Echmiadzin Gospels

The Echmiadzin Gospels is a 10th-century Armenian Gospel Book produced in 989 at the Monastery of Bgheno-Noravank in Syunik. Up to the 10th century, eight dated Armenian Gospel manuscripts have survived: the Gospels of Queen Mlké, the Lazarian Gospels, The Gospels of Ashot Sparapet, Dsurghut Gospels, the Sanasarian Gospels, Sk'antchelagorts Gospels, Ejmiadsin Gospels and the Gospels of the Translators .

The book

The manuscript has 232 extant leaves which measure approximately 32 by 25.5 cm. The book was made under the patronage of Bishop Stepanos and written by the scribe Hovhanes. The binding of the book is made of two carved ivory plaques, probably of Byzantine manufacture of the 6th century. Bound into the book are two leaves with miniatures dating to the late 6th—early 7th century.

Eusebian Canons

The art historian Carl Nordenfalk considered the Eusebian canon tables in the Echmiadzin Gospels to be the best representative of the original table design developed in Caesarea Palaestina at the time of Eusebius. Taking into account the Caesarean type of the Armenian text of the Gospels, Nordenfalk concluded that the Echmiadzin Gospels were copied from a Caesarean codex equipped with the Eusebian canon tables.