r-81v.
1 itemLocated on folio 81v.
1 itemLocated on folio 82v.
3 columns, 40 lines. Loose folios. Fols. 4-6: Blank
1 itemLocated on folio 1r-3r.
Date and Provenance: Probably commissioned by the King Dawit III (reigned 1716-21). Though partially erased, the name Dawit appears throughout the text. The form of words does not include the formula "for our king," most often used though this is not always present in royal manuscripts. Dawit appears prostrate in one of the paintings wearing a luxurious Indian dress. Dawit's elder brother, who preceded him as king from 1706 to 1708 following the death of their father Iyasu I (Iyasu the Great) was Täklä Haymanot I and this name seems occasionally to accompany that of Dawit in the partially erased dedications.
As is usual, there is no colophon giving details of provenance. Each of the texts in the main body of the MS [fols. 3-100] closes with an invocation for blessings upon the owners. The names of the original owners, which were written in red, have been erased throughout, though at times somewhat imperfectly. The preceding text makes it clear that the original owner was a man, and the dedication also occasionally mentions a female as well, perhaps his wife or sister. The man's name is in several places recoverable as Dawit, though the space left for it in the black text is too large and the name is usually preceded or followed by decorative punctuation marks (säräz .).
In a few places there are traces of a second name, [Täklä] Haymanot accompanying that of Dawit. The woman's name is in places recoverable as Hadä[fä] Maryam, though elsewhere another name, Awdokseya (?), appears. The names inserted over these erasures are Arkälédes (m.) and Rébén (f.). The script is in keeping with a date during the first half of the eighteenth century, showing many gwelh-like features: large size, regularity of form, a tendency to a top-heavy structure with short letter heads (especially in ò, å), a pronounced hook in the vowel mark of ¶. The modern letter •Á appears in its older form which was still in use until the second half of the eighteenth century. The manuscript appears to have been in western Europe since the 19th century. On the back flyleaf pf the manuscript is a European dealer's or owner's ticket (handwritten on a blue printed label); the number appears to be in a German hand. The manuscript later passed through the hands of the dealer Merton D. Simpson, ca. 1970; the collector Alen Revier, 1971-1997; the dealer Milos Simovic, 1997-2004; and Sam Fogg Rare Books, London, 2004-2012.
Text: The principal text of the manuscript [fols. 7-99] is a collection of 32 miracles of the Virgin Mary. The basic canon of the Miracles, as described by Cerulli, comprised 32 miracles, but Ethiopian collections sometimes include others. The basic collection was subject to addition even before the translation of the Arabic Vorlage into Ethiopic in the fifteenth century, and some Ethiopian collections run to an enormous size. The largest collection known to date (BL Or. 643, dated 1717) contains no less than 316 miracles, though smaller collections are the more usual. Examples of the Ethiopian Miracles of Mary are to be found in all the major collections of Ethiopian manuscripts, such as the Biblioteca Vaticana, the British Library, the Bibliothèque Nationale, the Fonds Conti Rossini of the Accademia Nazionale dei Lincei, the Cambridge University Library, etc. The basic work dealing with the Ethiopian Book of the Miracles of Mary is Cerulli's Il libro etiopico dei Miracoli di Maria, Rome 1943; see also E.A. Wallis Budge, The Miracles of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Life of Hanna, London 1900, and by the same author, Legends of Our Lady Mary, the Perpetual Virgin, and Her Mother Hannâ, London 1922, and One Hundred and Ten Miracles of Our Lady Mary, London, 1923.
In the present manuscript each Miracle is numbered. Miracle 29 is incorrectly numbered as 30, and those following are consequently incorrectly numbered. The miracles here follow the traditional sequence. Each miracle text closes with a brief hymn to the Virgin Mary. The Miracles are preceded by the short text [fols. 3r-6r].
The manuscript closes [fols. 100v-150v] with a collection of hymns or litanies to the Virgin Mary, including the Hymn of the Flower [Mahlétä S'egé].
