Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Zir Ganela Gospels
Ethiopia, 1400-1401
MS M.828 fol. 11v

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1) Christ: Miracle of raising Lazarus -- Group of nimbed figures surrounding Christ cross-nimbed, roll in right hand, left hand raised toward Mary and Martha, both of Bethany, each nimbed, veiled, one bowing, the other prostrate; to right, nimbed male figures, including one with draped right hand covering nose and left hand indicating Lazarus nimbed, wrapped in grave clothes, another carrying tomb cover; additional nimbed witnesses on fol. 12r;
inscriptions, “How Our Lord raised Lazarus”; “How Mary and Martha prostrated themselves at the feet of Our Lord”; “The Jews who came to console them”; and “How he opens the burial, holding his nose because of the corruption” (all Ge’ez);
below, 2) Christ: Entry into Jerusalem -- Twelve nimbed apostles, one holding cross-staff and swinging cross-surmounted censer, surrounding Christ cross-nimbed, mounted on ass, right hand extended, book in left hand; to right, two youths extending palm branches (scene continued on fol. 12r);
inscriptions, “How they cried Hosana”; “Our Lord riding upon the foal of an ass and He came to Jerusalem with His twelve disciples; and the elders and the children met him carrying branches of palm” (both Ge’ez).