Pentecost

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Armenian illuminated manuscripts

A collection of the best known and most characteristic illuminated manuscripts of the Armenian Church

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Armenian illuminated manuscripts form one of the most beautiful traditions of the Medieval Armenian art. The earliest surviving examples date from the 5th century, following the invention of the Armenian alphabet by Masrop Mashtots Մեսրոպ Մաշտոց (362-440). Very few fragments dated from the 5th-7th centuries have been survived. The oldest preserved in its entirety dates from the 9th century. 13th-14th centuries form the golden age of the Armenian calligraphy. Among the greatest Armenian miniaturists is Toros Roslin Թորոս Ռոսլին (1210-1270), who lived and worked in the Armenian kingdom of CIlicia.
Armenian Illuminated manuscripts are remarkable for their festive designs based on the Armenian  religious life and culture. lluminated manuscripts mostly recount the Holy Bible, in particular the Holy Gospels, as well as many aspects of the religious life and teachings of the Armenian Church. Most of the manuscripts were written and illustrated by monks. Armenian monasteries have been for centuries the centres of religious art and literature. Most of those manuscripts are exquisitely elaborated, covered in gilt and brilliant colors. It was a common belief that the beauty of the illustration could refresh the human mind and spirit.
Of the 31,000 Armenian manuscripts currently listed around the world, about 10,000 of them are ornamented, with 5,000 – 7,000 of them containing miniatures. Most of these manuscripts are preserved in the Matenadaran Institute of Yerevan (more than ten thousand manuscripts and fragments of manuscripts).

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»   The Holy Pentecost

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M7736G_21_Pentecost

The Holy Pentecost, by Hovhannes Sandghkavanetsi, 1060, Mugni Gospels, ms7736 Matenadaran collection

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1-02-jerusalem-pentecost

The Holy Pentecost, 1064, from Shukhra Khandaria, Cappadokia, ms1924 Jerusalem Armenian Patriarchate collection

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M10675G_Descent_Holy_Ghost

The Descent of the Holy Ghost, by Toros Roslin, Malatia Gospels, 1268, Hromkla monastery, ms10675 Matenadaran collection

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Taronatsi-Pentecost

The Holy Pentecost, by Toros Taronatsi, 1307, ms1917 Jerusalem Armenian Patriarchate 

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The Transfiguration of our Lord & the Holy Pentecost, by Sargis Pidzak, 1336, Sis, Cilicia, ms5786 Matenadaran collection

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Pentecost 1386 II.6

The Holy Pentecost, by monk Petros, 1386, Akhtamar, Van, ms II.6 Paul Getty museum

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The Holy Pentecost, by Aristakes Tzeruni, Aghtamar Gospels, 1391, Aghtamar, lake Van, ms8772 Matenadaran collection

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Pentecost our lady

The Holy Pentecost, by Aristakes Tzeruni, Aghtamar Gospels, 1391, Aghtamar, lake Van, ms8772 Matenadaran collection

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Pentecost 1450 5511

The Holy Pentecost, by Hovhaness of Khizan, 1450, ms5511 Matenadaran collection

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Pentecost 1575 4831
The Holy Pentecost, by Zakaria Knunetsi, 1575, Vaspurakan, ms4831 Matenadaran collection

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1610-msARM13-pentecost

The Holy Pentecost, by Mesrop Khzanetsi, 1609, The Bodleian Library

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1-walters547-pentecost

The Holy Pentecost, 1678, Constantinople, by priest Yakob Pēligratci, commissioned by Clav, son of Nawasard, as dedication to his sons, Astuacatur and Sahak, W.547 Walters collection

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»   The Last Judgement

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The Last Judgement, by Toros Roslin, 1262, W.539 Walters collection

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M10675G_Last_Judgement

The Last Judgement, by Toros Roslin, Malatia Gospels, 1268, Hromkla monastery, ms10675 Matenadaran collection

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