Physical DescriptionManuscript on parchment, mostly in gatherings of 10 leaves. The main body of the text is written in 2 columns of 15 lines, in black with the usual rubrics (opening lines of individual texts, the name of Mary, the original owner's names, partially erased, and major punctuation.), in a moderately large hand (7-9 mm in height) in a cursive gwelh or räqiq script. The leaves towards the end of the MS [fols. 105-150] are written in a somewhat larger gwelh hand [10-12mm] in 2 columns of 11 lines. Original pricking and ruling is visible throughout. There are 59 paintings, 52 of which are full-page and the others part or half-page, most of which are protected by muslin panels sewn on to the leaves. There is also a small detached painted leaf sewn to a blank leaf at the back of the MS [fol. 151]. All the paintings are executed in the Second Gondarene style. The MS is bound between wooden boards covered in tooled red-brown leather. Illumination: There are 59 full-page paintings illustrating 32 miracles, all painted in the classic court style that developed in Gondar during Dawit's reign. The style is initially dependent on European engravings but is here fully refashioned in a narrow range of figure types and brilliant colours. It can be closely compared with a painting in a manuscript of the Legends of Mary made for King Bäkaffa around 1721 and now in the British Library (British Library, Or. 603). The style of the paintings, which is a particularly fine example of the Second Gondarene period of painting, conforms with a date in the first half of the eighteenth century. This style with its heavily modelled features, rich colouring and solid backgrounds, is normally associated with the reign of Iyasu II [1730-55], though its roots must go further back to the earlier part of the century. The manuscript is discussed in C. Griffith Mann, Art of Ethiopia (London: Sam Fogg Rare Books, 2005), pp. 116-17. The Princeton University Library purchased it from Sam Fogg Rare Books, London, in 2012. Acc. 2012-71 Paintings: The style of the paintings belongs to the full Second or Late Gondarene style, which flourished from about 1730 onwards. Typical is the heavy modelling of the flesh and the folds of garments and draperies, the latter often with simple linear or dot decoration. Occasionally, richer patterning is shown, imitating brocade [see for example painting 29, fol. 52v]. The figures are all set against coloured backgrounds, which usually shade from green through yellow to red. Most of the pictures are also enclosed with a simple coloured frame, and sometimes elements of the picture extend into or outside the frame. A few paintings also show what look like uncoloured linear drawings of figures or architectural details that extend outside the frame. The palette is predominately dark red, vermilion, green, yellow, dark blue, purple and brown.
1 itemLocated on folio 1-2.
Beginning, "The angels worship Mary from within the veil, and they say to her 'Hail to thee, Mary, restorer of the Lamb.'" The section concludes [fols. 5v-6r] with a hymn of salutation [sälam] to the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 3-6r.
1 itemLocated on folio 6v.
Beginning, "In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. One God. A miracle of Our Lady, the Holy Twice Virgin, Mary, Mother of God."
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 7r-97v.
The story of Hildefonsus of Toledo [Däqseyos of T'elt'elya in the Ethiopian version], followed by two short hymns.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 7r-9v.
Hildefonsus [Däqseyos] hands his book of the Miracles to the Virgin Mary. The text reads 'How Däqseyos wrote for her.'
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 10r.
The Virgin offers a throne and a robe to Dexius. The text reads 'How she gave him a throne and a robe'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 10v.
An angel strikes down the bishop who stole Hildefonsus' throne. The text reads 'How he fell and died'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 11r.
The story of the craftsman who venerated the Virgin Mary constantly.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 11v-12r.
The craftsman appears before the Virgin Mary. The text [incomplete] reads 'How she blessed this ...'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 12v.
The story of the Jew from Akhmim
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 13r-14r.
The Virgin raises up the Jew of Akhmim, who also appears fallen at her feet. The text reads 'How she raised him up.'
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 14v.
