MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER
The Nicomedia Gospel
REF N° 2004-50
PART A - ESSENTIAL INFORMATION
SUMMARY
The Nicomedia Gospel. The late twelfth - the early thirteenth centuries. Manuscript on parchment in 4E. 20
miniatures, 4 headpieces. Organic colors, gold. 176 x 116 mm. 325 p. In binding. Language: Greek. Fonds
301, No. 25 : Cat. No. 30, p.57.
The Nicomedia Gospel is a document which represents the history of Greek scripture and book tradition
from the very beginning of Christianity. It is a true masterpiece of Byzantine art and valuable illuminated
manuscripts of the New Testament.
The Nicomedia Gospel achieved its world significance due to its miniatures and headpieces, executed with
unsurpassed mastery. The manuscript contains 20 miniatures, some original headpieces, which belong to the
best examples of the Byzantine art. The painting was executed by 10 or 12 different masters.
This document belongs to the Chicago- Karakhissar group of Greek manuscripts. Well-known researcher of
Greek manuscripts B. Fonkitch divided this group into three subdivisions. The Nicomedia Gospel is the
characteristic and unique world exemplar of the second subdivision of this group of manuscripts.
2
DETAILS OF THE NOMINATOR
2.1
Name (person or organisation)
V.I Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
Institute of Manuscript
2.2
Relationship to the documentary heritage nominated
Custodian of the documentary heritage. Preservation and research
2.3
Contact person (s)
Onyshchenko Oleksii Semenovych, Director General,
V.I Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
2.4
Contact details (include address, phone, fax, email)
V.I Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
Prospect 40-richja Zhovtnja, 3
Kyiv, 03039 Ukraine
Tel: 038- 044- 234-8256
Fax: 038- 044- 265-5602
3
IDENTITY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE DOCUMENTARY HERITAGE
3.1
Name and identification details of the items being nominated
The Nicomedia Gospel. Late twelfth - early thirteenth centuries. Manuscript on parchment in 4°: 176 x 116
mm. 20 miniatures, 4 headpieces. 325 pp. In binding. Language: Greek. Fund 301, No. 25 :
The manuscript contains 20 miniatures, some original headpieces, which demonstrate the best examples of
Byzantine art. The headpieces are coloured, with the image of Christ Emmanuel in a circle. At the beginning
of each Gospel there are enamel initials, further in the text, they are carmine with gold.
Its text is an index of Gospel Readings and explanation of “Alleluia “ (separate words are remained).
3.2
Description
The Nicomedia Gospel is a document which represents the history of Greek scripture and book tradition
from the beginning of Christianity. It is a true masterpiece of Byzantine art and valuable illuminated
manuscripts of the New Testament.
The Nicomedia Gospel attained world significance due to its miniatures and headpieces, executed with
unsurpassed mastery. The manuscript contains 20 miniatures, some original headpieces, which belong to the
best examples of the Byzantine art. The headpieces are coloured, with the image of Christ Emmanuel in a
circle. At the beginning of each Gospel there are enamel initials, further in the text, they are carmine with
gold. Its text is an index of Gospel Readings and explanation of “Alleluia “ (separate words are remained).
This document belongs to the Chicago- Karakhissar group of Greek manuscripts. Well-known researcher of
Greek manuscripts Dr. Boris Fonkitch divided this group into three subdivisions. The Nicomedia Gospel is
the characteristic and unique world exemplar of the second subdivision of this group of manuscripts.
This manuscript came to Kyiv Ecclesiastic Academy from V.V.Dobrovolsky in 1880, who bought it from a
Bulgarian, who in his turn bought it in Nicomedia. In 1923 it was preserved in the collection of
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra Reserve. Since 1934 it has been preserved in V.I.Vernadsky National Library of
Ukraine
The Nicomedia Gospel is a historic and paleographic phenomenon of great international significance, has
no direct equal in the world, has outstanding aesthetic, artistic, linguistic value.
Literature: Петров Н.И. Миниатюры и заставки в греческом евангелии ХІІІ в. // Искусство в Южной
России - живопись, графика, художественная печать.- К., 1911.- m3-4.- С.78-100; Мокрецова И.П. О
некоторых особенностях миниатюр Никомидийского евангелия // Древнерусское искусство:
Рукописная книга.- М., 1983. - Сб. 3.- С.303-330; Грецькі рукописи у зібраннях Києва. Каталог /
Упорядник Є.Чернухін.- Київ-Вашингтон, 2000. - С.57-58.
