Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries: Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 1880.12

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 77986

Introduction: This fragment is made up of three quires containing the Akolouthia of St Kyriaki Martyr (7th July). An ἀκολουθία is the collection of hymnographic-poetic texts used by the church to celebrate a saint on his or her feast day in the service or office. The fragment was acquired by Constantin von Tischendorf and bought from his heirs by Cambridge University Library in 1876. Dr Matteo Di Franco

Language(s): Greek

Akolouthia of St. Kyriaki (7th July)

Rubric: f. 1r Ἀκολουθία τῆς ἁγίας μάρτυρος Κυριακῆς ἐσπέρας εἰς τὸν μικρὸν ἐσπερινὸν ιστῶμεν[sic] στίχους δ ἦχος δ ως γεναῖον εν μάρτυσιν αθλοφορε γεωργιε(?) [sic]

Incipit: f. 1r Πολυόδυνα[sic] βάσανα. ὑποστᾶσα Πανένδοξε· ανδρικῶ φρονήματι ηὐτομόλησας· καὶ τῶν Ἑλλήνων σεβάσματα

Explicit: f. 24r ὕπαγε εἰς εἰρήνην, καὶ ἴσθι ὑγιὴς ἀπὸ τῆς μάστιγός σου. Κοινωνικόν Εις[sic] μνημόσυνον

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: ff. 1r-24v paper, folded in quarto. Watermark: crown with a star and a moon ( 65 × 37 mm. ) in the gutter, similar but not identical to Heawood 1131, whose countermark is a clover as well, but it differs from the one seen here. This example is undated, but similar watermarks date from second half of 16th until the early 17th century.

Extent: Fragment (quire) 24 leaves. 202 × 148 mm.

Foliation: The quires are foliated with the numbers 1-24, in Arabic numerals, in pencil, recto, upper right.

Collation

The fragment consists of three quaternions: Quires 1-3⁸ ff. 1r-24v

Condition

There are extensive water and brown stains throughout the quires and some pest damge on the lower margins, in particular on the first quire. The fragment is now sewn into a white paper cover.

Layout

One columns of 20 lines. 156 × 97 mm.

Hand(s)

The text was copied in an upright mixed minuscule script, in black ink, slanting to the right and angular, executed with rapidity with moderate variation in letter size.

Alpha often has an open eyelet, beta is bilobate with separated loops, the lower one stretched forward, gamma is present in majuscule form along with the minuscule one. Majuscule delta has an elongated and curved trait, epsilon is rendered with a rod if preceding gamma or chi. Theta is in both the open and closed forms, rho is open and traced in continuity with ypsilon The modern eta, modern nu and sigma telikon are present. Minuscule pi is written with an horizontal formed by a stroke curving upwards from the left-hand loop and connected to it by a vertical line. Psi has a cross-shape. The sigma telikon is present and so is iota mutum, though without consistency. Breathings are curved; accents do not join to letters or breathings.

This script has various similarities to that of the manuscript Cambridge, Christ's College, MS Rouse 263.

Decoration

One rope motif headpiece on f. 1r, outlined in black ink and points in red ink. A large pyle on f. 2v in black and red ink.

Decorated major initials in red ink on ff. 22v and 23v.

Coloured unicial initials in red ink throughout the quires.

Additions

The classmark and former classmark "T.28" have been added in the upper margin. Scattered scribbles, wider on ff. 2r and 24r.

Binding

The fragment is sewn into a white paper cover.

History

Origin: The style of script suggest that the fragment was written in the 17th century.

Provenance and Acquisition

Owned by the Biblical scholar Constantin von Tischendorf (1815-1874) .

Bought by the University Library from Tischendorf's executors in 1876.

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description based on P. Easterling, Hand-list of the additional Greek manuscripts in the University Library, Cambridge, in: Scriptorium 16, 1962, pp. 302-323: 307-308.

Availability

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card. For information on eligibility and admissions procedures, see Joining the Library). For further enquiries, and to confirm the availability of the manuscript, please contact the Special Collections Reading Room.

Bibliography

Hand-list of the additional Greek manuscripts in the University Library, Cambridge Scriptorium, Easterling, Patricia E. (16, 2, 302-323, 1962)

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

Digital Images

Cambridge Digital Library

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 1880.12

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