The Virgin blesses the Jew of Akhmim. The text reads 'How she made him stand at her right hand.'
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 15r.
The story of the monk Damianus of Philippi
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 15v-16v.
1 itemLocated on folio 17r.
On the left Damianus is shown writing the Virgin's name, whilst on the right she restores his sight.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 17v.
The story of Pope Leon [Abbas of Romé in the Ethiopic] whose hand was restored after he had cut it off when a woman touched it as he was administering the Eucharist.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 18r-19r.
In the centre Leon touches the woman, whilst on the right he cuts off his hand. The text reads 'those who receive the body and blood of Our Lord'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 19v.
The Virgin restores Leon's hand. The text reads 'How she gave him life'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 20r.
1 itemLocated on folio 20v.
The story of Isaac the monk who dedicated his prayers to the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 21r-22v.
The Virgin raises the fallen Isaac, as she had promised him in a dream. The text reads 'How he fell. How she raised him up'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 23r.
The story of the daughter of the man of Defra to whom the Virgin appeared from out of her icon and whom she promised to take directly to Paradise.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 23v-25r.
The Virgin leads the girl to Paradise. The text reads 'How she guided her'. The end of the hymn text following the miracle is included within the frame of the painting.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25r.
The story of the painter who fell while decorating a church and was restored by the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 25v-27r.
The painter falls from the scaffolding, but is caught by the Virgin. He is also shown at the top painting the blessed in heaven. The text reads 'How he fell. How she raised him up'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 27v.
The story of the sick pilgrim whom the Virgin transported to Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 28r-29r.
[half-page] The Virgin appears to the sick man, whose head and shoulders appear in a cloud at her feet. The text reads 'How she appeared to the sick merchant'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29r.
The Virgin and three figures stand above the recumbent figure of the merchant-pilgrim.The texts above the painting read 'It is Jerusalem' and 'How she brought him'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 29v.
The story of the young man Zacharias who crowned the head of a picture of the Virgin daily with roses.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 30r-32v.
On the left Zacharias crowns the Virgin's image with roses, whilst on the right he stands before the image. The text reads simply 'How he crowned her'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 33r.
The Virgin and angels appear to Zacharias.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 33v.
The story of Juliana and Barbara who were robbed of their bread whilst on pilgrimage to Jerusalem.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 34r-35r.
[half-page] The thieves rob Juliana and Barbara. the texts above the figures simply read 'the thieves' and 'the girls'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 35r.
The now repentant thieves stand before the Virgin who appears from within her church. The text reads 'How those thieves became monks'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 35v.
The story of three Arabs who were shipwrecked, two of whom were saved when they prayed to the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 36r-37v.
[three-quarter page]: On the left all three Arabs appear in the sea, whilst one is swallowed by the whale, whilst on the right the two Arabs who have been saved look on. The text simply reads 'the Arabs'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 37v.
The Arabs make their offerings at the church. The text describes the two gifts, 'some wool' and 'this camel'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 38r.
1 itemLocated on folio 38v.
The story of the church of 'Eqona that was removed to the edge of the Mediterranean Sea [called Iyariko = Jericho) in the Ethiopian version].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 39r-40r.
The Virgin appears to the priest and his congregation in a dream.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 40v.
The church and its congregation is transported to the sea shore. The text above simply gives the name of the church 'Eqona.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41r.
The story of the blind priest, Yohannes Bäkänsi, whose sight was restored with milk from the breast of the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 41v-43v.
[three-quarter page] The blind priest stands before the image of the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 43v.
The Virgin restores his sight with milk from her breast. The text reads 'Yohannes the old man whom she cured'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44r.
the story of the rich man from Qwälasyes who was healed by the Virgin of an arrow wound in the eye, sustained whilst fighting the Turks.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 44v-46r.
[half-page] The rich man and his companions in their boat. The texts read (in the top margin) 'the rich man of the island of Qwälasyes', and (just above the picture) 'the boat; the sail' [SIC].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 46r.
