Western Medieval Manuscripts : Ephraem Syrus

Western Medieval Manuscripts

<p style='text-align: justify;'>This manuscript contains a collection of ascetic texts, comprising a series of sermons by <i>Ephraem Syrus</i>, and a few hagiographical works. Ephraem Syrus (ca. 306-373 CE) was a theologian and hymnographer; his works were written originally in Syrian, and afterwards translated into Greek. </p><p style='text-align: justify;'>MS Add. 3047 was written in the middle of the 16th century: according to a colophon on <a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(649);return false;'> f. 321r</a>, the hieromonk Dionysios completed his copying on 31st January 1550. Scattered notes scribbled in the margins of the manuscript, and two notes mentioning a hieromonk and a proigoumenos, suggest that the book was used for a time in a monastic setting. It was in this context that the manuscript was also probably restored after it suffered damage. In addition to dirt and water stains throughout the book, the leaves (particularly in the final part) are badly damaged. Pieces of paper have been attached to these damaged leaves, in order to stabilise them. On the last leaf of the manuscript, <a href='' onclick='store.loadPage(652);return false;'>f. 322</a>, one of these pieces of paper bears notes in black ink that refer to the proigoumenos Raphael.</p><p style='text-align: justify;'>Dr. Erika Elia</p>