4
JUSTIFICATION FOR INCLUSION/ ASSESSMENT AGAINST CRITERIA
4.1
Authenticity
Yes. Provenance: October 28, 1880 Kyiv citizen V.Dobrovol’sky proposed the Gospel to the secretary of
the Church-Archeological Society M.Petrov. V.Dobrovol’sky had bought it from a Bulgarian, who, by his
own words, bought it in Nicomedia.
Their identity and date have been reliably established by world-known researchers of palaeography
N.Petrov, Eug. Chernukhin. It identity can be confirmed by Dr. Boris Fonkitch, World History Institute,
Russia, Dr. Inna Mokretsova, Moscow, Russia, Prof. L.Dubrovina, Director Institute of Manuscript, Kiev,
Ukraine
4.2
World significance, uniqueness and irreplaceability
Yes. This document belongs to the Chicago- Karakhissar group of Greek manuscripts. Well-known
researcher of Greek manuscripts Dr. Boris Fonkitch divided this group into three subdivisions. The
Nicomedia Gospel is the characteristic and the unique world exemplar of the second subdivision of this
group of manuscripts.
Seven miniatures of the book: “Salvator Emmanuel”, our Lady on the Throne” , and four Evangelists and
“Four Maries and St Peter” belong to the outstanding examples of Byzantine art of that time. The painting is
executed with unsurpassed mastery
Its disappearance or deterioration would constitute a harmful impoverishment of the heritage of humanity. It
has created great impact within a particular cultural area of the world -Slavonic and Ukrainian. It has no
direct equal in the world.
4.3. Criteria
time Late twelfth - early thirteenth centuries. The only known exemplar of the second subgroup
of the Chicago- Karakhissar group of Greek manuscripts
place Provenance: from Nicomedia city, Greece ( now Turkey)
people It belongs to the outstanding examples of Byzantine art of that time. Masterpieces of
Byzantine book illustration executed by 10-12 different masters.
subject The Nicomedia Gospel contains 20 miniatures, some original headpieces, which belong to
the best examples of the Byzantine art
theme: Its text is an index of Gospel Readings and explanation of “Alleluia “ (separate words
remained).
form and style: Manuscript on parchment in 4°: 176 x 116 mm. 325 pp. In binding. Language: Greek.
Miniatures, headpieces.
a4.4
Issues of rarity, integrity, threat and management
Rarity:
The Nicomedia Gospel is a historic and palaeographic document of great international
significance. It obtained its world significance due to its miniatures and headpieces, executed with
unsurpassed mastery.
Integrity:
The documental heritage is complete.
Threat :
The document is secure but the vigilance must be applied to maintain its security because of
the brittle carrier.
Management plan : Yes.
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1.1.
LEGAL INFORMATION
Owner of the documentary heritage (name and contact details)
V.I Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
Prospect 40-richja Zhovtnja, 3
Kyiv, 03039 Ukraine
Tel. 038-044- 234- 8256
Fax: 038- 044- 265-5602
5.2
No
Custodian of the documentary heritage (name and contact details, if different to owner)
5.3
Legal status:
(a) Category of ownership
mechanisms are in place
State property. Appropriate custodial, conservation and protective
(b) Accessibility
Appropriate access is guaranteed
(c) Copyright status
Property of the state.
(d) Responsible administration
Onyshchenko Oleksii Semenovych, Director General,
National V.I Vernadsky Library of Ukraine
Prospect 40-richja Zhovtnja, 3. Kyiv, 03039 Ukraine
Tel: 038- 044- 234-8256
Fax: 038- 044- 265-5602
(e) Other factors
No
6
MANAGEMENT PLAN
6.1
While there is no management plan the collection is housed in an early 20th century building,
specially built for the library. It has central heating, air-conditioning. The document kept on special
conditions in a safe. It is under permanent care of curators.
7
CONSULTATION
7.1
Provide details of consultation about this nomination with (a) the owner of the heritage (b) the
custodian (c) your national or regional Memory of the World committee
PART B - SUBSIDIARY INFORMATION
8
ASSESSMENT OF RISK
8.1
The Nicomedia Gospel is written on parchment- a very brittle type of information carrier. There is a
great danger in private and open use of such document. The document needs microfilming.
9
ASSESSMENT OF PRESERVATION
9.1
The collection is housed in an early 20th century building, specially built for the library. It has
central heating, air-conditioning. The document kept on special conditions in a safe. It is under permanent
care of conservators. In 1977-1979 the document was restored in the All-Union Reasearch Institute of
Restoration, Moscow, Russia. Restorer- I. Mokrezova.
PART C - LODGEMENT
This nomination is lodged by:
(Please print name),
Onyshchenko Oleksii Semenovych, Director General,
V.I Vernadsky National Library of Ukraine
(Signature)………………………………/ Onyshchenko Oleksii Semenovych /
(Date)…01/06/ 2004……………………………………