The rich man is wounded in the ye, and (below) his image is healed by the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 46v.
The story of Elisabeth, daughter of Abraham of Bäderman, whose sight was restored by the Virgin by sprinkling her eyes with milk from her breast.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 47r-49r.
Her mother brings the blind girl before the Virgin's image. The text in the top margin reads 'How she healed her'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 49v.
The Virgin appears to the girl and restores her sight with milk from her breast. The incomplete text above the painting reads 'this is ...'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 50r.
The story of the poor widow, the marriage of whose daughters was arranged by the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 50v-52v.
The widow stands before the Virgin's image whilst her daughters are shown seated in the background. The text in the top margin reads 'How she relieved the old woman of her wretchedness'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 52v.
The widow is buried whilst her daughters look on.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 53r.
The story of the two brother scribes, one of whom had been writing a copy of the Miracles of Mary and whose soul was rescued by the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 53v-55r.
The two scribes, described in the text as 'the two brothers'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55r.
The Virgin rescues the scribe's soul from devils.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 55v.
The story of St. George the Younger whom the Virgin rescued from prison.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 56r-57r.
St. George in prison on his iron griddle; the Virgin appears to him in the form here of a green dove. The text reads 'How she appeared to him'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 57v.
The story of the old priest called Kät'ir, whom the Virgin defended when he was banished from his church.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 58r-59v.
[half-page] The Virgin addresses the guardian of the church.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 59v.
The Virgin blesses the old priest, whilst in the top left-hand corner the church guardian is shown expelling him.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 60r.
1 itemLocated on folio 60v.
The story of the dyer called Näzib who was rescued at the Virgin's behest by St. George from prison where he was falsely detained.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 61r-63r.
On the left, Näzib and his brother receive the pieces of cloth for dying; top-right, St. George attacks the judge who condemned Näzib falsely; bottom-right, he is shown in prison.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 63v.
Näzib is acquitted and receives his pardon from the qadi.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 64r.
The story of the man with a club foot who was healed by the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 64v-66v.
On the left, the man tells the bishop of his ailment, whilst on the right, he is cured of his club foot and gives thanks to the image of the Virgin. The text reads 'she cured the Frank ['afrengawi].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 67r.
The man shows the bishop his healed foot.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 67v.
The story of Bishop Mercurius whom the Virgin cured of leprosy.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 68r-69r.
Top, the archbishop tells Mercurius he cannot serve as a priest whilst he has leprosy; bottom, Mercurius takes his leave of his congregation (?). The text at the top of the painting simply names Mercurius, who seems to be shown twice with his robe pulled off his shoulders to expose his leprosy.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 69v.
On the right, Mercurius stands before the Virgin, who heals him, whilst on the left, he shows the archbishop that he is now cured.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 70r.
the story of the woman of Haarlem (Hartälrom in the text here) with a lame foot who was healed by the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 70v-72r.
The woman is born on a litter by her relatives and placed before the image of the Virgin. The text reads 'the lame woman'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 72v.
The Virgin cures the woman, who is then shown standing before the Virgin's image.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73r.
The story of Abbess Sophia who conceived a child, and whose reputation was saved by the Virgin.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 73v-77v.
The Virgin supervises the delivery of Sophia's child by angels, who then hand the child to Felix [Filkes in the text here].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 78r.
the bishop addresses the nuns
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 78v.
Sophia tells her story to the bishop, and Felix [Filkes] verifies it, producing the child.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 79r.
The story of the rich and dissolute man, Barok of Finqi, who was saved by the Virgin Mary because of his devotion to her.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 79v-81r.
Barok gives a banquet.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 81v.
A composite picture showing variously Barok being attacked by his enemies; Barok being nursed; Barok telling his sins to the priest; and the Virgin Mary who oversees all these events.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 82r.
The story of the deacon Anastasius.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 82v-84r.
Anastasius stands before the Virgin's image, and (right) she appears to him in a dream in which she tells him he will join her in Paradise. The text simply identifies Anastasius [Anest'asyos].
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 84v.
The story of the monk of the monastery of Abba Samu'el in Qälmon.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 85r-88v.
1 itemLocated on folio 89r.
The man is attacked by his fellow monks and seized by them. The text reads 'how they seized him'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 89v.
The monk stands in prayer before the Virgin's image, having now lost his cap with which he miraculously made a breach in the wall to escape. The text reads 'how threw off the cap from his head'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 90r.
The story of the cannibal of Qemer whose soul was saved by the Virgin Mary.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 90v-92v.
A composite picture showing the cannibal dismembering his relatives; giving water to a leper; the farmers who set out to catch him. the two brief texts simply identify 'the cannibal' and 'the farmers'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 92v.
A composite picture showing Christ commanding the devil to surrender the cannibal's soul; St. Michael weighing the cannibal's soul in the balance; the Virgin Mary with Christ's blessing retrieving the cannibal's soul.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 93r.
The story of the widow's son who was a thief, whom the Virgin saved at his mother's request.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 93v-94v.
The thief steals from the Virgin's church.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 94v.
Top, the thief's mother prays before the Virgin's image; bottom, the thief is rescued by St. Michael from his bonds.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 95r.
The story of the woman who gave birth in a storm at sea with the Virgin's protection.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 95v-96v.
[three-quarter page] The Virgin shields the woman and her child with her cloak, while the congregation look on from the shore. The text reads 'How she saved her'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 96v.
The woman and her child amongst the congregation of her church. The text simply reads 'the faithful'.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 97r.
The story of the Virgin and the thirsty dog.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 97v-98v.
The Virgin gives water to the dog from her slipper, whilst below, her companions attempt to drive the dog away from the water jars.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 99r.
1 itemLocated on folio 99v.
The Virgin and Child with the archangels and below, the prostrate figure of the donor or commissioner of the manuscript.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 100r.
1 itemLocated on folio 100v.
1 itemLocated on folio 101r.
Beginning, "O Virgin, call to mind before the Keeper of Records who forgets nothing, call to mind, o Virgin, for my sake the birth through you of Him who was born in Bethlehem ...' Followed by a hymn of salutation [sälam] to the Virgin."
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 101v-104v.
a collection of hymns or songs to the Virgin Mary known as the Hymn or Canticle of the Flower [Mahlétä S'egé], beginning, "A flower appeared, shooting forth from the bone of him who greeted thee, the flower of Gabriel…".
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 105r-150v.
containing a painting of an equestrian saint attacking a centaur. Two equestrian saints, Claudius [Gälawdéwos] and Victor [Fiqt'or] are shown in Ethiopian tradition spearing a centaur. There is no text to identify which saint is portrayed here. The painting is in the Second Gondarene style and can be dated to the 18th century.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio 151r.
1 itemLocated on folio 151v-154v.
No specific owner's name is identifiable throughout, though several prayers contain the name of a certain Gäbrä Mika'él Täsämma (sometimes just given as Gäbrä Täsämma). In addition, one of the loose bifolia contains a picture of a certain Ato Amarä Zäbehéral (? end of the second name unclear). The various hands, all of which are of poor quality, together with the paintings on the inserts, which show some western pigments, are indicative of a late 19th cent. date.
The text comprises a typîcal däbtära's manual of various magico-medical, divinatory and astrological texts together with sample talismanic drawings. Notable is the set of charts from the divinatory text, the Awdâ Nägäst, or Cycle of the Kings.
Purchase, 2012.
Physical DescriptionParchment manuscript in gatherings of various sizes, most frequently of 8. The thickness of the parchment varies considerably, and almost all leaves show signs of heavy wear, staining and rubbing. Single column text, varying number of lines (between 16 and 35), written in a mixture of Ge'ez and Amharic, variously in black with some rubrics, also in red, and in purple in a number of different hands. There are 32 charts and talismanic drawings (25 full-page, 7 part-page) in ink, and in addition there are 4 bifolia of coloured paintings inserted loosely into the manuscript. Bound in a plain parchment cover and preserved in a skin double carrying case with strap.
In Amharic.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 1r-8r.
In Amharic with some Ge'ez.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 8v-12r.
incorporating magical names, in Ge'ez except for one [fols. 14v-15v] which is in part at least in Arabic, or what purports to be Arabic, written in Ethiopian script.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 12r-15v.
In Amharic.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio f.16r.
1 itemLocated on folio f.16v.
Placed within the text is a further talismanic drawing in the form of an eight-pointed star and a chart. The prayers also contain "magical" or talismanic letter-forms.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 17r-22r.
1 itemLocated on folio f.22v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 23r-24v.
1 itemLocated on folio f.25r-v.
1 itemLocated on folio f.26r.
Within the text are placed 4 talismanic drawings and charts.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 27r-35r.
1 itemLocated on folio f.35v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 36r-37v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 37v-39v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 39v-43r.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 43v-51v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 52r-56v.
1 itemLocated on folio f.57r-v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 57v-58v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 58v-62v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 63r-64v.
For each of the months of the year, followed by a numerical chart given the hours of daylight and darkness for the month of Tahsas.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 65r-68r.
1 itemLocated on folio f.68v.
An Ethiopian text probably originally composed in the 15th cent., which by means of circular tables [awd] allows the diviner or fortune teller to find answers to specific questions posed by his clients. The 16 tables are each named after Ethiopian lakes or rivers.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 69r-76v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 77r-78v.
1 itemLocated on folio f.79r.
1 itemLocated on folio f.79v.
In Amharic, with some Ge'ez.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 80r-100r.
In Ge'ez, with some Amharic.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 100v-118v.
1 itemLocated on folio fols. 118v-123r.
Mostly in Ge'ez but with occasional Amharic.
Physical Description1 itemLocated on folio fols. 123r-145r.
Unrelated to the text in which it is inserted.
Front: St. George and the dragon.
Interior: blank except for ball-pen scribbles.
Back: Holy Trinity with the four evangelical zoa.
Physical Description1 item
Unrelated to the text in which it is inserted.
Front: Virgin and Child.
Interior left: crowned figure of Christ in the iconography of the Ecce Homo.
Interior right: Crucifixion.
Back: blank except for a rough drawing of a face and a pen trial.
Physical Description1 item
Unrelated to the text in which it is inserted.
Front: plain cross.
Interior left: male figure identified as Ato Amarä Behéral ( ?) with his rifle bearer; the text reads "how he put himself under the protection of Our lady Mary."
Interior right: Ascension with the figures of Adam and Eve "risen from their sleep."
Back: blank except for scribbles.
Physical Description1 item
The style of the drawing of the fourth bifolia differs markedly from that of the other three, and is probably by a different artist.
Unrelated to the text in which it is inserted.
Front: faint drawing of a figure.
Interior left: St. Michael.
Interior right: scribbles.
Back: blank except for faint scribbles.
Physical Description1 item
1 item11 x 9.2 cm
1 itemParchment manuscript.12 x 8 cm
1 itemParchment manuscript.20.7 x 13.5 cm
1 itemParchment manuscript.13 x 9 cm
1 itemParchment manuscript.11.2 x 8.5 cm
1 item20.5 x 18 cm
1 item24.5 x 18 cm
1 itemParchment manuscript.18 x 16.5 cm
1 itemVellum manuscript.19 x 15 cm
1 itemParchment manuscript.16 x 11 cm
1 itemParchment manuscript.18.2 x 15.5 cm
1 item36.6 x 29.2 cm
1 item12.3 x 8.6 cm
1 item26 x 19 cm
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